Galway Hurdle tips and runners guide to Galway 5.05 on Thursday
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Tudor City faces 19 rivals in his bid to become the first horse in history to win three renewals of the Galway Hurdle.
The 11-year-old sneaks into the race at the bottom of the race and runs off the same mark as 12 months ago when getting the better of Jesse Evans, who reopposes, by less than a length.
Willie Mullins saddles five runners including Zarak The Brave, who boasts plenty of decent form from his juvenile campaign, while Emmet Mullins will hope Filey Bay can score after placing in last season’s Betfair Hurdle and County Hurdle.
The latest Galway Hurdle odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Galway Hurdle tips
Timeform: ZARAK THE BRAVE has had no exposure to the hustle and bustle of a big-field handicap like this but he was talented enough to finish runner-up in Grade 1 juvenile company in the spring and his mark could be lenient. We know a bit more about Filey Bay bit his limit may not have been reached, with Brazil another to take very seriously.
Galway Hurdle runners
Fils D’oudairies
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Keith Donoghue Age: 8 Weight: 11st 12lbs
Career best when winning 13-runner Grimes Hurdle (18/1) at Tipperary (16f, good) 28 days ago by 2¾ lengths from Sharjah, kept up to work. Clearly in top form but has no margin for error from this mark.
***
Jesse Evans
Trainer: Noel Meade Jockey: Sean Flanagan Age: 7 Weight: 11st 9lbs
Didn’t need to be at best when winning 8-runner minor event at Leopardstown (15f, good, 13/8) 21 days ago, always holding on. That will have put her spot on for another crack at this (hit the frame last 2 years).
****
Filey Bay
Trainer: Emmet Mullins Jockey: S. D. Torrens Age: 7 Weight: 11st 5lbs
Another very good advert for his shrewd yard, bagging handicaps at Doncaster/Wincanton prior to advancing his form to occupy a place in big-field spring handicaps. Flat spin should have blown away the cobwebs. Tongue tie back on. Major claims.
****
Lucky Max
Trainer: Sean Thomas Doyle Jockey: M. J. M. O’Sullivan Age: 7 Weight: 11st 5lbs
Backward step when 27 lengths fifteenth of 18 to Bialystok in handicap hurdle at Punchestown (16.4f, good to soft) 100 days ago. Blinkers reached for.
**
Party Central
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: J. W. Kennedy Age: 7 Weight: 11st 5lbs
Disappointing on return to hurdling in May but back on track when winning 8-runner minor event on the level at Bellewstown (12.2f, good to soft, 4/6) 28 days ago by 3½ lengths from Jesse Evans, despite being slowly away. In top hands and revised mark does look fair.
***
Zarak The Brave
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: P. Townend Age: 4 Weight: 11st 5lbs
French Flat recruit who improved another chunk when runner-up in Grade 1 Juvenile company at Punchestown in April. 12 lengths third of 10 to Gala Marceau in Prix Alain du Breil at Auteuil (19.4f, soft) 74 days ago was just a fair effort but the assessor may have underestimated him.
*****
Brazil
Trainer: Padraig Roche Jockey: M. P. Walsh Age: 5 Weight: 11st 4lbs
2022 Fred Winter winner so can clearly cope with the demands of a race like this. Tongue strap on for first time when eighth of 10 in handicap at Killarney (8.1f, good to soft) 17 days ago, slowly away and that will have served a purpose. Cheekpieces reached for back hurdling.
****
My Mate Mozzie
Trainer: Gavin Patrick Cromwell Jockey: C. M. Quirke Age: 7 Weight: 11st 4lbs
Could manage only mid-field in this last year but better than ever when third in a deep handicap at Listowel in September. Warmed up for this with a smooth win in maiden company on the level.
***
Cash Back
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: Kieran Callaghan Age: 11 Weight: 11st 3lbs
Smart chaser but just a respectable 4½ lengths third of 13 to Fils D’oudairies in Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary (16f, good) 28 days ago. Back in a handicap.
**
Bialystock
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: D. E. Mullins Age: 5 Weight: 11st 2lbs
Talented Flat performer in France and ended the spring firmly on the up over hurdles, big career best when winning 18-runner handicap hurdle at Punchestown (16.4f, good to soft) 100 days ago, travelling strongly. Limit not yet reached.
***
Magic Tricks
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: J. S. McGarvey Age: 7 Weight: 11st 2lbs
15 lengths ninth of 13 to Fils D’oudairies in Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary (16f, good, 66/1) 28 days ago. That was his first run for 17 months and this will reveal a lot more.
**
Mighty Tom
Trainer: Cian Michael Collins Jockey: Denis O’Regan Age: 8 Weight: 11st 2lbs
C&D winner. 9/2, career best when winning 14-runner handicap hurdle at Killarney (17f, good to soft) 81 days ago, suited by way race developed. Clearly in excellent order but this demands another jolt of progress.
***
Da Capo Glory
Trainer: Padraig Butler Jockey: M. P. O’Connor Age: 6 Weight: 11st 1lbs
Latest win in hurdle at Punchestown in June. 25/1, good 5½ lengths fifth of 13 to Fils D’oudairies in Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary (16f, good) 28 days ago. Well-run race over 2m will suit back in a handicap.
***
Icare Allen
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: A. P. Kelly Age: 5 Weight: 11st 1lbs
Respectable 10¼ lengths eighth of 13 to Fils D’oudairies in Grimes Hurdle (11/1) at Tipperary (16f, good) 28 days ago. That was a sound return to action and the assessor has given him a chance.
***
Prairie Dancer
Trainer: Joseph Patrick O’Brien Jockey: J. J. Slevin Age: 5 Weight: 11st 1lbs
Three wins from 10 runs in a productive 2022/23 campaign. Third of 8 in novice chase at Ballinrobe (17f, good, 10/1) on debut over fences 66 days ago. Switches from chase to hurdles. Blinkers back on.
**
Captain Conby
Trainer: E. Sheehy Jockey: D. J. O’Keeffe Age: 6 Weight: 11st 0lbs
Shaped quite well when sixth in the Coral Cup over 21f in March. 5 lengths seventh of 14 to Glan in maiden (22/1) at Roscommon (11.7f, good to soft) on Flat debut 30 days ago, not knocked about. Well-run 2m may suit him back over timber.
***
Gatsby Grey
Trainer: Oliver McKiernan Jockey: Phillip Enright Age: 7 Weight: 11st 0lbs
Failed to win last term and looked short of gears when 7 lengths fifth of 8 to Jesse Evans in minor event at Leopardstown (15f, good) 21 days ago. Switches from Flat to hurdles and this test may also be too sharp.
**
Merlin Giant
Trainer: Emmet Mullins Jockey: Donagh Meyler Age: 6 Weight: 11st 0lbs
Maiden hurdle winner at this meeting last year who didn’t need to improve to win 9-runner maiden at Down Royal (12.8f, good) 40 days ago, bit in hand. That should have put him spot on for this hurdles return.
****
Amir Kabir
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Sam Ewing Age: 6 Weight: 10st 13lbs
Had plenty of exposure on the level and won a maiden/novice over hurdles last year. Out of his depth when 25 lengths last of 5 to Impaire Et Passe in Champion Novices’ Hurdle (50/1) at Punchestown (19.4f, good to soft) 97 days ago. Makes handicap hurdle debut.
**
Tudor City
Trainer: A. J. Martin Jockey: L. A. McKenna Age: 11 Weight: 10st 13lbs
First repeat winner of this race in 2022. Didn’t need to improve to win 18-runner minor event (17/2) at the Curragh (12f, good) 34 days ago. Switches from Flat to hurdles and this likeable veteran will likely give it another good shot.
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