THERE ARE A lot of tricky puzzles on the opening day of the Galway Races and if the rain keeps falling throughout Monday lunchtime, the going will be even softer by the time the first race goes to post.
Unsurprisingly, Dermot Weld saddles a couple of short-priced fancies on day one including the 5/4 shot True Solitaire in the 7f Maiden Stakes (6.15pm).
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‘The King of Ballybrit’ has won this race six times in the last nine years so it’s no surprise to see him head up the market with a two-year-old who showed plenty of potential when second at Gowran Park on his debut last month.
Aiden O’Brien is the only man to beat Weld in the race since 2006, saddling the other three winners, and he has two live chances in Johannes Vermeer, ridden by Seamie Heffernan, and debutant Unicorn in the hands of son Joseph.
Johannes Vermeer never really challenged when third in Tipperary just over a fortnight ago, though he is surely open to improvement, while Unicorn has a hint of heavy-ground form through his brother Bondi Beach.
It seems if anything can upset the favourite, it is Jim Bolger’s BRONTIDE, so often the bridesmaid but not yet the bride.
He has been second on three occasions already this season and at 8/1, it is tempting to make the case for him to go one better.
He was beaten by a good horse in Tonkinese the first day before dropping back to 6f, and then losing to another Weld horse in Foxtrot Charlie over a mile earlier this month.
If True Solitaire is as good as the market suggests, and another near miss sees Brontide finish in the top three, an each-way punt would still see you recoup your stake plus some extra pocket change.
Our 8/1 tip for the Galway Races today
THERE ARE A lot of tricky puzzles on the opening day of the Galway Races and if the rain keeps falling throughout Monday lunchtime, the going will be even softer by the time the first race goes to post.
Unsurprisingly, Dermot Weld saddles a couple of short-priced fancies on day one including the 5/4 shot True Solitaire in the 7f Maiden Stakes (6.15pm).
‘The King of Ballybrit’ has won this race six times in the last nine years so it’s no surprise to see him head up the market with a two-year-old who showed plenty of potential when second at Gowran Park on his debut last month.
Aiden O’Brien is the only man to beat Weld in the race since 2006, saddling the other three winners, and he has two live chances in Johannes Vermeer, ridden by Seamie Heffernan, and debutant Unicorn in the hands of son Joseph.
Johannes Vermeer never really challenged when third in Tipperary just over a fortnight ago, though he is surely open to improvement, while Unicorn has a hint of heavy-ground form through his brother Bondi Beach.
It seems if anything can upset the favourite, it is Jim Bolger’s BRONTIDE, so often the bridesmaid but not yet the bride.
He has been second on three occasions already this season and at 8/1, it is tempting to make the case for him to go one better.
He was beaten by a good horse in Tonkinese the first day before dropping back to 6f, and then losing to another Weld horse in Foxtrot Charlie over a mile earlier this month.
If True Solitaire is as good as the market suggests, and another near miss sees Brontide finish in the top three, an each-way punt would still see you recoup your stake plus some extra pocket change.
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