Sunday was a good day for both my picks,at Galway The Dabbler was 2nd. The 11/4 favourite was 4th at halfway,he made headway to challenge early on in the run-in disputing the lead just over a furlong out. He kept on well under pressure just failing to reach the winner Theatre World who won by a head. At Wexford Bold Emperor finished 3rd,the 6/1 chance disputed the lead early and despite a mistake at the 6th he recovered to lead at the 7th. He was soon clear but had his lead reduced from 3 out and he was passed soon after. He railed to lead again before the last but another mistake cost him. He had no extra and lost the lead inside the final 50 yards with the 9/1 shot Cushinstown Finest winning by 3/4 of a length.
Another busy week gets underway with 8 races at Galway and 7 at Wexford, the main event on a third day at Galway is the opener at 1.35 when 8 begin the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden. Timiyra produced her best performance when 2nd at Thurles almost 3 weeks ago. Despite being no match for the winner she should improve and has to be taken seriously. The Algarve ran much better than her debut when she finished 4th at Gowran Park 37 days ago. With further progress expected she should definitely be respected here. Looking at the rest of the field Native Queen looks good,this is her debut but this half-sister to Isotope and Flower Garland is impressive on paper. Her trainer Joseph O’Brien is on a good run and this interesting newcomer could surprise everyone.
At Wexford the feature contest on their second day comes at 3.30 when just 5 line-up for the listed Betvictor M.W. Hickey Memorial Chase. Eklat De Rire impressed when winning over fences at Punchestown and Naas last season and was in contention when he unseated Rachael Blackmore at the 12th in the Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham Festival when last seen in March. He should be one of the best staying chasers this season and get his campaign off to a winning start here. The two who should fill the other places are The Big Dog a useful chaser who won a handicap chase at Punchestown on his last outing back in February. He found something extra in the closing stages and despite being off 8 months he is a major player as is Fairyhill Run another useful chaser who has 4 wins from 8 runs this season her last was at Kilbeggan in August. She was a bit below form when 8th at Limerick 15 days ago but she can still challenge for minor honours.
Big race predictions: Galway: 6: Timiyra Wexford:2: Eklat De Rire.
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