Racecards
17:30 Galway (IRE)
TheTote.com Galway Plate (Handicap Chase) (Grade A) (Class 1)
- 22 Runners
- Distance: 2m 6f 111y
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- €220,000 added
- Winner: €129,800
- 2nd: €41,800
- 3rd: €19,800
- 4th: €8,801
- Form 31232-F
- Age 9
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 162
- Trainer N Meade
- Jockey B J Cooper
led, bad mistake 3rd, headed after 5th, lost place and mistake 3 out, pulled up approaching 2 out
- Form 16P24-1
- Age 8
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 153
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey P Townend
soon chased leaders on inner, not much room briefly after 2 out, 6th approaching straight, soon challenged and every chance, 2nd and kept on without matching winner close home
- Form 15642/6
- Age 8
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 153
- Trainer A Fleming
- Jockey D F O'Regan
soon mid-division towards inner, pushed along before 4 out where slight mistake, some headway but no impression and slight mistake last, kept on same pace
- Form 83-5112
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 152
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey J W Kennedy
chased leaders, 2nd before straight, soon every chance, one pace closing stages
- Form 01740-7
- Age 8
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 151
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey J J Burke
prominent, on terms briefly from 3rd, lost place and no extra approaching 2 out, completely tailed off
- Form 11611-2
- Age 9
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 150
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey D J Mullins
tracked leaders, closed up 6th, 3rd before straight, soon every chance, one pace closing stages
- Form 17-1337
- Age 9
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 149
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey K C Sexton
towards rear, closer order when not fluent last, soon no impression, kept on same pace
- Form 195/400-
- Age 7
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 149
- Trainer D K Weld
- Jockey B S Hughes
towards rear, some headway from before 2 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace
- Form 50/1151-
- Age 7
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 148
- Trainer Miss E C Lavelle
- Jockey Aidan Coleman
tracked leaders, under pressure and lost place from 3 out, soon weakened
- Form PF-435F
- Age 11
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 147
- Trainer M F Morris
- Jockey S W Flanagan
soon mid-division, some headway from before 8th, slight mistake 3 out, no extra from next
- Form 15PF-52
- Age 6
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 147
- Trainer C Bowe
- Jockey Adrian Heskin
tracked leaders, lost place and no extra from last
- Form 935U6-F
- Age 9
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 145
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
prominent, on terms 3rd, led after 5th, strongly pressed straight, headed closing stages, soon dropped to 3rd and one pace
- Form 23312-5
- Age 7
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 145
chased leaders, slight mistake last, 5th on outer before straight, led and stayed on well closing stages
- Form 7P8/46P-
- Age 9
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 144
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey L P Dempsey
held up, pushed along briefly 3rd, not fluent 4 out and under pressure, no extra approaching 2 out, completely tailed off
- Form 1223U-4
- Age 8
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 143
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey J M Moore
soon chased leaders towards outer, no extra from 2 out
- Form 0/6269-9
- Age 9
- Weight 9-13
- Official Rating 137
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey N P Madden
soon mid-division, no impression 2 out
- Form 19P52-9
- Age 8
- Weight 9-11
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer M F Morris
- Jockey A Ring
held up, no impression from 4 out, no extra approaching 2 out
- Form 22133-5
- Age 8
- Weight 9-11
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey D E Mullins
soon chased leaders, slight mistakes last 2, 4th before straight, soon every chance, one pace from 1f out
- Form 179-4P1
- Age 9
- Weight 9-11
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey A E Lynch
pushed along briefly early, soon mid-division, no impression 4 out, slight mistake next, no extra from 2 out
- Form 12270-0
- Age 7
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 133
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey Ms N Carberry
towards rear, some headway after 3 out, no impression before next, kept on same pace
- Form 1433-39
- Age 11
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 133
- Trainer S R B Crawford
- Jockey R C Colgan
soon towards rear, not fluent 1st and reminder early, detached 8th, pulled up before 5 out
- Form 200-217
- Age 11
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 132
- Trainer E Bolger
- Jockey M A Enright
held up, slight mistake 2nd, not fluent 5 out, no impression 2 out
- Form 0/U48-48
- Age 11
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 132
- Form 9/46P9-P
- Age 9
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 131
Verdict
This normally ultra-competitive handicap could be at the mercy of ROAD TO RICHES, who bids to regain the Plate crown he won in 2014. Noel Meade's classy chaser is on a 13lb higher mark this time, which is hardly surprising given his superb subsequent form which has included victories in two Grade 1's and a close third to Coneygree in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He was still in the lead when falling at the second last in the Punchestown version in April and should prove too good for these. Shanahan's Turn won the race last year and will be primed for another big run despite being 9lb higher though Alelchi Inois, who finished a very good sixth, arrives in better form and can reverse the positions. However, Ruby Walsh has chosen to ride the stable's Ballycasey and though he hasn't won for some time he's a smart performer on his day at this level and looks a threat. Emma Lavelle, whose horses are in tremendous form, sends Junction Fourteen from Hampshire and the Grade 2 novice winner looks a lively outsider while Clarcam has had a couple of runs over hurdles since landing a Grade 3 over fences at Killarney.
Formwatch
Road To Riches (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Led, strongly pressed from 4 out, pushed along and 1-length advantage when fell 2 out, at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Alelchi Inois (FR) 13-8fav (11-0) Held up in rear early, progress to track leaders 7th, left 3rd at 10th, went 2nd and ridden after 2 out, improved to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Punchestown 2m 6f gd in Jun beating Sadler's Risk (11-0) by 1l, 7 ran.
The Tullow Tank (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, no impression before straight, kept on one pace, 6th of 10, 18l behind Ivan Grozny (11-0) at Tipperary 2m (1) Yielding in Jul.
Clarcam (FR) 11-8 (11-6) Raced in 2nd, slight mistake 5th, closed up 7th, pushed along after 4 out, not go with winner from next, one pace, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Bamako Moriviere (11-12) at Bellewstown 2m 4f Yielding in Jul.
Shanahan's Turn (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Led and disputed, headed 5th, slight mistake 7th, 5th at next, ridden and no extra before 3 out, 7th of 10, 17 1/2l behind Elegant Statesman (10-1) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp gd in Jun.
Devils Bride (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders on outer, bad mistake 2nd, went 2nd 4 out, close 2nd entering straight, not fluent 2 out and ridden, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Mr Fiftyone (11-2) at Punchestown 2m 2f gd in Jun.
Bright New Dawn (IRE) 16-1 (12-0) Towards rear and 11th halfway, 10th before 3 out, no impression under pressure in 8th before last, 7th of 13, 14 1/4l behind Lilly The Lioness (9-10) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp gd in Jul.
Three Kingdoms (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Rear of mid-division, 11th halfway, ridden on outer in 8th 2f out, no impression 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 6 1/4l behind Papa's Way (8-8) at Curragh 2m hcp Yielding in Jun.
Junction Fourteen (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Led 2nd, made rest, clear before last, driven run-in, always holding on, won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr beating Volnay De Thaix (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
First Lieutenant (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Raced 6th, 5th at 7th, 6th after 9th, weakened before 4 out, soon ridden towards rear, no impression in 10th, fell 3 out, at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hcp Yielding - Soft in Jul.
Shantou Flyer (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved to challenge after 4 out, disputed after 3 out, ridden 2 out, kept on well, just failed at line, 2nd of 10, shd behind Elegant Statesman (10-1) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp gd in Jun.
Ballycasey (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear early, went 3rd at 5th, improved to dispute lead at 9th, fell next, at Punchestown 2m 6f gd in Jun.
Lord Scoundrel (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, bumped by rival 2nd, 4th halfway, pushed along in 7th 2 out, ridden and no impression in 6th before last, kept on one pace, 5th of 15, 9 1/4l behind Avant Tout (11-8) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp Yielding in Apr.
Home Farm (IRE) 50-1 (10-4) Always behind, blundered 7th, (1st foinavon), tailed off when pulled up before 21st, at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
Sizing Platinum (IRE) 9-4 (11-7) Led, headed 4th, pushed along 8th, dropped to 4th and ridden 4 out, soon no impression in moderate 4th, 4th of 5, dist behind Mr Fiftyone (11-2) at Punchestown 2m 2f gd in Jun.
It's A Gimme (IRE) 18-1 (11-6) Held up, in mid-division, headway 7th, weakened before 3 out, 9th of 11, 31 1/4l behind Sharp Rise (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Ravished (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, led before 2nd, 20 lengths clear after 4th, reduced advantage at 7th, headed 3 out, soon dropped to 5th and ridden, bad mistake 2 out, soon 7th and weakened, tailed off, 9th of 14, dist behind Tulsa Jack (9-12) at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hcp Yielding - Soft in Jul.
Shadow Catcher 25-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, pushed along from 4 out and no impression, 5th of 6, 20 1/4l behind Simenon (11-0) at Cork 2m 4f gd in Jul.
The King Of Brega (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, led and disputed from 6th, led 3 out, 5-lengths clear before straight, slight mistake 2 out, pushed out and kept on strongly run-in, easily, won at Limerick 2m 6f hcp gd in Jul beating King Leon (11-5) by 12l, 11 ran.
Killer Crow (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Mid-division, slight mistake and ridden 3 out, soon no extra, 11th of 17, 33 3/4l behind Irish Cavalier (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Yes Tom (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, slight mistake 6th, ridden before 3 out where hampered, soon weakened and completely tailed off, 9th of 10, dist behind Elegant Statesman (10-1) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp gd in Jun.
Cantlow (IRE) 13-2 (10-8) Towards rear, 10th after 9th, driven in 8th before 3 out, no extra, tailed off, 7th of 14, dist behind Tulsa Jack (9-12) at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hcp Yielding - Soft in Jul.
Realt Mor (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Mid-division, closer in 6th 3 out, ridden and no impression next, no extra before last, 8th of 10, 18 3/4l behind Elegant Statesman (10-1) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp gd in Jun.
Balnaslow (IRE) 22-1 (10-8) Rear, reminders after 4th, ridden after 7th, no impression, pulled up before 9th, at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hcp Yielding - Soft in Jul.
Rossvoss 8-1 (9-7) Mid-division and 7th halfway, ridden and switched left over 2f out, soon improved to challenge, no impression in 3rd from 1f out and dropped to 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 10 3/4l behind Zeftan (9-7) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp gd in Jul.