Racecards
14:25 Galway (IRE)
St.james's Gate Novice Chase
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 2m 1f
- Going: Good to Firm
- Surface: Turf
- €26,000 added
- Form 7-1111P
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 126
held up towards rear early, 6th halfway, headway into 4th 3 out, ridden into 2nd after last, challenged entering straight, no extra in 3rd closing stages
- Form F0-8113
- Age 6
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 128
held up towards rear, fell 4 out
- Form 906-021
- Age 6
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer E J O'Grady
- Jockey Andrew J McNamara
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along approaching 2 out, stayed on in 3rd entering straight, soon challenged, disputed closing stages, just held close home
- Form 4359-17
- Age 6
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer A McGuinness
- Jockey B J Geraghty
chased leaders in 3rd, improved to lead and dispute before 4 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden after last, challenged entering straight, disputed closing stages, prevailed close home
- Form 1P2-231
- Age 7
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer Evan Williams
- Jockey Paul Moloney
led, slight mistake 4th, disputed before 4 out, ridden in 2nd and mistake 2 out, no extra after last, weakened
- Form 2-P3913
- Age 8
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 118
- Trainer G J O'Keeffe
- Jockey P Townend
held up behind leaders early, 7th halfway, dropped towards rear before 5 out, weakened and pulled up before 2 out
- Form 30-1142
- Age 8
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 123
- Trainer A Lynch
- Jockey Paul Carberry
disputed early, soon chased leader in 2nd, 3rd before 4 out, ridden in 4th last, no extra entering straight, kept on same pace
- Form 0FF4-11
- Age 8
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 121
- Trainer R A Cotter
- Jockey P F Mangan
chased leaders, 4th halfway, fell 4 out
Verdict
Edward O'Grady has won this three times in recent years but his Armaramak looks to have plenty to do despite a recent success at Limerick. Adajal reportedly lost his action when attempting a five-timer at Wexford but was beaten at the time and has to concede weight all round. Cruising Katie was a fortunate winner at Limerick in May but had no problems following up there subsequently when easily beating Coscorrig. BEAU MICHAEL warmed up for this with a victory on the flat at Ballinrobe and he gets the vote here as he has improved with each run over fences as he showed when beating Norther Bay at Limerick. UK raider Blacktoft scooted home at Newton Abbot but this is very much tougher.
Formwatch
Adajal (IRE) 10-3fav (11-10) Mid-division, 5th 4 out, ridden in 4th when mistake 2 out, no impression in 5th when pulled up quickly before last, dismounted, rider reported his mount lost action, in a race won by Don't Be Bitin (12-0) at Wexford 2m 1f hcp chs gd in Jun, 11 ran.
Tribes And Banner (IRE) 11-4fav (10-10) Tracked leaders in 4th, mistake 3rd, ridden after 3 out, 3rd and kept on from last, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Schelm (11-3) at Killarney 2m 1f chs gd.
Armaramak (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Always prominent, 3rd halfway, 2nd 4 out, close up travelling well entering straight, ridden to challenge from 2 out, stayed on from last to lead 100 yards from finish, won at Limerick 2m 1f beg chs gf beating Celtic Strand (11-1) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Beau Michael 11-2 (11-0) Prominent, 3rd entering straight, soon ridden and no impression, 7th of 9, 37l behind The Last Derby (11-0) at Cork 2m 4f hdl gf.
Blacktoft (USA) 12-1 (10-12) Made all, clear approaching last, very easily, won at Newton Abbot 2m nov chs (3) gf in Jun beating Gee Dee Nen (11-4) by 8l, 5 ran.
Who's Deal (IRE) 6-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders in 5th, progress into 3rd 2 out, soon ridden, no extra from last, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Don't Be Bitin (10-11) at Tipperary 2m 1f chs gf in Jun.
Coscorrig (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Led from 4th, well clear before 6th, reduced advantage 5 out, headed after 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Cruising Katie (10-10) at Limerick 2m 3f nov chs gf.
Cruising Katie (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders in moderate 4th, closer 3rd halfway, 2nd from 5 out, led after 3 out, clear from next, kept on well, comfortably, won at Limerick 2m 3f nov chs gf beating Coscorrig (11-7) by 10l, 8 ran.
Echo Bob (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Led, strongly pressed from 3 out, headed last, no chance with winner, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Tribes And Banner (11-9) at Roscommon 2m nov chs gf in Jun.
Mister Bishop (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Led, clear before halfway, reduced lead from 4 out, fell 3 out, in a race won by Golden Kite (10-12) at Kilbeggan 2m 6f hcp chs gd, 14 ran.