We have enjoyed a cracking week of racing thanks to the Galway and Goodwood Festivals. Richard is lucky enough to be at the Galway Festival this weekend, so with that in mind I’ve included selections from both sides of the Irish Sea.
The feature betting race of the day is the Stewards’ Cup, where a field of 28 runners makes it an almost impossible puzzle for punters, with a case to be made for plenty of them. If pushed, I’d side with Dark Thirty each way. He has been in excellent form this season, winning a strong Class 2 at York before following up in a Class 3 at Chester. Last time out, he pulled well clear of the remainder when runner-up to Sondad in a competitive Curragh handicap. Sondad heads the market at the time of writing, but Dark Thirty is now 7lb better off at the weights and is officially 5lb well in.
Although a high draw has traditionally been an advantage in the Stewards’ Cup, the evidence from earlier this week suggests stall eight should be no disadvantage. I’m hoping he can go well and reward each-way support. He’s also worth keeping on side if he lines up at York later in the season.
There looks to be a great chance for a double in the middle of the Galway card, with Victory Speech and Gliondar both holding outstanding form claims for Aidan and Joseph O’Brien respectively.
17:05 Lingfield – BINTKNIGHT (6/4 Generally)
BINTKNIGHT won over this course and distance in May, and that form has worked out well, with the runner-up subsequently finishing second before getting off the mark.
Harry Charlton’s filly then finished second on handicap debut, where she still looked a little green but finished her race well. The form of that contest has also worked out well, with the winner having already scored beforehand and since finishing a close second, while the third has also filled the runner-up spot. Racing from just 1lb higher than last time, there should be plenty more to come after only three starts.
A well-bred daughter of Pinatubo, she has the potential to improve beyond these more exposed rivals and looks well placed to record a second career success.
17:35 Galway – APACHE OUTLAW (4/1 Generally)
There are a few with chances in this 7f handicap, but I would be surprised if any are better handicapped than APACHE OUTLAW, who has been a real eye-catcher on his last two starts and was runner-up over this course and distance last year off an 8lb higher mark.
He produced a cracking effort to finish third at the Curragh at the end of June despite getting quite warm beforehand and racing keenly. Beaten just a length and a half by a rival now rated 79 and only half a length behind one now rated 82, that form looks particularly strong considering he drops into a 0-70 here.
On his last two starts he has been desperately unlucky, travelling strongly and looking a major player before repeatedly finding no room at the business end of the race. He has won and competed with credit off marks more than 20lb higher than this and, with a clearer passage, should be right in the mix in a race that has surely been the target.
SATURDAY SELECTIONS
17:05 Lingfield – BINTKNIGHT (6/4 Generally)
17:35 Galway – APACHE OUTLAW (4/1 Generally)
*Odds correct at time of posting – 20:30 Friday 31st July
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Please note that although Matt has uploaded the tips, he is not our Racing Club Insider – the insider will remain anonymous!
