Mark Walsh rode a brilliant race to win the Galway Plate on Early Doors yesterday, and today's Hurdle is a quality renewal that will sustain our interest.
The going has turned to soft all over on the hurdle and chase tracks for the first of eight races behind closed doors at Ballybrit at 4.45.
Having not really been involved in punting and form analysis since Cheltenham, I feel refreshed and I am enjoying trying to work out the puzzles.
However, my view on Galway from a betting perspective is that it's difficult. If you are having an interest, keep it to small stakes.
I did burn the midnight oil last night though, trying to capture a Eureka moment, so here are my views on today's card.
Good luck!
6.45 Galway Hurdle
Betting is not about how many winners you have, it's about how much profit you make.
Therefore, in the Galway Hurdle, I like two horses and I have backed both of them each way with five places on offer and six places with some bookmakers.
The Willie Mullins trained Buildmeupbuttercup at 8/1 is a horse that will need to be produced late under jockey Paul Townend, as she has a high cruising speed, but did flatten up the hill when looking like the winner in Cheltenham's County Hurdle.
Townend delivered Indian Pace very late to win this race back in 2009, a victory that helped place the Corkman on the map.
Buildmeupbuttercup did win a race at Galway last year and with improvement to come at six-years-of-age, it's hard to see a wall of horses ahead of this mare. She might not win, but she could be an each-way bet to nothing.
The other one I like is Charli Parcs at 16/1. This was once a very promising juvenile for Nicky Henderson in England. Aidan Anthony Howard took over the training responsibilities at the Curragh and Charli Parcs bolted up under similar conditions to today at Leopardstown back in March. There could be more to come under 10 stone 6 with pilot Simon Torrens taking off seven pounds in the colours of JP McManus and there's already been early market support for the horse.
5.15 Beginners Chase
When I sized up this race, I didn't think it was of great quality - that led me back to the favourite, Doctor Duffy, who is consistent over the 2 mile 6 furlong trip and has won three times over hurdles for in-form trainer Charles Byrnes.
Sometimes the answer is actually straightforward and at odds of 15/8, Doctor Duffy may be the answer. Cathal Landers rides.
6.15 Handicap Hurdle
An in-depth study of a card unearths nuggets of information that influences one's judgement. Odds are only an opinion of a horse's chances - one attractive profile that caught my eye was of Stylish Moment at a price of 14/1 each way.
Eoin Doyle's horse is a chase winner that warmed up for the Festival by running at Bellewstown. He could reward value backers under claiming jockey Hugh Morgan.
7.45 Handicap Hurdle
Another 14/1 shot I spotted for a small each-way investment was Moyode Gold for trainer James Nash.
This horse will only carry 10 stone 3 under Gavin Brouder and there may be more to come after a win at Fairyhouse was followed by two second-place finishes.
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