Barry Geraghty’s William Hill blog: Realise a Lifetime Ambition in Galway Plate

William Hill ambassador Barry Geraghty offers his thoughts on some competitive action from Galway, including the Galway Plate and Galway Hurdle.

Galway, Wednesday

This year’s Galway Plate (6.40pm) looks a typically competitive and high-class race.

Last year’s winner Hewick looks to have a good chance, but he has a lot of weight to shoulder and he isn’t the biggest horse in the world. Brian Hughes is coming over to take the mount, which is a positive.

Kilcruit is the obvious favourite. He was very impressive at the Punchestown Festival, but then disappointed when finishing behind Hewick in the French Champion Hurdle. He might have found the ground in Auteuil a little bit heavy whereas the Punchestown ground that he won on was similar to what he’s likely to encounter at Galway.

Of the others, I thought Final Orders is a horse with a big chance. He was fifth in the Grand Annual at the Festival where he just looked to be outpaced before finishing strongly. Prior to that, he had won five on the bounce over a range of trips from two to three miles. I think he’s a versatile sort and, if the ground isn’t too soft, I think he’ll have a big chance.

However, the one I really fancy is Jessie Harrington’s LIFETIME AMBITION. He was second to The Big Dog in the Troytown in Navan last November and they pulled 15 lengths clear of the third. Had he not made a mistake at the last, he could very easily have won. The Big Dog went on to finish third in the Welsh Grand National, so it shows the level that Lifetime Ambition was operating at.

Lifetime Ambition might not be fully exposed and could still on the up. He’ll handle conditions, whether they get wetter or drier, and is a good jumper. I think he’s at his best when he’s fresh and he’s a horse that could run well at a reasonably fancy price.

Other races

UP AND UNDER finished fifth in the Irish Derby and was second behind Sprewell in a Group 3 the time before. He should take some stopping in the maiden for amateur riders (5.40pm).

Galway, Thursday

Once again, the Galway Hurdle (5.05pm) looks a wide-open event.

Filey Bay made a couple of bad mistakes on his penultimate start in the County Hurdle at the Festival, which didn’t help his case, but he was only beaten a couple of lengths, so it was a good run. He’s only had six starts over hurdles and is still open to improvement. He has a good bit of pace, so I think the race will suit him and he goes there with a big chance.

Fils D’oudairies put up a good performance to beat Sharjah in Tipperary last time at what is a sharp track. He’s a horse that was formerly trained by Nicky Henderson and would have done a good bit of his racing over two-and-a-half miles, so I would think the test that Galway provides, compared to the quick track at Tipperary, may still bring about some improvement from him. He’s really stepped up on what he’s done previously in his last two runs and is another with a chance.

You need a little bit of forgiveness to support BRAZIL, but he’s a horse I like. He won the Boodles two seasons ago when he beat Gaelic Warrior. He won well in Naas last November and then was second in Limerick, but he has been a bit disappointing since then. He warmed up for this with a run on the Flat in Killarney last month and I think he’s a horse who still has potential. The fact Mark Walsh rides is interesting and first-time cheekpieces could help as well.

Of the others, Mighty Tom put up a big show when winning at Killarney in May. He went up 11 pounds for that but he was very impressive and I think this track will suit him.

Other races

In the Grade 3 novice chase (2.45pm), HERCULE DU SEUIL has looked very impressive. He put up a big performance in a graded race in Fairyhouse at Easter, which was his last hurdles start. Although he was beaten on his debut over fences, he’s won easily in two starts since. He could be a horse with a lot of potential.

The novice hurdle (4.30pm) is a competitive race, but I like ENCANTO BRUNO. He’s a horse that has some nice Cheltenham form from last autumn when he won a bumper. He was disappointing in the Champion Bumper, but he jumped brilliantly on his first start over hurdles at Bellewstown last month. He’s another interesting horse with plenty of potential.