Jane Mangan’s William Hill blog: Galway Day Two Preview

William Hill ambassador Jane Mangan previews Day Two of the Galway Festival.

Tuesday, Galway

We begin with the Colm Quinn BMW Novice Hurdle (16.50) where I expect Willie Mullins to get off to a fast start with Gaucher. He was so impressive at Punchestown last time when winning by 15 lengths under minimal pressure, beating a useful mare in Kimy that day. I think he’s learning to settle and race properly, and the small field should make Paul Townend’s task simpler. I like his chances.

The Latin Quarter Beginners Chase (17.25) was won last year by the ever-popular Sharjah, but I expect the prize to go to a smaller stable this year in Jet Setting Jim for John Queally. He fell at the last on chase debut at Tipperary when he had the beating of the Thecompanysergeant, who reopposes here. It was a very unlucky fall and if his confidence isn’t affected, I think he will be hard to beat.

In the Caulfield Industrial Irish EBF Maiden (18.40). This looks a good opportunity for Dermot Weld’s Yaxchilan. He ran a promising race on debut at Navan where he finished well and has now been equipped with a tongue strap. I expect improvement here for some top connections, and he’s my idea of the winner.

The Colm Quinn BMW Mile Handicap (19.10) is next where we’ve got a full field. There’s always a fantastic story in this race, like in 2022 when small trainer Brian Duffy teamed up with champion jockey Colin Keane to win with Magic Chegaga. They’re teaming up again with Plume Noire, who has a good draw in stall eight. She won at Naas in May, getting a six-pound rise, and subsequently finished second behind Indigo Five on Irish Derby Day. This confirmed that she’s an improving mare and I think she still has something in hand off a mark of 90. The champion jockey would’ve had other options but stayed loyal to the mare here, so I am going to do the same thing.

In the caulfieldindustrial.com Handicap (19.45), I think it’s intriguing that Alpha Capture, an export out of William Haggas’ yard, is in here representing Willie Mullins. It was difficult to see even the master of Closutton being able to turn this horse’s form around, it was that moderate. However, he won well at Killarney last time, only getting a three-pound rise for that, and it should’ve done his confidence the world of good. They’ve removed the hood, as they must feel it’s not necessary and that they’ve now got more of a hold on the horse, who must retain potential. Champion jockey Colin Keane is on, and I think he can follow up from last time here.