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

William Hill ambassador Jane Mangan previews Day 3 from the Galway Festival.

Wednesday, Galway

We start with the Maiden Hurdle (16.50) where Willie Mullins is trebly represented in a race he’s won four times out of the last five renewals. However, I am going to take him on with Don’tstopthemusic here for Martin Brassil, Sean Mulryan and J J Slevin. He won a bumper in Punchestown, travelling to the two-furlong pole on the bridle. He has experience over hurdles previously, and now a seven-year-old, and I think he will win the opener.

Next up we have the Handicap Hurdle (17.25). There’s a maximum field of 20 heading to post here, with JP McManus represented by three runners, and I like his first string So They Tell Me. A five-year-old gelding by Flemensfirth, he was impressive last time out, winning a handicap hurdle from Donkey Years who is useful. He got a seven-pound penalty for that, but I think this is a progressive horse who is ahead of the handicapper and will take all the beating here.

The third race, the Irish EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle (18.00), is where I’m keen on Enfranchise for Shark Hanlon. She ran with credit on Day One of the Galway Festival in the amateur riders’ feature, and this will be her first start over hurdles since she broke maiden last year at the Galway Festival. This is her handicap debut; she starts off 123 which I think is fair for a filly who has the class to win at Listed level on the Flat. With Danny Mullins booked, having gone close on Monday, I think she can go even closer here.

The Maiden (18.40) for amateur riders looks wide open and I like Alfheim. Her run behind Hanalia is a standout piece of form here and she didn’t disgrace herself in the Irish Oaks at all. The Jessie Harrington filly improved markedly from debut, and if she can improve again, it’ll make her very hard to beat. David Doyle is great value for his seven-pound claim, and his mount is the one for me.

My fancy for the Galway Plate (19.10) is Perceval Legallois for JP McManus and Gavin Cromwell. He has five runs over fences and is highly progressive. His run behind Hgranca de Thaix in Punchestown over two miles and five furlongs was a good effort and the extra two furlongs here will suit him in my mind. He’s a course winner, winning his beginners’ chase here last year. Gavin Cromwell is an excellent target-trainer, and this will have been the plan for some time I feel, so he’s my idea of the winner in this big field.