Galway Festival Marathon Begins

Hi all,

Inside today's main piece, I’ll review the highlights from Saturday's action at Ascot and York. Plus, I’m looking at the feature race on day one of the Galway Festival.

Saturday’s King George VI set the stage for a thrilling week of top-class racing at ‘Glorious' Goodwood and Galway. Ascot and York delivered exciting cards, with standout performances that did not disappoint.

Let's kick off with a review of Saturday's action at Ascot.

Ascot

Goliath’s Colossal King George Performance

French challenger Goliath, at 25/1, delivered a stunning upset in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes. As expected, Hans Anderson set a strong pace to benefit stablemate and favourite Auguste Rodin. However, this strategy backfired, inadvertently setting up the race for Goliath.

Hans Anderson faded four furlongs out, with Luxembourg taking the lead. Rebel’s Romance then moved ahead, but Goliath, cruising behind, took over in the final furlong to win comfortably by 2 ¼ lengths from Bluestocking.

Bluestocking, coming from further back than Goliath had no chance with an impressive winner. Rebel’s Romance, despite being prominently positioned, finished third, having paid for being close to the strong pace.

Auguste Rodin faded a furlong out, finishing behind Sunway. Goliath thrived on the strong pace, a rarity in France, or even when he was runner-up here in the Hardwicke Stakes. Despite being a gelding and thus ineligible for the Arc, Goliath proved he’s among the best middle-distance horses in Europe in victory.

Aidan O’Brien blamed Auguste Rodin’s poor performance on the ground, suggesting it was softer near the rail. I have to say I was concerned when I heard that they had watered overnight. However, Ryan Moore’s choice to ride on this supposed softer ground raises questions, especially given the times suggesting firmer conditions.

The race highlighted the failure of team tactics, as Hans Anderson and Luxembourg seemed more focused on assisting Auguste Rodin than winning. I’m not against pacemakers per se but allowing your stablemate a clear run and at the same time hindering your opponent’s chances isn’t unacceptable. Such tactics, against the Rules of Racing, might not face official scrutiny, but they certainly shouldn’t go unnoticed and should be commented on by those in the racing media.

Simmering Comes to the Boil

Simmering got off the mark at the third attempt when winning the Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes. Following a runner-up finish to Fairy Godmother in the Albany Stakes, she needed every yard of the 6f trip. A step up to 7f looks likely.

Friendly Soul’s Valiant Success

Friendly Soul rebounded from a disappointing Musidora Stakes to claim the Group 3 Valiant Stakes, displaying the form that won her the Pretty Polly Stakes. Leading from the start, she utilised her long stride to fend off Doom, who couldn’t match the winner's pace in the closing stages. Favourite Devoted Queen, awkward away, was never travelling afterwards and may have injured herself at the start.

First Time Cheekpieces Sharpen Up Northern Express

Northern Express, equipped with first-time cheekpieces, made all the running to win the valuable International Stakes (Heritage Handicap). Jockey Paul Mulrennan expertly managed a big field, holding off the closers New Image and Fresh. New Image, continuing his recent improvement, seems ready for a mile, with the valuable 1m handicap at York’s Ebor Festival being a logical target.

I was really surprised to see Northern Express at 18/1 on Saturday morning. On my tissue this consistent performer was 10/1. Granted he was handicapped right up to his best, but the first-time headgear might just eke out the bit of improvement he needed to win off a mark of 102. Had I got his price wrong or had the bookies? On this occasion it was the latter.

Northern Express’s victory, a selection for Victor Value subscribers, followed Mount Atlas’s 14/1 win on Friday, offering fantastic returns for those who joined the service in time for Goodwood & Galway.

York

In the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes, a lack of pace made for a tactical race. As I mentioned in Saturday’s column it was never going to be a betting race for yours truly given the pace set up.

King’s Gambit reluctantly led, setting a slow pace. Alflaila, last year’s winner, settled well under Jim Crowley and caught King’s Gambit in the final stages.  Alflaila, a York specialist, remains a contender for the Juddmonte International. Albeit he might be just shy of Group 1 level.

You could argue that Callum Shepherd should have ridden a better race on the runner-up as he created what was a 3f sprint finish. I think a certain Frankie Dettori would have taken charge of the race on King’s Gambit and won it.

Passenger, third, suffered a setback, later confirmed to be a fracture of his off fore, likely ending his season. I think Passenger had been given an easy enough return to action with future targets in mind. That’s obviously backfired now.

Galway Festival

‘Glorious’ Goodwood kicks off tomorrow, with the weather looking promising. Meanwhile, the Galway Festival starts this evening with a seven-race card. This vibrant event is a highlight of the Irish summer racing calendar, featuring the renowned Galway Plate and Galway Hurdle among other exciting races over the next seven days.

The festival, blending flat and NH races with a lively social scene, significantly boosts Galway’s economy and attracts a diverse crowd. It's a must-see event, whether you're a racing fan or just looking for a good time.

I'll focus my betting on Goodwood this week but will also have some bets in the major races at the Galway Festival.

Source: Racing Post

Flat Course: The track features a right-handed, flat course that is approximately 1 mile and 5 furlongs in length. The course is generally considered to be testing due to its undulating. The undulating nature of the flat course can benefit horses with a good cruising speed and a 2f uphill run-in can put a premium on stamina, especially on testing ground

National Hunt Course: The National Hunt course, which is used for jumps racing, is also right-handed. It features an undulating layout with several challenging fences and hurdles. The course layout favours horses with a good jumping technique and stamina. Like the flat track there’s a 2f uphill run-in.  

Galway Festival Day 1

Connacht Hotel Handicap at Galway Festival (7:10)

The Connacht Hotel Handicap is the standout race on day one of the Galway Festival. This amateur riders' race offers a generous prize of €64,900 to the winner and features twenty runners, making it a highly competitive contest.

Key Contenders

Alphonse Le Grande (73): This 5-year-old completed a hat trick with his win in the Northumberland Vase last month. While softer ground and Galway's unique course present a new challenge, he remains relatively unexposed over staying distances.

Enfranchise (72): A versatile dual-purpose mare who has performed well at Galway before, including a runner-up finish in a Listed race (1m 4f) last September. She made a winning return in a Listed race (1m 6f) at Gowran Park in May.  Derek O’Connor an eyecatching jockey booking.

Teed Up (73): Last year’s winner, Teed Up boasts a formidable record at Galway (21121121) and comes into this race 7lb higher than last year. His consistent performance at this venue makes him a strong candidate despite the weight rise.

Shajak (73): Finished third in this race last year, just a length behind Teed Up. He’s 6lb better off this time and, with first-time blinkers, could improve on that performance. Despite a lack of recent racing, he's handicapped to go close.

Lot Of Joy (73): Finished 6th in last year’s race and 4th in 2022, now competing off an 8lb lower mark. She returned from a nine-month layoff with a promising third at the Curragh last monh, and as Patrick Mullins’ pick, she’s one to watch.

Pinot Gris (73): This 4-year-old was fifth behind Star Harbour at the Curragh last time, showing potential over longer trips. While the 2m 1f distance might test his stamina, he's handily treated and can go close if he stays the trip.

Closing Thoughts

This year’s Connacht Hotel Handicap promises to be a fascinating contest. The field is packed with contenders making it a tough race to call. On my ratings six horses are separated by just 1lb which underlines how competitive a race it is.

Will Teed Up defend his title and confirm form with Shajack and Lots Of Joy or could we see Alphonse Le Grande or Pinot Gris improve to take the crown?

As happened at Royal Ascot, my priority this week will be servicing those who joined my Victor Value service.  However, I will be doing a daily column for the Daily Punt, but apart from Tuesday’s they will be short ones.

If you're interested in my Goodwood and Galway Festival previews, they’re still available for just £10. Book your place here.

In tomorrow’s column I will be previewing the Qatar Goodwood Festival which gets underway on Tuesday.

Good luck with your Monday bets.

John