Tony Keenan has a 9\/2 selection for the opening day of the Galway Festival.<\/p>\n
We had one of the great sporting occasions of the Irish summer at Croke Park yesterday, and another starts today in Ballybrit. \u2018The Races\u2019 will do well to approach the drama provided by Mayo, but with seven days ahead at a track that seems set up to make stuff happen, we will surely have plenty to talk about come Sunday evening.<\/p>\n
The featured Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap<\/a> at 18:40 looks as competitive as ever, though the Willie Mullins-trained runners seem priced more on his historical record in the race than their individual performances while the trainer has not at the best year with his flat runners, just four winners from 28 runners with nine places so far in 2026.<\/p>\n Joseph O\u2019Brien seems to have a stronger hand, though his favourite Light Up The Dark is an uncertain stayer. Comfort Zone, with the cheekpieces back on, has his chance but perhaps the pick of his team will be the bigger priced Glenroyal who is unexposed and surely aimed at this race given connections. The form of last win has worked out well outside Ireland, the horse he beat now rated 100 in Bahrain. <\/p>\n Of the others, the old boy and course specialist Teed Up is in the mix and did very well to win at the meeting last year, overcoming clipping heel leaving the dip to get up on the line, though he would prefer slower ground while those comments also apply to Granite Bay. He will enjoy the step up in trip, however, and is well-drawn to race close to the pace, but all in all this looks a race for small stakes. <\/p>\n LISTEN: Click here for the Goodwood & Galway Preview Podcast<\/a><\/p>\n Joseph O\u2019Brien has a 100-rated colt in the Eventus Irish EBF (C & G) Maiden<\/a> (18:10) with One Number, but that might be a false mark as it came from a Naas Listed race where the pace collapsed and the favourite failed to get home, while One Number himself had every chance yet never looked like winning. <\/p>\n The Ballydoyle runner City Of Gold is open to improvement up in trip, but at the prices OUR BOY BAILEY makes some appeal. He ran the filly that won aforementioned Naas Listed race to half a length on debut at Roscommon while conceding nine pounds, a fine effort considering the Jessica Harrington juveniles are 0\/17 on their first starts this season. <\/p>\n Her second time out record is much better (five winners from 12 runners) and while the selection has his second run at Royal Ascot and improved in pure form terms, it could be argued that was an unsuitable race. <\/p>\n Having looked in need of the seven furlongs at Roscommon, he dropped down a furlong in trip next time, finding it too sharp. Having been squeezed out early, he was forced to the back of the field and kept on steadily in the final two furlongs, finishing head of One Number, and looking as if a return to seven furlongs would suit. <\/p>\n There is a handicap blot in the 19:15, the Clayton Hotel Galway Handicap<\/a>, Dancing Saxon having 16lbs in theory to play with. The step back up to seven furlongs should suit after running over six in a Listed race at Naas last Wednesday, the only concerns being a third quick run after a break and the Galway factor, as this track can produce hard luck stories.<\/p>\n Of the rest, Nazario looks well-treated himself and shaped with promise on debut for Johnny Murtagh, meeting trouble in running when likely needing the run, his first since November. He also has good course form, though his draw is a negative. <\/p>\n Girl Bear, another with course form, is better drawn in stall one and likes to go forward. She shaped better than the result on her first run off a break and may also be able to get involved. <\/p>\n The Gra Chocolates Handicap<\/a> at 19:50 is another difficult puzzle though Nod Of Approval deserves to be closer in the betting to Darius Dark. He was only narrowly beaten by that one in the Apprentice Derby at the Curragh last time, making up a lot of ground having been in rear, and is a stone better off at the weights. The worry is that he needs to travel better, as he is inclined to come off the bridle in his races which can be problematic at this track. <\/p>\n Preview published at 08:05 BST on 27\/07\/26<\/p>\n More from Sporting LifeSafer gambling<\/p>\n We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.<\/p>\n If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline \/ GamCare<\/a> on 0808 8020 133.<\/p>\n Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org<\/a> and gamblingtherapy.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Tony Keenan has a 9\/2 selection for the opening day of the Galway Festival. 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