Selections for Sunday 4th of August 2024
1.50 Galway
1 point each way Bythesametoken (8/1 Bet365/ 888 Sports, 5 places)
Bythesametoken has been well supported and is now the 5/2 favourite. He is ground versatile so won’t mind if the rain arrives in Galway. His trainer Ross O’ Sullivan has been in great form this week and I thought he was great each way value at 8/1. He was third in this race last year off the same mark and jockey Tom Harney was claiming 4 lbs back then as he does today.
2.20 Galway
1 point each way Topgun Simmy (11/1 Skybet, 7 places or else 14/1 Paddy power/ Betvictor, 5 places)
I feel Shark Hanlon has laid this horse out for this race to try and get his son Paddy a chance of a winner at this year’s festival. He is also ground versatile and wouldn’t mind any rain between now and race time. Topgun Simmy was third in a bumper here last year on soft ground and wasn’t beaten that far. He won his maiden hurdle at Punchestown in June over 2m 7f on yielding ground. The handicapper has given him a mark of 121 and Paddy claims a further 7 lbs. He will know this horse well from his fathers yard.
3.30 Galway
2 points each way Barnacullia (9/2 Skybet/ Paddy power/ Unibet/ Betfred, 4 places)
Barnacullia was desperately unlucky to bump into a well handicapped McManus horse in this race last year for shrewd trainer Michael Mulvany. The pair were 15 lengths clear of the reopposing Pats Choice back in third. He has gone up 4 lbs in the handicap since last year but has a 16 lbs swing with the winner of last year’s race. Barnacullia was a winner over course and distance in 2022 and it is obvious he enjoys this track. He has had a similar preparation as last year and hopefully he can go one better today.
4.00 Galway
1 point each way Dunum (5/1 Bet365, 5 places or else 9/2 Generally, 5 places)
Dunum was an impressive winner of this handicap last year off a mark of 95. He was drawn in stall 17 on that occasion and is much better drawn today in stall 2. The downside is that he is 6 lbs higher in the handicap than last year’s race. He is another that has strong form on soft ground so if the rain arrives he won’t mind.
1 point each way San Aer (12/1 Generally , 5 places)
The softer the better for San Aer and he will depend on a fast pace to have any chance over this 7f trip. He is drawn in stall 4 and will need plenty of luck as he will have to make up ground late on. If the rain that is forecast falls and they go a right good gallop up front he could be picking up the pieces late on. Tom Mullins has his string in good health and he has course form albeit over 1 mile.
**Date & Time of next Selections Friday 9th of August at 9pm..