PREVIEW: Galway Day One
Day one of the Festival of Weld (occasionally referred to as the Galway Festival).
Phil Taylor (winning his 15th World Matchplay in Blackpool last night) holds nothing on Dermot Weld when it comes to Galway and the master of Rosewell House is bidding to be champion trainer at the meeting for an incredible 28th time !!
He had 11 winners at the Ballybrit course last year but may find it tougher than usual to get off the mark this year.
Dangerous talk, but I’m not sure he’ll even get a winner on day one. Certainly his runner in the opener, Manhattan Swing, faces some very serious and more experienced rivals as Weld bids to win the race for the fourth time in the last five years.
Manhattan Swing ran well on the flat when last seen but tries jumps for the first time here. Henry Higgins is a big danger now that he is dropped in class (last seen over jumps when contesting a Grade 2) and Morga is unbeaten in two races over jumps.
Weld’s Postulation has been well backed for the seven furlong maiden at 6.10 and although this one ran well in sixth on debut at the Curragh it was the same race in which Jamaica finished third and I see no obvious reasons why that form should be turned around.
I’ll play it safe with a bet on Jamaica.
If Weld isn’t on the scorecard by the closing race then all hopes will lie with Call Vinnie who impressed in the PTP sphere and makes his debut under rules here.