Rufus King could be the horse to side with in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Ahonoora Handicap as this year’s Galway Festival draws to a close this afternoon.
The €120,000 feature has been a terrific race for the English raiders and Rufus King is looking to give them a sixth victory in succession in this race.
On Tuesday the Mark Johnston inmate ran a fine race in the Galway Mile to finish fourth to Saltonstall.
He now has to reverse form with two that finished in front of him on that occasion but he has a good draw and that will count heavily in his favour.
Tuesday’s winner Saltonstall is respected but a bigger danger could be Quizical who finished third in Tuesday’s feature.
It has already been a superb week for Willie Mullins and he looks to have good prospects of a double.
The meeting’s leading trainer should strike first with Yorkhill in the two and three quarter miles conditions chase.
This nine-year-old is without a win since his 2017 success in the JLT Novices Chase at Cheltenham.
However, he remains capable of adding to his tally, especially at this level, and he can bounce back from his early exit in Wednesday’s Plate.
Mullins should also strike on the flat with Eight And Bob who was a beaten favourite earlier in the week.
That last defeat should not be held against Eight And Bob as the winner that day, Upgraded, was allowed an easy lead from an early stage.
The card should begin with a victory for Ilikedwayurthinkin who was a hugely impressive winner on Wednesday’s card.
The Gavin Cromwell inmate has to deal with a drop in distance but the way he tanked through Wednesday’s race would suggest that two miles will be no issue for him.
Another trainer with good prospects of a double is Joseph O’Brien. The trainer’s Potala Palace makes most appeal in the two-year-old maiden.
He was unable to justify favouritism at Roscommon last time but still ran well and his previous second in a Leopardstown maiden was a good effort.
O’Brien should also land the concluding winner’s bumper with Meticulous whose form last season will make him hard to beat.
His second to Envoi Allen in a Leopardstown Grade 2 in February represents a top class effort.
This gelding looks too strong for Blazing Emily who looked a smart prospect when winning a Ballinrobe bumper a couple of months ago.
In the three mile handicap hurdle a chance is taken on the former course winner Ballyegan Hero who showed signs of a revival at Ballinrobe last week.
Rock The World has come a long way down the weights since he struck at Cheltenham a couple of years ago but he might be worth chancing in the handicap chase.
Tips
2.15. Ilikedwayurthinkin (Nap)
2.45 Ballyegan Hero
3.20 Potala Palace
3.55 Rufus King
4.30 Yorkhill
5.00 Rock The World
5.30 Eight And Bob
6.00 Meticulous
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