IT’S DAY TWO of the Galway Festival with the feature race the €120,000 Topaz Mile Handicap and, while things didn’t go quite according to plan yesterday, we’re confident we can see you right today.
Ger Lyons obviously fancies his chances in this one as he fires no fewer than five bullets at the €72,000 first prize, including the top three rated horses; 2013 winner Brendan Brackan (10/1), as well as Lat Hawill (12/1) and Chopin (16/1) in the colours of Qatar Racing.
However, it is telling that Lyons’ stable jockey Colin Keane partners Unsinkable (5/1), who was just beaten over ten furlongs at Navan last time out. The five-year old grey should have no problem dropping back in trip.
The same can’t be said for last year’s winner Vastonea (8/1) who is only a pound higher than 12 months ago but doesn’t come in with any sort of form having managed a solitary second place in six races since the 2014 festival.
Dermot Weld saddles the favourite and has seven wins in this race over the years. However, the last came with Stunning View in 2011 and while Stay De Night (7/2) will probably still prove popular with punters, the four-year old would prefer a little less cut in the Ballybrit turf.
Much better value for this highly competitive mile is Brian Ellison’s Baraweez (9/1) who finished third in the race in 2014 before winning a seven furlong handicap on soft ground just days later.
Add in the fact that jokey Donnacha O’Brien is claiming five pounds and the five-year old gelding looks all ends up a potential winner.
