Go West for starters
A mildly disappointing sort earlier on, the selection has struck form with a vengeance of late and looks the type who will relish the up hill run to the straight.
He got off the mark at Punchestown at the end of May, emerging best at the end of a three-way tussle with The God Of Love and Kevkat. Jewel Of The West then went to Bellewstown and was impressive in beating Auenschutze (rec. 7lbs) by an easy five and a half lengths.
The form is ordinary, there’s little doubt about that, and the handicapper’s ratings tell us he has a bit to do at the weights, but this imposing sort is clearly on the upgrade and rates the nap.
Dermot Weld’s Broad Meaning has to get the vote in the GPT Access Equipment EBF Maiden, a contest he has farmed over many years. The son of Oasis Dream made a promising start when three lengths second behind Mourayan at Leopardstown earlier in the month.
In third spot was Gan Amhras, beaten a further length, and he gave the form a big boost when turning-over the well-regarded Ballydoyle newcomer, Masterofthehorse, at Naas last week.
A reasonable case can be made for a ridiculous number of horses in the featured GPT Galway Handicap and one can only be hopeful of finding the winner.
The nod falls on Willie Mullins’ Serpentaria, who is ex-French and has never run on the flat in this country. She has, however, shown smart form over flights, winning easily at Thurles and Fairyhouse, before finishing second behind Oscar Rebel in a Grade 3 at the Punchestown Festival. Essentially there is really no way of knowing how she currently fits into the scheme of things, but if something has slipped under the radar then she is the most likely candidate!
