Palmetto Dunes and Good Tradition can deliver
Palmetto Dunes, who contests the Guinness 17:59 Maiden, gets the nap selection to build on the tremendous promise of his debut.
Although ultimately quite well beaten in third place, in a four-runner race at Leopardstown, there was an awful lot to like about his effort.
The son of First Defence faced a very tough task, behind two previous winners, Sanus Per Aquam and Port Douglas, but ran as well as could have been expected, and is certain to have learned plenty from the outing.
Galway can be a difficult track for inexperienced sorts and that’s the only concern for the selection. If, like most of his stable companions, he takes to the venue, it’ll take a big performance to lower his colours.
The danger may come from Mr Michael, who made a pleasing debut behind the exciting Al Qahwa, and is entitled to be better for it.
Good Tradition gets the vote in the Guinness Race, over a mile and five furlongs. On official figures, he has something to find with a few of his rivals, but he’s unexposed and the ground being on the slow side will play more to his strengths than to those of his opponents.
The lightly raced four-year-old made his seasonal return over a similar trip, on soft ground at Killarney back in May, and readily accounted for subsequent maiden hurdle winner Neverushacon.
The short break since is of little consequence, and he’s sure to have been kept for the race, which his trainer has won in three of the past four seasons. With improvement a distinct possibility, he’ll take beating.
Although Willie Mullins was denied four successive opening-race victories when As De Ferbet was pipped by Shantou Flyer yesterday afternoon, the Closutton handler has a sporting chance to get off to a flying start once more, with Rupert Lamb.
The nine-year-old hasn’t won for almost two years, but has run well a number of times in the interim. On his most recent start over hurdles, at Bellewstown, he suggested a return to winning ways was not far away when finishing a close third behind one of today’s rivals, Tempo Mac.
With an ease in the ground to suit and the fact he’s very well treated on his best form over fences, he should go well at generous odds.
The Galway Blazers Handicap Chase looks particularly tough, but Perfect Promise should have conditions to suit, and can land the spoils for trainer Jimmy Mangan. A close third behind Abolitionist on his most recent start, over a trip in excess of three miles, he should appreciate the drop back in trip and some cut in the ground.
Punters who took the advice of Tommy Lyons yesterday would have been in the money after our racing correspondent tipped three winners including Quick Jack in the Galway Hurdle.
Lyons tipped Shantou Flyer to win the opening race at Ballybrit and he duly obliged at odds of 11/4.
He was also successful in the third race as the Jessica Harrington-trained Princess Aloof claimed victory at 6-1.
Then came the Galway Hurdle when Quick Jack delivered at odds of 9/2.
Had any punter backed all three they would have had cause for major celebration as an accumulator works out at a tasty 143/1.
