Perceval Legallois can give Gavin Cromwell first Galway Plate win
Trainer Gavin Cromwell is looking for a first Galway Plate win. Pic: Tom Maher/Inpho
Day three in Ballybrit is Tote.ie Galway Plate day and Perceval Legallois can give the excellent Gavin Cromwell a first win in the race. The JP McManus-owned seven-year-old was a useful hurdler but has looked much better over fences despite just five outings to date over the larger obstacles.
In October, he won his beginners’ chase at this venue but fell next time out. Grade One company proved too much too soon when well beaten in the Drinmore, but he was almost back on track when contesting a deeply competitive Grade Three handicap chase at the Dublin Racing Festival. Brought with a challenge going to the last, he was still travelling quite strongly until falling at the obstacle, leaving the smart Heart Wood to go on to victory.
Off for three months, he went to the Punchestown to contest a race which has long been a positive pointer to this race and finished a fine second to Hgranca De Thaix. The break since is of no concern and he is certain to be primed for this assignment. If ridden as positively today as he was at Punchestown, he will play a leading role.
The most obvious danger is Gordon Elliott’s Zanahiyr. A winner of the Flat, he has spent most of his National Hunt career running at the top level — 15 of his 24 runs, in fact — and will find this a welcome ease. Given he reached 155 over hurdles and is 10lbs lower over fences, which allows him to get in here with just 10-11 to carry, it is quite clear he has leading claims.
On a line through Hgranca De Thaix, there shouldn’t be much between Perceval Legallois and Lets Go Champ, and the latter is certainly respected. Mister Policeman is also in single figures in the betting, but his form is punctuated by below-par efforts and while it would be folly to rule him out, it is difficult to recommend or to back him.
Don’tstopthemusic can get punters off to the perfect start by taking the Tote.ie Maiden Hurdle. The lightly raced seven-year-old made a mildly promising hurdling debut in late 2022 but when next seen, at this meeting in 2023, he contested a bumper and finished runner-up to I Will Be Baie.
Off again from that outing until reappearing at this year’s Punchestown festival, he was heavily supported to win a bumper and obliged with a huge amount in hand. The form of that win, while not fully tested, has received a couple of boosts, with the fifth, Churchroad Prince, and the eighth, Half A Chance, both winning a maiden hurdle on their respective next starts.
A half-brother to Dodging Bullets, who won a Flat handicap for three-year-olds at this meeting in 2011 before going on to a much more illustrious National Hunt career which including winning a Champion Chase, the selection has a touch of class and can make a winning return to hurdling, chiefly at the expense of Arctic Gale.
The latter was runner-up in a bumper at this meeting in 2023, finishing behind My Great Mate, who re-opposes, but he got his turn next time out, at Fairyhouse. This year, he has run twice over hurdles and has shown some promise on both occasions. Likely to be better this time, he is the danger to the selection.
There is a big field for the Download The New Tote App Qualified Riders’ Maiden and the Jessica Harrington-trained Alfheim can land the spoils. Well beaten on debut, in early April, she then went to the Curragh where she ran a much-improved race to finish fourth behind subsequent listed race winner and Irish Oaks sixth Hanalia.
Runner-up Lily Hart also gave the form some substance, and it was clear from that race that Alfheim would have her sights set on longer distances. She steps up to a mile and a half for this race, which is certainly not as tough as her last assignment, and she can get off the mark.
Smart National Hunt mare Redwood Queen is respected, as is Man Of Worth, but the biggest danger may come from Joseph O’Brien’s Mazyad, who finished runner-up in a Listowel bumper on his stable debut, having won one for Martin Fitzgerald. There is plenty more to come from him and he is very much respected under a rider, John Gleeson, who won this race 12 months ago.
O’Brien’s other runner, Shoda, is also interesting, having finished third to Mother Nature on her only start to date. Her dam won a novice hurdle at this meeting in 2013, and she looks as though she has inherited plenty of stamina.
4:50 Don’tstopthemusic (nap)
5:25 Sea Music
6:00 Enfranchise
6:40 Alfheim
7:10 Perceval Legallois (nb)
7:45 September Leaves
8:15 Hallowed Star
4:50 Arctic Gale
5:25 Paggane
6:00 Royal Eagle
6:40 Mazyad
7:10 Zanahiyr
7:45 Gibbs Island
8:15 Jacovec Cavern
