Softer Galway ground can help Rizal excel
STRONG CLAIMS: Trainer Johnny Murtagh can strike at Galway on Tuesday. Picture: Niall Carson/PA
Back in Galway for Tuesday afternoon’s action and the focus switches from National Hunt to Flat. On a competitive card, which features the listed Oyster Stakes, the nap comes in the James P Cunningham Electrical Handicap, which is the opportunity Rizal needs to get off the mark.
Unraced at two, Johnny Murtagh’s runner showed only a modicum of ability in three runs in maidens but there was more to be taken from his two starts to date in handicaps. The first of them was in a competitive race at the summer festival here and while he was slow to start and consequently never well positioned, he travelled strongly and would have finished considerably closer had he not encountered trouble in running.
He was a little below that level when fourth behind Empress Artemis on his most recent start, but that was on good ground at Bellewstown, a combination never likely to suit this sizable individual.
He is bound to progress with experience and with the benefit of the softest ground he will have raced on to date, the son of Lope De Vega can begin to realise his potential by taking this race.
Staywitherjohnny, Amplitude, and Flying Fortress are all capable of playing a leading role.
The listed Ardilaun Hotel Irish EBF Oyster Stakes is a tricky contest, but La Isla Mujeres is capable of a bold showing. The five-year-old mare has won on of her four outings to date for Paddy Twomey, and last time out she finished a fine second behind Goodie Two Shoes in a listed race over two miles.
That was more than three months ago but fitness ought not be an issue, and she has proved form in testing conditions. With Billy Lee also back in action after a break, the two can make up for lost time. Lemsairbat was not at her best last time but these conditions are more suitable and she can give the selection most to think about.
The latter’s trainer, Joseph O’Brien, can take the opener, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, with Acclamatic. Quite how good a race this might be is difficult to ascertain, as there are some likely types having a first run, but the selection ran with much promise on debut, when third behind A Boy Name Susie, and will be hard to beat if building on that effort.
4:05 Acclamatic (NB)
4:35 Iowa City
5:05 Rizal (Nap)
5:35 Remember That
6:05 Counterculture
6:35 La Isla Mujeres
7:05 Superficial
7:35 Generous Support
4:05 Big Cypress
4:35 Imposing Supreme
5:05 Staywitherjohnny
5:35 Zous And Me
6:05 Lucky Out
6:35 Lemsairbat
7:05 For Eclipse
7:35 Sharanga
