Galway 5.40
Sean - Galway 5.40 Flat Handicap - 1 mile 4 furlongs - 18 run - Good to Yielding
This doesn't look a particularly deep field unless there is something who is going to improve markedly by stepping up around 1/2 mile in trip. I've gone through the pedigrees of all stepped up in trip and can only really find the one to note and that is PALE MOONLIGHT for Dermot Weld, it's drawn in Stall 21 though but one to keep an eye on in the betting and if any movement a few quid each way may be a wise investment.
At the top end of the market I'm really not sure what the best Flat trip is for Flash Of Dawn, it's clearly got chances but I think a couple are more likely at bigger prices and Darkened too who is vying for favouritism and who has good Hurdles and solid Flat form will clearly be a danger but neither appeal as each way bets and I dont have the confidence for a win bet on either.
Observing produced a career best run upped to this trip last time but hard to say what that pure form amounts to and this is surely tougher, Rock On Pedro won nicely last time but gets a 7lbs penalty and that may just stop him, he'd be my 3rd pick IF you wanted a shrapnel bet. At bigger odds but for a year off the Flat and a 235 days off jumps I'd be interested in MILFORD SOUND who has some form at the trip and off this mark and any moves early on him should be noted too.
I'm most confident about a pair and will be disappointed if we aren't in the places at the very least.
MAGNETIC NORTH has won over a furlong further off 68 and has come back down to that same mark for today. Its race fit, solid form and looks aimed at the race in a middle draw and with luck in running I really can't find any excuses, the only achilles heel is a turn of foot so a danger would be anything grasping the nettle off the front. DAMMIT is also proven at the trip and may well run further forwards and make it a true test, its drawn to attack in Stall 8 and really there are no excuses I can find for this one either on a quiet day.
TRACKERS - Magnetic North + Dammit (shrapnel Rock On Pedro) - keep an eye on markets on Milford Sound / Pale Moonlight