Satchel Sets Sights On Galway Double

The final day of the 2015 Galway Festival provides punters with one last chance to win some summer holiday cash, courtesy of the European Breeders Fund Handicap over 7f (4.30).

Punters To Have a Nice Day?
This valuable event has several interesting contenders, including Sabrina Harty’s Have A Nice Day (rated 92), who has shown improvement to win his last two handicaps at the Curragh – both over 7f on good ground. Raised 7lb for the last of those, Have A Nice Day may well have enough improvement to defy the rise, while his mark of 92 is ideal based on past renewals…

Trends Summary
Of the last 10 EBF Handicap winners…

10 ran over 7f or further last time
9 won two or more handicaps
9 arrived via Galway (5), Naas (2) or the Curragh (2)
9 ran in a handicap last time
8 were officially rated 82-92
8 made the top three last time

Satchel To Carry Off Prize?

With last time out winners boasting a good record in this, Adrian McGuinness’ Beau Satchel (rated 82) has to be considered having won over C&D earlier in the week.

A 5lb penalty looks fair for that win, and it’s worth noting that five of the last 10 winners of this handicap all raced at Galway last time.

Dermot Weld can never be ignored here when there is a big prize up for grabs, and his 4yo, Alkasser, showed a bit more at the Curragh a few weeks ago when keeping on over 6f. A Listed winner over 7f last year, it will be interesting if money arrives for him.

Elsewhere, the headgear has been introduced for top-weight, Piri Wango, who has won a couple of decent handicaps at around this trip down the years, and was second in the Topaz here 12 months ago from just 1lb lower. Jack’s Revenge was also in that renewal of the Topaz when beaten under 2l in fifth and returns from 1lb higher, plus Joseph O’Brien in the saddle.

British Challenge
Another with a solid outing last time is last year’s winner of this, Baraweez, who was beaten just 1/2l in the Topaz Mile over C&D earlier this week, the same tactics used as 12 months ago (finished third in the Topaz). Brian Ellsion’s 5yo is 8lb higher than last year, but couldn’t be in better form.

Alistair Whillans also sends over the 8yo, Pintura, who won over C&D in 2012, and has slipped to a handy mark. Beaten just a short head 13 days ago, Pintura has to make the short-list.

Recommended Bets
Runners who ran at the Galway Festival earlier in the week have a good record in this, pointing-up several on Sunday, including Beau Satchel, who won over C&D on Tuesday and gets into this race off a low weight.