Galway Festival Day 2 Preview

The Galway Festival got under way on Monday in familiar fashion with Dermot Weld saddling a double and the trainer has a strong hand again today. Diplomat set the ball rolling in the first yesterday evening and will be a popular choice to repeat the dose this tonight.

Ruby Walsh rode Diplomat to stride to an effortless victory but is retained by Willie Mullins to partner hat-trick seeking Shamar in the 5.05. Davy Russell steps in for the ride on Diplomat and he can put winner number 3 on the board for the Weld team this week.

Walsh is no longer retained by Paul Nicholls but teams up with his former boss to partner Woolcombe Folly in the Latin Quarter Chase at 5.40. He ran a fine race when second in a competitive handicap at Market Rasen under a big weight. Russell has another fine chance here on the improving Rathlin for Mouse Morris.

The maiden race at 6.10 looks set to go to Weld with the hot favourite Tarfasha. The filly was only beaten a neck after a gentle introduction at Leopardstown and can take this on the way to better things.

The Topaz Mile at 6.45 is the big betting race of the day and Brian Ellison has sent over the eight-year-old Global Village. The veteran has lost none of his dash judged on his fine second in the Lincoln and subsequent fourth in the Newbury Spring Mile.

Global Village is sure to appreciate the easier ground and a big run is expected. The favourite is Dermot Weld’s course and distance winner Tandem who is weighted to confirm the placings with Aidan O’Brien’s Fortify.

Weld’s Pirate Cove will not have to be anything special to beat a modest field of maidens at 7.15 with the main threat likely to come from Jim Bolger’s Fulminata. Bolger also has claims in the 7.45 with the consistent Eighteen Summers.

Weld’s hopes rest with Dancers Dilemma in the closing race at 8.15 but he may struggle to give the weight to Tommy Stack’s Tooreen Legend. The son of Rakti stayed on well to take third at Leopardstown last time out.

Selections: 5.05 Diplomat, 5.40 Rathlin, 6.10 Tarfasha (NAP), 6.45 Global Village (nb), 7.15 Pirate Cove, 7.45 Eighteen Summers, 8.15 Tooreen Legend