Galway Festival Day 5 Preview

Day five gets under way at 5.05 with a maiden race over seven furlongs. Dermot Weld continues to chalk up the winners this week and Backdrop shaped promisingly first time out.

It would be no surprise to see Weld’s filly improve significantly to take this but preference is just for Trikala. Paddy Prendergast’s filly travelled well last time before losing out to Home School and could go one better here.

The one-mile handicap at 5.40 could go the way of Tommy Stack’s Snakes And Ladders, a winner at Naas in May. The colt may have most to fear from Janna’s Jingle who ran on strongly when runner-up at Hamilton last month.

Aidan O’Brien has had a quiet week so far but can get back among the winners with Agreement in the maiden race at 6.15. The son of Galileo showed plenty of promise when second at Tipperary and could have too much experience for the unraced Calibrate.

Weld’s Show Court is likely to go off favourite in the Guinness Handicap at 6.50 after landing the odds by six lengths at Sligo. O’Brien saddles two here with recent winner Kingdom joined by Plinth.

Kingdom made all to hold Zafarqand at Fairyhouse and Joseph O’Brien may employ similar tactics here. He teams up with the useful stayer Justification for his father in the 7.25 but may give best to the classy Unaccompanied.

Weld’s dual-purpose mare will be much fitter for her run behind Royal Diamond and looks the one to beat.

The handicap chase at 7.55 is the most competitive event on the card and a case can be made for several runners. Course and distance winner Another Ambition is bound to be popular and Our Girl Lucy was staying on dourly last time.

Dancers Dilemma will be fancied to provide Weld with yet another winner in the closing handicap hurdle. He has three recent winners in opposition including Treacy Hotels Boy in a typically competitive event.

Selections: 5.05 Trikala, 5.40 Snakes And Ladders, 6.15 Agreement (nb), 6.50 Kingdom, 7.25 Unaccompanied (NAP), 7.55 Our Girl Lucy, 8.25 Treacy Hotels Boy