Galway Festival Day 6 Preview

Day 6 of the Galway Festival opens in familiar style with Dermot Weld saddling the favourite in Leafcutter in the 2.00. The son of Shamardal will have come on a lot for his promising debut at the Curragh and looks the obvious form choice.

Aidan O’Brien saddles the main danger with Iniesta, a fair third at behind Club Wexford at Leopardstown. Keyword looks best of the remainder.

Weld could make it a quick double when Mahon Falls lines up for the 2.30. The filly put in her best effort to date when fourth at Naas last time out. O’Brien again provides the main danger in the visored Dove Mountain.

Weld’s Stuccodor bids to complete a sixth consecutive victory in the Ahonoora Sprint Handicap at 3.10. He battled on to beat the smart Fiesolana last time out and it will take a brave man to oppose him.

Kevin Ryan’s Pintura was far from disgraced when fifth behind Brendan Brackan over a mile in midweek and drops back to seven furlongs here. Al Khan also has claims after a decent effort at York.

The Grade C Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle is the feature race of the day at 3.45 and Willie Mullins looks to have a strong hand with four runners. Ruby Walsh has elected to ride course winner Call Me Bubbles whilst Security Breach looks well weighted for Paul Townend.

Landero will be popular after cruising to victory at Roscommon over three miles and the hat-trick seeking Benemeade is another with a leading chance.

There follows another tricky seven-furlong handicap at 4.20 with the weights headed by Fit The Cove. The market leaders here are course winner Toufan Express and Sligo winner Vasoni.

Weld is back to the fore in the mile and a half handicap at 4.55 where he saddles Magnolia Ridge. The son of Galileo won his maiden easily and could be leniently weighted here.

Sharp Crisp Air bids to gain reward for her consistency with victory in the maiden at 5.25 but faces a serious rival in John Oxx’s Smolensk. She was fourth to the smart Venus De Milo at Fairyhouse and that form looks good here.