Wayne Bailey / 29 July 2009 Free Bet

Shark Hanlon's Darazari-bred has drifted from 10 to 15 after what was admittedly a rather non-descript effort in the old GPT on Monday. He actually travelled really well - perhaps too well - for all but the last half-mile, and it was disappointing how he found so little.
That was entirely at odds with the considerable and consistent progression that he has shown this season, winning easily at Punchestown and since doing the same at The Curragh. His course form from last season is another positive and the fact that Hanlon has allowed him to take his chance implies that all is still well.

It is gloriously warm as I write in Galway on Wednesday and the drying ground will suit Truckers Delight. He is preferred to Deutschland, who is clearly well-treated towards the foot of the weights, though it may be a slight concern that the Plate was his apparent initial target. In-running players should note Raise Your Heart, who is liable to travel like a dream but empty out up the punishing straight: he barely gets two miles on a flat track over hurdles, let alone Galway on soft ground.

Course form is of relevance in the opening beginners' chase as well. Corrick Bridge won a hurdle race in Galway two years back and he would have sound prospects here if the ground continues to dry out. Given the warm conditions it is possible it could be soft or better and he gets narrow preference. He was running a nice race when hitting the deck last time and is generally a sound jumper. Whatever Next is a beautiful leaper and of interest for in-running players - he is a prominent racer. Maucaillou travels very well but will struggle to get up the hill.

In the mile handicap, Imply is of some interest. The Beat Hollow gelding was beaten less than a length after making the running in a bunch finish the last time at The Curragh and the form was boosted on Wednesday by Tin Town Boy coming a clear second in Galway.
Gary Carroll's claim will help James Leavy's charge and the ground is not a major concern. Crooked Throw beat nothing in a claimer last time, while Separate Ways has shot up the weights for a couple of wins at Killarney.

Wins Now presumably will not run in the novices' chase, in which the penalised runners are liable to dominate. Another Ambition is probably the best of the rest but he is a frustrating character and another to take on in-running if he is going smoothly in the dip.
On the basis that Montero surely wants further, Quintana gets the nod for Dusty Sheehy. There was much to like about his attitude and jumping when he beat subsequent easy Ballinrobe winner The God Of Love at Limerick.
Quintana is a tough sort who will battle up the hill and may just have more finishing kick than Montero.

In the novices' hurdle, Glenstal Abbey - by virtue of a proven liking for soft ground - should go well, but if it dries out it will suit Dual Gales. He was an alarming drifter in Killarney but now reverts back to two and a half miles, over which he won at Bellewstown. Willie Mullins' excellent form continues and he gets a very hopeful vote.

The mile-and-a-half handicap is a cracking race, featuring hurdle winner from earlier in the week No One Tells Me and Gratified, who ran so well in the opening event of the week. He has a plum draw here in 17 and Pat Smullen should be able to get a very favourable position on him. At around 5, he is worth a bet and put in a lay around 1.4 in-running pre-race, as he may falter somewhat up the hill as he did on Monday.

The bumper can go the way of form pick Buoy George, who handles most types of ground and hails from an incredibly dominant yard with regard to this type of race over the last year.