Gerard Delahunty / 27 July 2010 Free Bet View Market

"It really doesn’t get any more straightforward than this in a Galway handicap and, while none of this is a secret from the market-makers, the early betting forecasts look promising and Fit The Cove is a bet at anything bigger than 4/1."

The big mile handicap - Topaz Mile EBF Handicap (7-00) - is as competitive a race as you are ever likely to see. Last year's winner Rock And Roll Kid merits respect, as does dual course winner Few Are Chosen. If Per Chance ran second over 7f at this meeting last year but he is asked a big question now by a 12lb rating hike for beating moderate horses at Killarney last time. Worldly Wise is over a stone higher in the ratings now than when he was just balloted out of this race last year. His trainer Pat Flynn is in flying form but on this easier going the task may be beyond the Namid gelding. The choice here is Kevin Prendergast's 3yo Mujaazef. Since winning a 9f race at Cork in April he has been coming up just short in good 3yo handicaps at shorter trips, finishing strongly on each occasion. Those outings confirm both his wellbeing and the fairness of his rating and this stiff 8½f looks sure to suit him. With luck in running Mujaazef should put his head in the frame at the finish.

In the two-mile Topaz Handicap at 6-20 the one they will all have to contend with is Inspector Clouseau, winner of a handicap at Carlisle last summer and having his first run now for Willie Mullins off an absence of nine months. Otherwise a Clonmel two-mile handicap last September may prove a key form-line. Jettymarc beat Slievecorragh by 1¾ lengths that evening and is 1lb better off now at the weights. Slievecorragh has improved two-stone over hurdles in the interim and gets his chance now to translate that to the level. However, the race-fit Jettymarc, who goes particularly well at tight and undulating right-handed tracks (wins at Sligo and Tramore, as well as Clonmel), may prove better value betting material.

Winning debutants are rare enough at Galway, a tricky track which rewards experience. Regardless, Dermot Weld's pair of first-time runners Zaminast (a half-sister to Famous Name) in the 2yo Fillies Maiden at 7-35 and Parlour in the concluding 3yo Maiden at 8-35 are likely to be strong fancies. Hasty Katie and Big Bad Billy Bob may be the ones to oppose Rosewell with.

Things could hardly have worked out better for Fit The Cove in the Caulfield Industrial Athlone Handicap at 8-05. Dropping into this 50-80 grade for the first time in nearly six years, he comes into the race off a last time out and recent placing, has received a favourable high draw and will be ridden by 3lb-claiming Danny Mullins who has made his mark at this meeting over the past few years. Fit The Cove, of course, won twice at the meeting last year (including the Premier handicap over course-and-distance) to bring his Flat form-figures at Galway to: 1100411. It really doesn't get any more straightforward than this in a Galway handicap and, while none of this is a secret from the market-makers, the early betting forecasts look promising and Fit The Cove is a bet at anything bigger than 4/1. Among his more obvious rivals on recent form, both He's Got Rhythm and Initiation have questions to answer on this easier going and it may be Miss Eze who will provide the final challenge.

Let's spend 10 points:

Fit The Cove 5pts win
Mujaazef 2pts win
Jettymarc 1pt win
Hasty Katie & Big Bad Billy Bob 1pt e/w double