Name Miles To Memphis
Age 8
Trainer Denise Foster
Target Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap | 2m | Monday, July 31
What he's done This capable 122-rated hurdler seems to have enjoyed his couple of spins on the Flat with a lucky win over 1m7f at Leopardstown (horse in front ran out through the rails) followed by a smart performance in the Ladies Derby at the Curragh over an inadequate 1m4f.
His most recent hurdles run was also encouraging as he was beaten just over nine lengths by Plinth, who has since gone on to win the Grade 3 Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary.
Why he's worth following His jumping has been a major problem, so the fact that there are no obstacles is a major advantage. The sharp 2m around Galway should also aid his cause as he has the speed to win over 1m4f and the stamina to last 2m2f.
His handicap mark looks lenient, having gone up only 3lb for his recent Curragh success where he wasn't doing a stroke out in front for Lisa O'Neill. She is one of the best amateurs around and clearly gets on well with the gelding, which makes the amateur race on day one an ideal fit for them.
Name Tara Dylan
Age 5
Trainer Thomas Mullins
Target Guinness Handicap (Premier Handicap) | 1m4f | Friday, August 4
What she's done A revelation last summer when she won three competitive handicaps in four starts in less than six weeks and climbed from a mark of 56 to 84. Her season tailed off slightly towards the backend but that could be put down to a long, hard campaign where she ran 12 times from February to November.
Her reappearance run at Leopardstown in mid-July was highly encouraging as she looked as if she would come on for the outing
pre-race but travelled into the contest looking like the winner. As push came to shove, she didn’t pick up as you would have expected but she still ran to the line.
Why she's worth following She won at the festival last season when she really excelled over course and distance in a wide-open race. She will love the return to the hustle and bustle of a competitive Galway handicap, where she seems to come alive. Judging by the weights from last year, she should be close to bottom weight, which will suit this small filly.
This is a big step up in grade but looks to have been her target for a while and, with last season's improvement looking set to continue, she should be bang there at the business end.
Age 8
Trainer Denise Foster
Target Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap | 2m | Monday, July 31
What he's done This capable 122-rated hurdler seems to have enjoyed his couple of spins on the Flat with a lucky win over 1m7f at Leopardstown (horse in front ran out through the rails) followed by a smart performance in the Ladies Derby at the Curragh over an inadequate 1m4f.
His most recent hurdles run was also encouraging as he was beaten just over nine lengths by Plinth, who has since gone on to win the Grade 3 Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary.
Why he's worth following His jumping has been a major problem, so the fact that there are no obstacles is a major advantage. The sharp 2m around Galway should also aid his cause as he has the speed to win over 1m4f and the stamina to last 2m2f.
His handicap mark looks lenient, having gone up only 3lb for his recent Curragh success where he wasn't doing a stroke out in front for Lisa O'Neill. She is one of the best amateurs around and clearly gets on well with the gelding, which makes the amateur race on day one an ideal fit for them.
Name Tara Dylan
Age 5
Trainer Thomas Mullins
Target Guinness Handicap (Premier Handicap) | 1m4f | Friday, August 4
What she's done A revelation last summer when she won three competitive handicaps in four starts in less than six weeks and climbed from a mark of 56 to 84. Her season tailed off slightly towards the backend but that could be put down to a long, hard campaign where she ran 12 times from February to November.
Her reappearance run at Leopardstown in mid-July was highly encouraging as she looked as if she would come on for the outing
pre-race but travelled into the contest looking like the winner. As push came to shove, she didn’t pick up as you would have expected but she still ran to the line.
Why she's worth following She won at the festival last season when she really excelled over course and distance in a wide-open race. She will love the return to the hustle and bustle of a competitive Galway handicap, where she seems to come alive. Judging by the weights from last year, she should be close to bottom weight, which will suit this small filly.
This is a big step up in grade but looks to have been her target for a while and, with last season's improvement looking set to continue, she should be bang there at the business end.