Banker material in maiden hurdles at Galway

Local trainer Pat Kelly can get Pick Six punters off to a good start with Presenting Percy in a maiden hurdle (1.10). The five-year-old was a promising horse in bumpers last season, good enough to warrant a run in the Grade 1 event at the Punchestown festival. He has made a satisfactory start over hurdles and can conform the form of that race with Ceide Fields.

The other maiden hurdle (2.50) also provides banker material in the shape of Potters Point, having his first run for Gordon Elliot since his transfer from Willie Mullins. Having looked potentially smart in bumpers he was a beaten favourite in two maiden hurdle outings last season but still looks a stand-out against this opposition.

Mouse Morris and Gigginstown have the likely solution to the rated chase (1.45) with Just Cause, who has always looked as if he would make a chaser and began well with a second placing behind Lieutenant Colonel in the same colours at Tipperary. The insurance policy is Killiney Court who has to concede 7lb to Just Cause having already won twice over fences.

Killiney Court's trainer Henry deBromhead has a strong candidate for the handicap chase (2.20) in Downpatrick novice winner Show And Go, though much will hinge on the readiness of Oscar Knight. Trained by Tom Mullins, this JP McManus-owned gelding has not run since March when he was an unplaced favourite for a handicap chase at Fairyhouse. His jumping has tended to let him down, but he looks a well-handicapped horse if putting it all together.

The two handicap hurdles present a big challenge. Perhaps the most interesting runner in the more valuable race (3.25) is Morga, a Des McDonogh-trained mare whose last run over hurdles saw her finish fourth to the subsequent Ebor winner Heartbreak City in a handicap at the festival. Since then she has raced three times on the Flat, giving her best performance when chasing home odds-on chance Almela in a Listed race at this venue. Also worth including are the 12-year-old Ballyadam Brook, who retains ability six years after winning a novice hurdle at this track, and Top Othe Ra, who won a bumper at the 2013 festival and did not appear again until second in a recent handicap at Tipperary.

In the concluding handicap (3.55) Thursday's penalised Clonmel winner Orchard Road is put forward along with recent Thurles scorer Summer Storm and Poormans Hill, a course bumper winner yet to make an impact over hurdles but now making his handicap debut off a reasonable mark.

SELECTIONS

1.10
4 Presenting Percy

1.45
1 Killiney Court
6 Just Cause

2.20
3 Oscar Knight
5 Show And Go

2.50
5 Potters Point

3.25
3 Morga
10 Ballyadam Brook
12 Top Othe Ra

3.55
1 Orchard Road
4 Summer Storm
9 Poormans Hill