Blazers banker? 'She's much better over fences than hurdles. I fancy her'

Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase | 2m6½f | 4yo+ | TG4/RTV

This is often branded as a consolation race for the Galway Plate but it has developed into much more than that. The quality of the 2m6½f contest has grown considerably in recent years, and the standard is set by last year’s Irish National winner Freewheelin Dylan.

Dermot McLoughlin’s ten-year-old has yet to win a race since that famous 150-1 triumph on Easter Monday 2021, and only three winners have been aged ten or older since 2000, so this is no easy task for the topweight.

Last year’s winner Born By The Sea is back for another crack at the €80,000 event off a 6lb higher mark, and it looks as though Paul Gilligan has campaigned him with this in mind.

The local trainer used the same path en route to last year’s success with the eight-year-old, and son Jack’s 7lb claim will no doubt prove a valuable asset again.

The Blazers is one of the few big handicaps that has eluded Gordon Elliott at the Galway festival, and he saddles three in Coach Carter (Davy Russell), Hardline (Jack Kennedy) and Aramax (Jody McGarvey), with Glenloe also among the reserves.

Aramax is also one of four JP McManus runners and Mark Walsh opts for Ulster National winner Spades Are Trumps. Gavin Cromwell’s gelding has not been seen since easily collecting Downpatrick’s biggest prize and is likely to be right there off a mark of 129, but this trip may just be on the short side.

Noel Meade last won the Galway Blazers in 1992 with Fane Banks, and his sole runner Everglow is interesting. The son of Presenting was very game when holding off the smart Chinx Of Light at Kilbeggan last time and a mark of 134 on his first handicap start over fences seems fair.

Everglow: in good form since joining Noel Meade yardCredit: Alan Crowhurst

The most consistent runner in the field is undoubtedly Busselton, who has finished out of the first four just twice in 18 career starts, and warmed up for this with a recent Flat win at Ballinrobe.

Fan De Blues was a gutsy winner of a Grade 3 at this meeting last year over a little shorter and is Willie Mullins’ sole representative. He did his best work late when fourth behind El Barra at the Punchestown festival, and the extra furlong here is likely to play to his strengths, although he has roughly five and a half lengths to find with Busselton off 2lb better terms based on that run.

John Ryan has never been shy of getting one ready for a big occasion, and the form of Waitnsee’s hurdle win at Kilbeggan got a major boost with the second Rock Road easily winning here on Wednesday, while Bold Emperor looked back to his best when shooting clear at Wexford last time and a 10lb rise seems fair enough given the manner of victory.

What they say

Dermot McLoughlin, trainer of Freewheelin Dylan
He’s in good form. He has a lot of weight to carry but the ground looks as though it’ll be fine. You’d obviously like a stone lighter on your back but it is what it is.

Joseph O’Brien, trainer of Busselton
He’s been a real solid horse for us over the past two years. He had a great season last year and ran well here. He’s had a few good runs on the Flat recently which should set him up nicely for this.

Paul Townend, rider of Fan De Blues
He ran a cracker in the novice handicap at Punchestown, coming from a long way back to finish fourth. He's been competitive in big handicaps. The step up in trip will help and I think he's a real live player.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Jeremys Flame and Spades Are Trumps
Jeremys Flame didn’t get into the Plate, which was her target. She’s in good nick and the trip and ground should be fine. It may be a little on the sharp side for Spades Are Trumps but he won the Ulster National around Downpatrick so I think the undulations of the track will probably suit him, although dropping back in trip a bit is maybe not ideal.

Paul Gilligan, trainer of Born By The Sea
He seems in good form. He has a little more weight than last year but he’s very consistent. He’s a real Galway horse, he loves it around there.

John Ryan, trainer of Waitnsee
She should run a big race. The horses couldn't be in better form and the Kilbeggan form has worked out well. She's much better over fences than hurdles. I fancy her.

Friday previews:

1.50 Goodwood: Can stayer named after Jack Grealish provide Villa owner-breeder with big win?

2.25 Goodwood: Norwegian and German raiders lay siege to Britain's Thoroughbred stronghold

3.00 Goodwood: Can front-runner Noble Dynasty make all from a perfect draw in stall three?

3.35 Goodwood: Appleby confident 'the best I've trained' Raasel can emerge as new sprinting ace

6.35 Galway: More Mullins domination? Baby Zeus out to improve on last year's fourth

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