TimeformBlog

Sulwaan looked a useful prospect when accounting for Tavern Times and Princeton Plains in a four-runner race at Sligo on his first start over hurdles so it is no surprise to see him heading the market in the opening novice hurdle. However, he was getting plenty of weight that day and he will need to improve to beat the progressive Devils Bit. John O'Shea's colt has won his last two completed starts over jumps and would have been placed but for getting brought down two out in a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse in between. This stiff track will suit Devils Bit (stays 1¾m on the Flat) and he looks the value bet at 4.5.

The feature race on the card, the carlton.ie/galwaycity handicap, looks a devilishly difficult puzzle to solve with twelve horses separated by just five pounds on Timeform ratings. Picking the winner certainly won't be easy, but one I'd be prepared to go against is the Dermot Weld-trained Natural High. The son of Sadler's Wells won a bumper on debut here two years ago and has since gone on to win three times on the Flat, but it is easy to pick holes in his form with two of those Flat wins coming in uncompetitive minor events. He has been beaten on all three tries in handicaps, including when heavily backed at this meeting last year, and has shown clear signs of temperment on more than one occasion. He appeals as the type that may well be overbet, especially if Weld has had winners earlier on the card, so a place lay is advised.

There is a good chance that we have yet to see the best of Nantucket Bay and he looks worth another try from an ITC mark of 86 in the 19:45. He showed a willing attitude to get the better of Wakhan in a maiden at Navan in May and wasn't beaten far in a lady-riders race at the Curragh last time. He is still unexposed after just three starts and may get his own way up front in a race lacking an obvious front runner. This stiff track will suit and Joseph O'Brien is taking a very handy three pounds off.

Recommendations
Back Devils Bit @ 4.5 in the 17:05 at Galway
Place Lay Natural High @ 2.0 in the 18:45 at Galway
Back Nantucket Bay @ 5.2 in the 19:45 at Galway

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