IE - Galway - Race 5

Thoroughbred

21 Runners

16.1f

Group 3 Hurdle

Turf

Good

316.5K

VIEW

Verdict

An ultra-competitive renewal of this valuable contest with the vote in favour of EL CAIROS, who has long been held in high regard by connections and appeals as one of the few in the field who may still have his best days ahead of him. He was disappointing when last seen but has been freshened up since, and it’s notable that Jack Kennedy keeps the faith. Laafi boasts some strong handicap form and is feared, along with the unexposed Gameball and last year’s first past the post, Helvic Dream.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob	Odds
4	Created a good impression over hurdles last season, winning a maiden at Thurles before finishing fifth in the Supreme at Cheltenham. Disappointing behind Eachtotheirown in Champion Novices' Hurdle at Punchestown last time but could have more to offer now handicapping. Wears first-time tongue strap. 1st Pick 4 El Cairos (Fr) Jockey: J. W. Kennedy Trainer: Gordon Elliott, Ireland J: J. W. Kennedy T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland	98	-	-	-	15%	6/1
Analysis Created a good impression over hurdles last season, winning a maiden at Thurles before finishing fifth in the Supreme at Cheltenham. Disappointing behind Eachtotheirown in Champion Novices' Hurdle at Punchestown last time but could have more to offer now handicapping. Wears first-time tongue strap.
5	Has developed into a smart hurdler, finishing first past the post in a competitive handicap at Aintree (disqualified due to rider going over the permitted level of strikes) and then progressing again when collared late on by Moon Chime in Swinton Hurdle at Haydock in May. Yard remains in good order. 2nd Pick 5 Laafi (Fr) Jockey: Patrick Michael O'brien Trainer: William Durkan, Ireland J: Patrick Michael O'brien T: William Durkan, Ireland	99	-	-	-	12%	8/1
Analysis Has developed into a smart hurdler, finishing first past the post in a competitive handicap at Aintree (disqualified due to rider going over the permitted level of strikes) and then progressing again when collared late on by Moon Chime in Swinton Hurdle at Haydock in May. Yard remains in good order.
12	Bumper winner for A. Slattery last summer and followed up in Punchestown maiden hurdle on debut for current yard in the autumn. Found less than looked likely when 10 lengths second of 14 to Paul's Dream in 2½m handicap at Kilbeggan 20 days ago and a well-run 2m may just prove ideal. 3rd Pick 12 Gameball (Ire) Jockey: D. J. O'keeffe Trainer: Henry De Bromhead, Ireland J: D. J. O'keeffe T: Henry De Bromhead, Ireland	98	-	-	-	7%	14/1
Analysis Bumper winner for A. Slattery last summer and followed up in Punchestown maiden hurdle on debut for current yard in the autumn. Found less than looked likely when 10 lengths second of 14 to Paul's Dream in 2½m handicap at Kilbeggan 20 days ago and a well-run 2m may just prove ideal.

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Horse Racing Basic Terms

Scratch

A horse is a scratch when injury or other necessity causes it to be withdrawn from the race.

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A medication for the treatment of bleeding in horses that is legal in North America, but not all worldwide jurisdictions.

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A wager involving choosing the first, second, third, and fourth horses in one race in the exact order. A superfecta box involves paying more to ensure they can finish in any order in the top four spots.