Galway Festival: day three

the big Galway meeting goes into its third day and once again it seems that Dermot Weld is the trainer to follow here after 5 successes on the first two days. His runners in the 8 1/2 furlong handicaps in particular look interesting - Moving Heart at 18.05 CET and Surfer Girl at 18.40, both with stable jockey Pat Smullen aboard. A German-bred runner with chances is Isabellereine (Mervyn Torrens/ Keagan Latham), who runs in the 1 1/2 miles handicap at 16.10. She won 5 races in Germany in 2007 but has been very lightly-raced since. These are all flat races, but the main emphasis today is over jumps, and the Galway Plate at 17.25, a handicap chase over 2 3/4 miles, is the big race of the day. Paul Nicholls won this last year with Oslot, and now sends over Roby de Cimbre (Ruby Walsh), who has had the same preparation. He is the only runner of the week for the British champion trainer and he is certain to start favourite. Royal County Star (Tony Martin/ Davy Russell) has won his l ast 3 races but it would be a tremendous achievement to win this event off top-weight. With the ground riding very soft, it is highly likely that one of the lower weights will win this. Tony McCoy had the choice of 4 runners owned by JPMcManus and has chosen Christy Roche´s Cool Running, which must be a tip in itself; he meets his last-time-out conqueror Piano Star on 9 lbs better terms now.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Tawaagg - Baily Rock - Woodland Traveller
2. Race: Corrick Bridge - Steve Capall - Armaramak
3. Race: Teach Nua - Tin Town Boy - Not Til Monday
4. Race: Blackstairmountain - Miss Chaparral - Baracas
5. Race: Roby De Cimbre - Wins Now - Royal County Star
6. Race: Moving Heart - Izagonawin - Halaziya
7. Race: Napa Starr - Young Lochinvar - Forbidden
8. Race: Maurice Utrillo - Precious Gem - Prayer Boat