Galway Festival: day two

As expected, Dermot Weld landed a double here yesterday and is well on the way to being leading trainer at this meeting for an incredible 26th time. He has more good chances today, starting with Universal Truth (Robbie McNamara) in the opening maiden hurdle at 18.10 CET. Weld has won the 7 furlongs race for 2yo maiden fillies at 20.55 five times already this century, and now relies on debutante Zaminast (Pat Smullen) and another first time out winner for the pair could be Parlour in the 3yo maiden at 21.35; in both cases Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning supply the main dangers. Northern Rocket in the handicap for older horses, also over 7 furlongs at 21.05, is another possible winner for the Weld/ Smullen team, but they have no runner in the day´s top event, a valuable mile handicap at 20.00. With a maximum field of 18, this is very tough; our three against the field are CD specialist and last year´s winner Rock and Roll Kid (Tony and Danny Mullins) Mujaazef (Kevin Prendergast/ Declan McDonogh) and If Per Chance (Mike Halford/ Fran Berry).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Universal Truth - Drumfire - Clonard Lad
2. Race: Natal - Invisible Man - Killenaule Boy
3. Race: Don Leone - Siege Of Ennis - Summerlea
4. Race: If Per Chance - Mujaazef - Sixteen Forty Two
5. Race: Hasty Katie - Zaminast - Luxurious
6. Race: Northern Rocked - Initiation - He`S Got Rhythm
7. Race: Purple Land - Parlour - Big Bad Billy Bob