Six to study at Galway: My way or the Highway

Dalton Highway (Dermot Weld)

This year hasn’t really gone to plan for Dermot Weld, but there have been signs of late that the tide might be starting to turn for him. He is sure to send a very strong raiding party to Galway and one that stands out is Dalton Highway who was unlucky to bump into the well handicapped Intrepid Prince at this meeting last year. Upped 2f in trip and retried in blinkers, Dalton Highway built on that promise with a convincing win at Navan in August and he very much caught the eye when a never-nearer third under an inexperienced apprentice on his return at Naas. He looks to have a bit in hand off his current mark of 78.

Shamad (Dermot Weld)

Another Weld inmate. Still a maiden after four starts but is improving all the time and would have finished much closer than fifth but for meeting trouble on his handicap debut at Naas last time. Benefited from the step up to 1¼m that day and is bred to stay even further so will have plenty of options during the course of the week and it would come as no surprise were he to be turned out more than once.

Lagostovegas (Willie Mullins)

Failed to fire on her first start for Willie Mullins but bolted up back on the Flat at Killarney last time. A 17 lb hike for that win won’t make things easy for her if, as expected, she takes her chance in the amateur handicap on Monday night, but remains on a workable mark over hurdles, particularly as she is yet to explore trips in excess of two miles over jumps.

Beau Satchel (Adrian McGuiness)

Horses for courses is a term that is often bandied about when it comes to Galway and one who certainly falls into that category is Beau Satchel. Ado McGuinness’s charge has won three times and finished third twice from just five starts at Ballybrit. He has shaped better than the bare result on a number of occasions this year and is now 6 lb lower than his last winning mark.

Whatsforuwontgobyu (Tony Martin)

Landed a big gamble in a Flat handicap at this track two years ago and was also well supported when winning over hurdles at Leopardstown later that year. Has clearly had some issues since, but shaped as if retaining ability on his first start for 13 months at The Curragh in May and has had legitimate excuses on both start since. Looks fairly treated both on the Flat and over jumps and any market support for him would be highly significant.

Lac Kivu (Willie Mullins)

Willie Mullins was leading trainer at this meeting last year when one of his winners was the subsequent Albert Bartlett winner Penhill. It is far too early to be thinking in terms of Cheltenham for Lac Kivu, but he did look a potential star when trouncing a big field on his hurdling debut at Punchestown in May. That form is working out well and Lac Kivu will be very hard to beat in whatever novice hurdle he turns up in.