2010 GALWAY PLATE PREVIEW AND BETTING TIPS

We’ve got a very interesting 25-strong field set to go for the 2010 Galway Plate at the namesake festival on Wednesday. This one has been an ante-post terror for a while with punters getting some jumps racing in during the prime time of flat racing. Ballyholland will not be back to defend his title so it is a bit more wide open than one would initially expect.

The Galway Plate is a solid wagering opportunity thanks to the excellent prices on offer this year. Majestic Concorde is the current betting favourite with a 9/2 price putting the gelding well ahead of his competition. He’s been laid off since May when he opened the season with a rather disappointing run in the Chester Cup. He did manage to conquer a 20-strong field at Galway, but has never scored at 2m6f and that price is simply too short for me.
I’m looking in the direction of The Fonze for my each-way selection and he’s been in some good form lately but will be stepping up in class here. He’s shown a bit more acumen at longer distances and can stay on fairly well, which will likely be the decisive factor here. He’s run against quality contenders in the past and acquitted himself rather well. I think this one may come down to who’s in form and this contender looks a decent bet at the moment based on recent results. 20/1 works for me.
AJ Martin’s Northern Alliance is a fearsome competitor but he’s been a bit off-and-on as of late. His 16/1 price tag isn’t bad and I think he’s definitely a contender on the place only. I would be willing to do some business around 25/1.
Themoonandsixpence is one of the more dangerous selections here and I think that a 10/1 price is a bit short in this race but that, by-and-large, he looks to be in good nick having not finished outside the top 3 since last April. He’s run 3111-2 and his second place finish in a novice chase at Punchestown came from a run that had more than a few mistakes. If he got a perfect trip, he likely would have taken it. I think that if he can stay on his feet then he is a real shout here.
Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Grand Slam Hero looks a decent bet at 12/1 and has been setting the world on fire so far this season, taking three from three at Bangor-on-Dee, Ffos Las and Market Rasen. He’s a real blue collar horse who looks to be ready to take on a higher level of competition and his odds indicate that the bookies think he’s got a great shout here.