Racecards
15:00 Galway (IRE)
Marlin Hotel Dublin, Supporting The National Breast Cancer Institute Hurdle (Grade 3) (Class 1)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 156y
- Going: Soft (Heavy in places)
- Surface: Turf
- €27,500 added
- Winner: €16,500
- 2nd: €5,500
- 3rd: €2,751
- 4th: €1,375
- Form 4/3122-1
- Age 6
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 142
- Trainer N Meade
- Jockey Sean Flanagan
chased leader in 2nd, pressed leader after 3 out, disputed 2 out, led before last, shaken up briefly last, clear run-in, easily
- Form 113-851
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer R Hackett
- Jockey Darragh O'Keeffe
held up in rear, slight mistake 5th, ridden before 2 out, no impression and slight mistake 2 out, kept on one pace
- Form 2/31110-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 141
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey Rachael Blackmore
led, pressed after 3 out, joined 2 out, soon ridden, headed before last, no extra and kept on same pace
Grand Roi (FR)
247- Form 6/31411-
- Age 4
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey Mark Walsh
settled 3rd, slight mistakes 7th and 4 out, closer on outer after 3 out, ridden before 2 out where slight mistake, no impression before last, kept on same pace
In depth
Verdict
Although Happy Jacky won easily at Tipperary, he'll need major progress against a trio of very promising hurdlers. Beacon Edge, an impressive debut winner over hurdles and narrowly beaten in a Grade 1 bumper and Listed and Grade 2 company over timber, won very easily at Downpatrick earlier this month. Minella Melody completed a hat-trick over hurdles when beating the smart Colreevy in a Fairyhouse Grade 3 before disappointing when favourite for the Dawn Run at Cheltenham. The four-year-old GRAND ROI has been bought for £400,000 from Nicky Henderson's yard after winning his opening two races over timber in very impressive style. He'll be ready for this and gets the nod in a fascinating little race.
Formwatch
Beacon Edge (IRE) 4-11fav (12-0) Tracked leader, not fluent 5th, on terms 3 out, niggled along briefly after 2 out, led travelling well before last and quickly clear, pushed along to maintain advantage inside final furlong, easily, won at Downpatrick 2m 3f Yielding in Oct beating Rocky Court (12-0) by 9l, 6 ran.
Happy Jacky (IRE) 7-2 (10-8) Rear of mid-division, headway before 5th, 3rd after 6th, travelled well into 2nd after 3 out, soon led, asserted 2 out, clear before last where mistake, kept on, eased closing stages, easily, won at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp sft in Aug beating Ice Cold Soul (10-11) by 7l, 8 ran.
Minella Melody (IRE) 11-4fav (11-7) Prominent, took keen hold, led just after 2nd, headed home bend, soon weakened, eased, 18th of 22, dist behind Concertista (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) sft in Mar.
Grand Roi (FR) 1-2fav (11-4) Made all, wandered slightly into 3rd, drew clear from last (normal 2 out), easily, won at Warwick 2m (4) hvy in Feb beating Manucci (11-4) by 13l, 5 ran.