Galway Festival day three preview: World can Rule in Plate
Published:
The big betting race on day three of the Galway Festival is the Galway Plate (17.30), and Rule The World looks to hold leading claims in a typically fierce and wide-open renewal of the 2m 6f feature contest.
Trained by the popular Mouse Morris, the gelding has some top class form to his name over hurdles and was rated 152 at his peak.
Although yet to score in seven starts over fences, Rule The World has finished runner-up on five occasions and posted some really sold efforts.
They include an excellent second to the now 153-rated Wounded Warrior in a decent Grade 2 contest at Naas back in January, and a cracking second of 28 to Thunder And Roses in the Irish Grand National off a mark of 141 on his penultimate outing.
Rule The World travelled strongly and jumped really well in the latter, looking the ideal type for this contest.
Although the eight-year-old was then not at his best when sixth of 19 to Gallant Oscar when last seen in action at Punchestown, that run came just 26 days after his gallant exploits in the National and Rule The World has since been given a break to freshen up.
The assessor has also dropped Rule The World 1lb to a mark of 144, and on the pick of his form that looks exploitable.
Another plus is that this race will be run at a strong end-to-end gallop which will suit, and with Davy Russell in the saddle everything points to a big run.
Trainer Dermot Weld has an unbelievable record at the Festival, so duo Stuccodor and New Agenda can provide the Rosewell handler with a double on his 67th birthday.
Stuccodor runs in the 2m maiden hurdle (15.00) and looks to have far stronger credentials than main market rival Thomas Hobson.
The gelding has shaped with plenty of promise in three decent contests over the obstacles, finishing runner-up in the last two, and should have won last time out when given too much to do.
This looks a golden opportunity for Stuccodor to gain compensation and go one better.
New Agenda shaped with bags of promise when third of 14 on debut at Naas in a race which has thrown up subsequent winners, and granted normal improvement is going to be very tough to beat in the 1m maiden that closes proceedings (19.10).
Selections:
15.00: Stuccodor (NB)
15.35: Lost Book
16.10: Lone Star
16.45: Here For The Craic
17.30: Rule The World (NAP)
18.05: Equation Of Time
18.40: Laganore
19.10: New Agenda
