Preview GALWAY 8th Sep

Galway's seven-race dual-code card features the Listed Ardilaun Hotel Oyster Stakes, which looks a trappy affair with several in with chances.

Dermot Weld's 103-rated Ghimaar is an obvious starting point, having won so convincingly in a course-and-distance handicap at the Festival meeting here in July. The trainer believes he will be more of a force next season and he looks an exciting prospect.

The versatile Celtic Dane also won well here at the Festival but has since performed below that form at the Curragh and has found this trip beyond his stamina limitations, while Honoria looks the pick of the Aidan O'Brien-trained duo.

Racing gets under way with the Electronic Retail Security Handicap at 4.25 and it looks a similarly tricky puzzle.

Hotspur is bound to be brimming with confidence following his opening success at Fairyhouse, but a 9lb hike in the weights cannot be taken lightly and the likes of Jaillissante and Vertigo On Course have shown enough to suggest they could take take advantage.

Handicap newcomer Whisper Dance might be one to keep an eye on in the betting market as his debut performance at Clonmel back in May offered some hope and an initial mark of 59 gives him a chance.

The first jumps race on the card is the Deacy & Associates Novice Chase and Dreamy Gent may take all the beating.

Jessica Harrington's six-year-old boasts a rating of 132 over timber and could not have won with a greater degree of ease on his chasing bow at Ballinrobe in June.

He has since found one too good both on the level and on his second chase start, but he remains unexposed and will be strongly fancied to regain the winning thread.

Matters At Hand has developed an off-putting habit of finishing second and was doing so for the fifth time in his six-race career at Killarney late last month.

There is little reason to question his resolve and his form is relatively strong, yet it is tempting to look for an alternative in the A1 Dental Care Maiden and Tarvini showed enough when fourth on his debut at Wexford to suggest

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