The application of blinkers can reap some spectacular results for punters at Galway today with Arellano and Hip Pocket selected to carry their headgear past the post first.
Arellano is the Jim Bolger runner in the £17,000 Premier Nursery, and while the first-time blinkers are a significant move, it`s the increase in distance to seven furlongs that can be the decisive factor.
Up to the end of April Arellano had three starts over five furlongs, and, although placed third to Balladeur in the last of them, the colt appeared to be crying out for a trip.
As a son of Erins Isle that`s hardly surprising. Not nearly as surprising as the comparatively weak turn out for this race. Like A Dream is a Bellewstown winner, Always Rainbows was last in the Tyros Stakes and Arellano gets weight from both of them. Leaffoney could be the biggest danger, but Arellano can get off the mark.
Hip Pocket is also a first-time blinkers horse, but he too looks a horse that will reallybenefit from the hike in distance to the two mile handicap.
Two starts over a mile and a half last season previewed a series of races over seven furlongs and a mile, but as a son of Ela Mana Mou and a mare who was best over middle distances, it`s worth betting that Hip Pocket really needs a trip.
Ranged against him is Monday`s shock, 25 to 1 GPT Handicap winner Gamekeeper, and while this one is in theory still ahead of the handicapper it must be a worry that Monday represented such a huge improvement on anything else he has achieved.
Another horse that has already won during the week is Watchowillie, who turns out again in the featured £20,000 Dawn Milk Handicap Hurdle.
Whatchowillie`s liking for the track was emphasised by his neck defeat of Shaiyran, and, with Ruby Walsh claimed for Cappamore Girl, Barry Geraghty steps into plate.
The Storm Cat colt Hadrian`s Wall is hard to oppose in the mile maiden, while Sean Connors looks the safest option in the handicap chase. The Leopardstown winner Roomtoroom Express was a disappointing favourite for the Land Rover race back in the spring, but could be worth another chance in the bumper.
