Tote Galway Plate betting strategy The Tote Galway Plate is the highlight of the summer racing season in Ireland and this year’s renewal promises to be a thrilling affair once again. Shark Hanlon’s bargain buy Hewick tops the weights as he attempts to join an elite group of back to back winners of this historic race. Legendary names such as Life Of A Lord (1995 and 1996) and Ansar (2004 and 2005) managed to pull off the feat of winning the big race in consecutive years and if the weather holds Hewick is in with a good shot at doing the same. Hewick carried 11st 7lbs to victory last year and while his rating has soared to 167 in the interim he will only have 5lbs more on his back this time which certainly gives him a fighting chance of a repeat win. Rain is forecast for Galway today and that is not great news for supporters of Hewick as most of his best form is on a sound surface. Testing conditions would also appear to be a negative for one of the other favourites, Kilcruit. Willie Mullins’ charge isn’t necessarily ground dependent, but his stamina is unproven over this sort of distance and there is a suspicion that if the race turns into a slog it won’t suit him. Kilcruit is also having his first try around this unique course and it remains to be seen if he takes to it. Other leading contenders racing at Galway for the first time include Fury Road, Lifetime Ambition and Final Orders. All three have the form to contend and have no issues regarding the going or their stamina for this race distance. Enniskerry, on the other hand, is a doubtful stayer, but does boast winning form over the course having won his beginners chase at the Festival last year over a distance that was half a mile shorter than he will face today. Ash Tree Meadow was a little unlucky in this race last year when he finished fourth behind Hewick. He was hampered by a loose horse after the last fence and his rider lost his whip in the closing stage. He is only 1lbs higher in the ratings this year and will be a strong contender with the in-form Danny Gilligan taking 7lbs off his back if he manages to handle the ground. All his best form is on Good ground. With the Tote paying four places each-way on the Plate there looks to be some value in playing a couple of light-weights to make the frame. Gabbys Cross, the mount of Rachael Blackmore, won over the course and distance on the Friday of the Festival last year and has plenty of decent form on soft ground. He hasn’t raced since unseating Rachael in the Aintree Grand National in April, but has won before off similar breaks. Hollow Games is another intriguing runner towards the foot of the weights that looks worth playing each-way. He was a very capable staying novice hurdler two seasons ago and has a proven aptitude for testing conditions. Considering he won a point-to-point at the beginning of his career it’s surprising that he is yet to race over further than two miles and one furlongs in his four starts to date over regulation fences. Today’s extended distance with a feather weight on his back could well see Hollow Games produce a performance close to his novice hurdling days and would put him right in the thick of it today.
