2nd August 2017

Hi ,

This week sees what I consider to be the best racing week in the entire year with the Glorious Goodwood meeting plus seven days of the Galway Festival in Ireland.

Galway races dates back as far as the 13th century however racing under jockey club rules started in 1869 which was the inspiration of Lord St Lawrence which saw forty thousand people turn up on the first day. In modern times you now have in access of 150,000 pass through the gates during the Festival. They still claim to have the largest bar in the World under the stand where you can hear songs about Galway races inspired by the Dubliners, Clancey brothers and Chieftans being belted out.

The racing at Goodwood also has a long history dating back to 1802 when the then Duke of Richmond introduced racing as entertainment for the officers of the Sussex Militia. Today Goodwood is recognised as the most beautiful track on the planet surrounded by wonderful views of the Sussex downs.

One could say the main difference between the two festivals is that although you will see high class racing at both venues at Galway the races are mixed where you can see jumping and flat races on the same card. Of course the other differing point is at Goodwood they drink gallons of champagne where at Galway it’s Guinness.

Now for Howies Hottie today I’m going to play in the Galway opener at 3.15 a novice hurdle over 2 miles on Silver Concorde who is pretty decent on the flat and who won the Champion bumper back at Cheltenham in 2014. The gelding is trained by Dermot Weld and ridden by Brian Cooper who will be out to prove a point after losing his job as Giginstown studs retained jockey.

EYE-CATCHERS

FLAT

Regal Miss trainer P.Charmings - Has dropped to an attractive mark and was only touched off close to home at Lingfield.

Flaming Spear trainer K.Ryan - Could never get a clear passage at Ascot and perhaps might have just needed this after a break. He is entered at Goodwood on Friday and Galway on Sunday so keep em peeled.

Makazeem trainer R.Charlton - Ran well at Ascot but might have been drawn on the wrong side of the track.

Thar ir trainer M.Appleby - Ran a blinder at Goodwood yesterday when coming late to snatch a place. The horse was at stud but never got going at that game and has been brought back to race. He will improve and is a winner waiting to happen.

Back next Wednesday be lucky.

Howard Davis-Shaw.

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