Rufus King to rule
Steve Hughes has two picks for Galway’s feature on their final day of the Festival
It has been another excellent week of racing on Ballybrit and it comes to an end on Sunday with another mixed card. There are plenty of British raiders this afternoon and I have one of the party, plus a local runner as my two selections for the big 7f handicap. We had a good finish to Goodwood yesterday with Enbihaar a winner (advised 9/2) and both Stewards Cup each-way selections were placed – Summerghand (12/1) and Justanotherbottle (advised 8/1).
Galway 3.55: Rufus King & On A Session
Not surprisingly half of this field have already been in action at Galway already this week and much might depend on how those horses back up today. I have two hopefuls against the field.
Rufus King was a fine fourth from a wide draw on Tuesday’s mile feature, so clearly gets on well with this track. As a horse that likes to race prominently a lower draw ought to be an advantage today. He has been running over as far as 10f this season, but a strongly run 7f looks within his compass. He was third over 7f at Newmarket as recently as May. His last win came at Chelmsford a year ago off a mark of 98 and he is 9lbs lower today.
On A Session is an unexposed alternative. He has run without success at the last two Royal Ascot’s but this looks a far more attainable target. He won on handicap debut at Listowel in June over 61/2f, storming through late on despite handing. Cheekpieces have been applied since to straighten him out, but he has not really responded well to those and they have been removed again. However he has had excuses the last twice, being outclassed at Ascot and then drawn on the wrong side at the Curragh. He won’t be inconvenienced by any rain having won on soft going previously.
Recommended bets:
1pt each-way – Rufus King – 3.55 Galway – 13/2 general
0.5pts each-way – On a Session – 3.55 Galway – 25/1 Bet365
Next column – Wednesday 21st August – York Ebor meeting Day One
