4.20 Galway – Anglo Printers Handicap Hurdle (2m 160y, €12,500, Yielding to Soft)

Pace & Draw Angles:
Galway’s 2m hurdle track can suit those with a prominent position, especially if the ground eases further. This looks an even pace setup with natural trailblazers like Battle Of Ridgeway and Tingarran Express likely to go forward. Hold-up types risk traffic problems in a 20-runner field. No major draw bias over hurdles here, but field position will be crucial.

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Strongest Contenders

• Desert Haven (P) – 5yo with strong recent figures (117, 114, 113). Three solid handicap runs in the summer, narrowly beaten at Down Royal latest. Handles yielding ground, and this trip suits ideally. Looks set to strike soon.
• Killian’s Garden (P) – improving novice winner at Kilbeggan; bred for further but travels well at 2m. Opening mark (110) not lenient, but RPR 120 puts him well in the mix. Unexposed and open to progress.
• Hudson (p) – French Flat recruit who ran third in a Kilbeggan handicap (RPR 111). First handicap effort suggested more to come. Lightly raced, well-handicapped 4yo, has upside.
• Tingarran Express (Proven) – consistent mare, in form after Tramore win, often finds for pressure. Now tackling geldings, but reliable at this level.

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Main Dangers

• Leave In Secret (p) – Ballinrobe maiden winner, some mixed runs but capable of better back at 2m. Needs to improve jumping but profiles as a handicap scorer in time.
• Kotkito Bello (P) – improved in cheekpieces, good third at Galway Festival over C&D. Still unexposed, looks a strong contender if headgear works again.
• Stily (p) – progressing, 2nd at Limerick and 3rd at Ballinrobe in stronger races. Off low mark (86) and creeping up.
• Battle Of Ridgeway – chaser by trade, but dual hurdles winner off lower marks. Latest chase win at Wexford came in dramatic fashion; consistency a concern.

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Interesting Outsiders

• Bossing It – Tramore third, Kilbeggan maiden winner before that. RPR 119 gives her claims if bouncing back.
• Falcon Park – in-and-out but previously progressive hurdler for another yard; tricky to weigh up after poor Clonmel run.
• Rock Ya Boy Ya – long-standing maiden but has placed in handicaps; not totally hopeless off 94.

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Runner Scores (/10 suitability today)

• Desert Haven – 9/10 (progressive form, trip/ground ideal)
• Killian’s Garden – 8.5/10 (unexposed, scopey mark, may stay further)
• Hudson – 8/10 (improving handicapper, still lightly raced)
• Kotkito Bello – 8/10 (C&D placed, cheekpieces helped)
• Tingarran Express – 7.5/10 (reliable, but slight class ceiling)
• Stily – 7/10 (well treated, needs a bit of luck in running)
• Leave In Secret – 6.5/10 (work to do but capable)
• Battle Of Ridgeway – 6/10 (inconsistent, trainer prefers fences)
• Bossing It – 6/10 (needs bounce back)
• Falcon Park – 5.5/10 (talent but out of form)
• Rock Ya Boy Ya – 5/10 (place claims only)
• The rest – <5/10, need major improvement.

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Private Tissue (fair odds estimate)

• Desert Haven 4/1
• Killian’s Garden 9/2
• Hudson 7/1
• Kotkito Bello 7/1
• Tingarran Express 9/1
• Stily 12/1
• Leave In Secret 14/1
• Battle Of Ridgeway 16/1
• Bossing It 18/1
• Others 20/1+

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Summary

Plenty of unexposed or progressive types meet seasoned handicappers here. The improvers from the novice ranks are likely to dominate.

Smart Play generated by Chatgpt:

• Win bet – Desert Haven (ready to win after a sequence of solid runs, form franked, optimum trip/ground)
• Each-way saver – Hudson (unexposed 4yo, promising handicap debut, still ahead of the assessor)

Market watch advised for Stily and Kotkito Bello, both shaped like winners in waiting.