Improving Leo Gali looks a standout in Oyster feature

RACING/GALWAY PREVIEW: LEO GALI can secure some valuable black type of the winning variety when she lines up for this evening…

RACING/GALWAY PREVIEW:LEO GALI can secure some valuable black type of the winning variety when she lines up for this evening's Listed feature at Galway.

Six of the eight runners for the €52,500 Ardilaun Hotel Oyster Stakes are fillies and they tackle the one-time Classic prospect Address Unknown as well as the hardy dual-purpose operator Rajik.

The latter is in the form of his life having added the Ballycullen Stakes to a summer festival victory at Ballybrit a month ago but he has to concede weight all around.

Address Unknown is the unknown quantity as Dermot Weld’s colt was runner-up in the Derrinstown Trial to Midas Touch before disappointing badly in the Silver Stakes at the Curragh in early June. He hasn’t been seen since and facing the final hill at Galway could find him out.

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In contrast Leo Gali comes here on the back of a fine second in the Group Three Give Thanks Stakes at Cork where she had Zarebiya and Sense Of Purpose behind her. David Wachman’s daughter of Galileo was reversing previous Roscommon Listed form with Sense Of Purpose so looks to be on the upgrade at the right time.

Aidan O’Brien has two in the feature and also two in the €30,000 Nursery including Johnny Murtagh’s mount Treasure Beach. The Ballydoyle number one can hardly be a confident choice to operate around Galway on the evidence of a maiden victory at Gowran that came despite Treasure Beach veering dramatically left, forcing Murtagh into a fine recovery.

Act Of Love at least has course experience having finished runner-up here at the summer festival and David Marnane’s juvenile looks a value alternative.

Ruby Walsh can be among the winners at Downpatrick on Hail Caesar in the novice hurdle.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column