2:28 Galway
The QuinnBet 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle at Galway over 2m0f90y on yielding ground brings together a field of 15 juveniles where experience and course knowledge are at a premium. KTB's Fit Scores are tightly bunched at the top, with three principals tied on 52 and the next pair on 48, underlining how open the contest looks on paper. The muddling pace shape adds another layer, as there is no clear leader and those who can settle effectively close to the pace may hold an edge.
How the race shapes up
With no obvious front-runner the race is expected to unfold in a muddling, tactical manner that should favour horses ridden close to the pace. Prominent runners such as Espritroyale, Borora Aura, Dunmore, Plug In Hybrid, Green Soul and Starship Trooper are likely to track or dispute early while the held-up types including Another Day Done, Julie's Moon and Sazerac Dance will look to come from further back. The key question is which horse can produce the most effective late effort once the tempo lifts in the straight on this yielding surface.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Espritroyale52/100
Espritroyale brings the benefit of ten runs this year and has already placed once from a single start at Galway. He usually races prominently, on or close to the lead, which should suit the anticipated muddling pace. The yard's 7% strike rate at the track from 388 runs sits below their overall figure while Kevin Sexton's 11% from 95 rides here is in line with his record at other courses. He has one run on yielding ground without winning or placing and steps up markedly in trip for the first time, both of which add uncertainty.
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2Belle Nuit52/100
Belle Nuit has shown some ability on her four runs at Galway, finishing fourth twice, though she has yet to win. She typically settles in midfield, which could be well suited to the tactical nature of this race. Trainer Paul Nolan posts a 7% strike rate at the track from 212 runs, in line with his record elsewhere, and Jordan Gainford operates at 9% from 53 rides here, also matching his wider figures. The step up to 2m is an unknown and she remains lightly raced overall with only seven career starts; the dam has had one other runner that did not win.
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3Another Day Done KTB Selection52/100
Another Day Done arrives with a modest recent record of 796 and steps up in trip for the first time while wearing first-time headgear. He is usually held up and produces his effort late, a run-style that could prove effective in a muddling, tactical contest. The yard holds an 8% strike rate at Galway from 26 runs, in line with their record elsewhere, while Sean Flanagan is operating at a 12% strike rate here from 248 rides, above his figure at other tracks. No prior runs on yielding ground or at this course leave both those factors as unknowns at this stage.
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4Julie's Moon48/100
Julie's Moon has shown little in three starts so far with recent form of 68 and no wins at this trip from two attempts. Usually held up, she will look to come from off the pace in a race that may not be run at a strong gallop. The yard records a 15% strike rate at Galway from 68 runs in line with their record elsewhere while Danny Mullins has an 8% strike rate here from 319 rides also in line with his wider figures. A half-sister to Morricone among a modest family and with only three runs overall this is a low-confidence profile that needs to improve markedly.
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5Sharkeyboy48/100
Sharkeyboy has shown some ability with a placing from his only run at Galway and holds a career record of six starts. He typically settles in midfield, which should be comfortable in this tactical affair. Mullins has a 17% strike rate here from 1,187 runs which is below his 22% at other tracks, and Townend is on 15% from 397 rides at the course which is also below his 22% elsewhere. The trip is a step up today and remains an unknown, while the dam's limited family record offers little guidance; he has been placed twice from four starts on yielding ground.
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6Borora Aura47/100
Borora Aura has shown some ability on yielding ground with a placed effort from three starts but steps up markedly in trip today from 1m to 2m. This is a fresh question for a horse that remains lightly raced overall after 14 starts. The trainer's 10% strike rate at Galway is in line with his record elsewhere while the jockey has only four rides at the track which is too small a sample to judge.
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7Dunmore47/100
Dunmore has shown little in two starts at this trip and was beaten a long way on his most recent outing. He is a half-brother to Group 2 winner Armande and the dam has produced four winners from seven runners but that pedigree has yet to show on the track. The trainer holds a 10% strike rate at Galway from 277 runs while the jockey is operating at 3% from 261 rides here.
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8Plug In Hybrid44/100
Lightly raced with only three career runs so the form must be read with caution. Steps up sharply in trip today to 2m having last run over 1m2f which asks a fresh question. Half-brother to Black Hawk Eagle who won five times and the dam has produced three winners from seven other runners.
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9Green Soul44/100
Green Soul showed fair form when fourth on hurdling debut over 1m7½f. The trip is stepped up today for the first time so poses a fresh question. A half-brother to Listed winner Game Point he comes from a yard with an 11% strike rate at Galway in line with their record elsewhere.
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10Sazerac Dance44/100
Sazerac Dance has shown enough in four starts over shorter distances to suggest she stays competitive at this level but remains lightly raced and open to improvement. She steps up in trip today which asks a fresh question of her stamina. The yard and jockey both record a 7% strike rate at Galway which sits in line with their figures elsewhere.
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11Fits Perfect43/100
Fits Perfect has shown little in two runs at this track and steps up markedly in trip today as a fresh question. The half-brother to Group 2 winner Goodie Two Shoes brings some pedigree interest and remains lightly raced overall. Trainer and jockey both record 11% and 10% strike rates at Galway that sit in line with their figures at other courses.
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12Blissful Bonita43/100
Blissful Bonita has a win at today's trip from her sole attempt and finished a respectable fourth on her only run here at Galway. The yard's 7% strike rate at the track sits below their overall figure while the jockey is still seeking a first Galway success from five rides. She remains unproven on yielding ground.
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13Starship Trooper42/100
Starship Trooper has shown little in six runs and was well beaten on his only start this year. He steps up markedly in trip today while wearing headgear for the first time, both of which pose fresh questions. The yard operates at a 5% strike rate here, in line with their record elsewhere, and the same applies to the jockey.
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14Wills History39/100
Wills History has only one run behind him so the form is impossible to weigh up with any confidence. He drops back from 2m2f to a trip he has never tried which asks a fresh question while the yard records a 5% strike rate at Galway from 65 runs in line with their overall figure. The jockey has had only four rides at the track so that is too small a sample to judge and the dam has produced a half-brother to a dual winner.
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15The Wee Man39/100
The Wee Man showed little on his only start at this track when finishing eighth and has been well held in his other four runs. The yard's 2% strike rate at Galway from 55 runs is in line with their record elsewhere while the jockey is 0 from 18 rides here. Stepping up in trip for the first time today asks a fresh question of a horse whose half-brother Dazzling Rock won four times.
KTB verdict
Another Day Done is the KTB Selection in a race where the principals are closely matched on Fit Scores. His held-up run-style looks well suited to the muddling pace shape and the booking of Sean Flanagan, who strikes at 12% at Galway from 248 rides, adds to the appeal. The first-time headgear may help him put a modest recent record of 796 behind him, though the lack of experience on yielding ground and at the track remain unknowns. The main dangers are Espritroyale, whose prominent style and course placing give him a solid platform, and Belle Nuit, who has shown ability on her Galway runs. Sharkeyboy from the Mullins yard and Julie's Moon are others who can feature if they improve on what they have shown so far.
KTB Selection Another Day Done
Early prices
The best price per runner across the bookmakers we track, each as first seen (UK time). 15 runners were not priced by any bookmaker before the off (a dash). Prices move — see the live racecard for current prices.
This is the narrative read of the 2:28 Galway. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Galway racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Galway results & records page. How favourites, trainers, jockeys and the draw have fared here over the last five years is on the Galway racecourse statistics page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is stepping up in trip for the first time while wearing first-time headgear?
Another Day Done steps up in trip for the first time while wearing first-time headgear.
How many runs has Espritroyale had this year?
Espritroyale brings ten runs of experience this year.
Which runner is a half-sister to Morricone?
Julie's Moon is a half-sister to Morricone.
What is Sharkeyboy's record on yielding ground?
Sharkeyboy has been placed 2 of 4 on yielding ground.
Who has the highest trainer strike rate at Galway among the principals?
W. P. Mullins has a 17% strike rate at Galway from 1,187 runs.
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