Preview galway 2nd Aug

The 2009 Galway Festival draws to a close with a seven-race card that kicks off with the Galway Bay FM Beginners Chase at 2.25.

As is so often the case at Ballybrit, Dermot Weld has a fine team on show and Bobs Pride is sure to have his supporters in the opener following his excellent third on the level here earlier in the week.

He did fall on his only try over fences, though, so Narquois comes into the equation, as do smart hurdlers Norther Bay and Beneath The Radar.

Last year's winner Darenjan tops the weights for the Electronic Retail Security Handicap Hurdle and will take some beating, despite the steadier of 11st 10lb.

Wicklow Lad arrives in search of a hat-trick, with his stablemate Games and the Christy Roche-trained What's New also holding genuine claims.

Steve Capall has already visited the winner's enclosure here this week and attempts to defy a 4lb penalty in the Easyfix Handicap Hurdle.< My Valley warmed up with a second on the Flat on Tuesday and goes well at this course, while Sharadi also made the frame here on Friday and merits respect.

On the level, Weld's classy filly Firey Red appears fairly treated for the Connacht Tribune Centenary Handicap but has Thursday's scorer Fit The Cove to contend with.

Seachantach, in addition to course and distance winners Hard Rock City and Maundy Money, are just three others with a chance in a hot contest.

Rock Critic is another Weld inmate with excellent credentials and tops the list for the Caulfield Industrial Handicap. The consistent Spavento probably presents him with his sternest test.

Noble Galileo and Silent Decision boast similar form coming into the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden and should fight out the finish, while the Weld pair of Tir Na Gcapall and Dancers Dilemma have Willie Mullins' Not For Converting to beat in the concluding Fr. Breen Memorial INH Flat Race.