This week is the first week that I'm really going to miss being a jockey. There'll be a huge atmosphere in Galway with the crowds back at Ballybrit.
But retirement is great. I've been busy at the sales purchasing a couple of horses and I'm looking forward to the week.
The opening race of the meeting looks like a good opportunity for Hms Seahorse to follow up his very impressive win on the flat at the Curragh the last time.
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Paul Nolan has a fantastic record in Galway, he's won the Galway Hurdle three times so I think he should get off to a good start for the week.
The biggest danger is probably As Tears Go By for Gordon Elliott. He won last time out but needs to improve a lot to get to the level of Hms Seahorse, who is rated 132.
The handicap hurdle follows the opener and is extremely competitive.
Sil Ver Klass is very interesting off 106. Tony Martin targets the Galway Festival and this lad has a much higher rating over fences.
If he can produce some of his chase form to hurdles form, he should be very hard to beat.
But I would be keeping a very close eye on Galway specialist One Cool Poet, who is first reserve. If he gets a run, he could be very interesting.
The big race on day one is the Connacht Hotel Handicap and Willie Mullins has a great record in this.
Echoes In Rain is very interesting off a mark of 87. She's a Grade 1 winning hurdler and she's obviously the choice of Patrick as well who would have the choice of all of Willie's runners.
But I also like Taipan for Jessica Harrington with Mikey O'Sullivan taking seven pounds off. He's carrying 12 stone 2 lbs and had a good run the last day in Bellewstown when second on his first run for a while.
This has been the target for him all season, he's drawn very well in stall two so I think he has a big chance at a big each-way price.
Echoes In Rain has to overcome a very bad draw. She's drawn 21 and that's not ideal around Galway.
Elsewhere on the card, I think Irish Lullaby in the Eventus Handicap at 7.50pm has a big chance for Jessica Harrington. She's won two of her last three and has a good draw in stall two.
John Ryan's horses are in great form and Western Commander has an each-way chance in the bumper if improving on his debut run when second.
And earlier on the card, Tiverton can give Dermot Weld a winner in a race that he has farmed over the years.
He's going to start a short-priced favourite after a very eye-catching run in the Curragh on debut when second and he can get the master of Ballybrit off to a good start in the seven-furlong maiden at 6.10pm.
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