Pat Smullen - Galway Races Masterclass

Pat Smullen - Galway Races

At Galway Races 2007, jockey Pat Smullen told RTE's Robert Hall: "Galway is a pressure week. You like to get winners and obviously the boss (Dermot Weld) likes to have winners here. So you find the pressure to get results in every race you ride. It's a great meeting and a great festival and while you're having winners it's even better."

Referring to the peculiarities of the course itself, he added: "It's a difficult track to ride. You have to have tactics and you have to have a horse that's got pace. Even in a long distance race if you don't have a horse that's got pace you'll get murdered through the race and you're out of a winning chance. Pace is the main thing. You need a horse that can get up there and get out of trouble. And then, obviously, it's important not go too soon for that hill is unforgiving."

He also stressed the importance of a good draw: "Drawn wide is a disadvantage in a big field. Even over a mile and a half being drawn wide is a very big disadvantage. So the higher the number the better the chance."

Having discussed the theory, Pat went straight out and put it into practice. With perfect timing, he brought In A Rush 6/1 through to pass leader Miss Gorica 9/2 favourite and repel the strong late challenge of Kieren Fallon on Perfect Memory 8/1.

Another Galway winner for the Dermot Weld/P J Smullen team.