The final day of the Galway Festival on Sunday promises to have something for everyone, with the first half of the card over hurdles and fences, and the second section on the Flat.
Saturday's card had to survive a morning inspection following 28mm of rain, and the going was changed to soft on the jumps track and heavy on the Flat course, but a dry weekend is forecast.
Racing Post tipster Dave Randall has dipped into both codes, and outlines his best bets on the concluding afternoon in Ballybrit.
Read all our daily tipping previews for Galway Races.
Dave Randall's tips:
1.50 Galway - Hidalgo Des Mottes @ 10/1
2.55 Galway - Saint Sam @ 2/5
4.00 Galway - Current Option @ 9/2
4.00 Galway - On A Session @ 12/1
4.30 Galway - Stromberg @ 2/5
Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.
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1.50 Galway - Hidalgo Des Mottes @ 10/1
Five places are available each-way in the big-field extended 2m handicap hurdle that opens the card and Hidalgo Des Mottes makes some appeal on those terms.
The six-year-old represents the small Kilkenny yard of Eoin Griffin, 29 days after producing the best display of his career when a close second of 11 in a 2m4f handicap hurdle at Bellewstown.
He was wearing a first-time tongue-tie there, and cheekpieces are added ahead of this drop back in trip from a 2lb higher mark.
The selection is related to three winners over this sort of distance on testing ground in France and should get particularly competitive again if maintaining his recent progression on the easier surface.
Dave Randall's tip:
Hidalgo Des Mottes @ 10/1 - 1pt each-way
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2.55 Galway - Saint Sam @ 2/5
Saint Sam is going to be sent sent off favourite in the extended 2m6f conditions chase, and Willie Mullins is 509-939 (54% +£63.07) when his runners are sent off at the head of the market in non-handicap chases.
Paul Townend had already combined successfully with Mullins on three occasions at this year's festival ahead of racing on Saturday, and Mullins has a 22% overall strike-rate at this venue which improves to 26% (18-70) in non-handicap chases.
The selection is proven over just shy of this trip on testing ground and, after a small break, has been found a good opportunity to complete a hat-trick.
The relatively unexposed Stumptown may provide the biggest threat.
Dave Randall's tip:
4.00 Galway - Current Option @ 9/2
4.00 Galway - On A Session @ 12/1
The feature 110,000euros "Ahonoora" 7f Premier Handicap has been won by the Adrian McGuinness-trained seven-year-old Current Option for the past three years off marks of 99, 105 and 96 on testing and decent ground.
Once again he prepped for this Sunday contest with a run over an extended mile at this festival earlier in the week.
He finished an encouraging about two-length eighth of 18 with Cian MacRedmond in the saddle, as he was when combining to victory in this race in 2021 and 2022.
The gelding has obvious claims out of a fair draw in stall nine from a mark of 95 on this occasion.
David and Nicola Barron are sending their seven-year-old gelding On A Session over to Galway for a fifth crack at this prize from their Maunby hub in North Yorkshire.
He has form figure of 2322 in the past four runnings off 92, 93, 90 and 93.
The second each-way suggestion is drawn well in stall three and gets to race off 89 this time around.
Dave Randall's tips:
Current Option @ 9/2 - 1pt each-way
On A Session @ 12/1 - 1pt each-way
4.30 Galway - Stromberg @ 2/5
Stromberg produced a really encouraging debut effort when a five-length second of 18 at Leopardstown on yielding to soft ground last month and is well placed to get off the mark at the second time of asking ahead of some potential Group 2 assignments in the near future.
The Iffraaj colt should appreciate this stiffer finish on a similar surface and the sire's progeny are an encouraging 3-7 in non-handicap juvenile races on this track.
Dylan Browne McMonagle is 95-509 (19% +£9.20) when riding for Joseph O'Brien, whose 11% overall strike-rate at Galway improves to 16% (6-37) with his runners in non-handicap juvenile races on this track.
Dave Randall's tip:
Dave Randall's tips:
1.50 Galway - Hidalgo Des Mottes @ 10/1
2.55 Galway - Saint Sam @ 2/5
4.00 Galway - Current Option @ 9/2
4.00 Galway - On A Session @ 12/1
4.30 Galway - Stromberg @ 2/5
Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.
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Day Six Galway Tips
Phill Anderson's tips:
4.50 Galway - Half Nutz @ 12/1
5.25 Galway - Dark Note @ 9/1
5.55 Galway - Pinky @ 6/1
Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.
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4.50 Galway - Half Nutz @ 12/1
Bet365 are offering five places on the seven furlong Flat handicap (4.50) and there are several in with claims including Lady Arwen who won last time out.
She should go well again but at more of an each-way price, HALF NUTZ should be capable of outrunning his odds.
He's been a reliable yardstick down the years for his former trainer Johnny Murtagh and while it's taken him a little while to find his feet at his new yard, there were definite signs of a return to form at this venue earlier in the week.
The six-year-old is habitually slowly away, which isn't ideal, but he did best of those that were held up over the same course and distance on Monday and there's probably a bit more pace in this contest, which may make life easier for him.
The recent rain that has arrived is certainly in his favour, with his career best efforts on soft or heavy ground and he's become very well treated on the best of last year's form. He should be in the mix provided that he doesn't blow his chance completely at the start.
Phill Anderson's tip:
Half Nutz @ 12/1 - 1pt each-way
5.25 Galway - Dark Note @ 9/1
Another competitive handicap follows and a couple of the last-time-out winners could be the ones to side with.
Granville Street was impressive when winning on handicap debut earlier in the week and he should go well if he doesn't find the run coming too soon, despite having to carry a 7lb penalty for that success.
However, a slight preference is for DARK NOTE, who ran okay over hurdles at Galway earlier in the week. He's a better horse on the level and he showed a good attitude when getting the better of re-opposing Expound in a six-runner handicap at Tramore last month.
The front two pulled clear of their rivals that day, producing a career best in the process and there's nothing wrong with a 5lb rise for that win.
A return to soft ground won't be an issue and the yard are already on the board at Galway this week, so there's plenty in his favour.
Phill Anderson's tip:
Dark Note @ 9/1 - 0.5pt each-way
5.55 Galway - Pinky @ 6/1
A mares' bumper closes the card on the penultimate day of the festival. The Twelve Pins is going to be popular for Willie Mullins given the week he's had already and the yard won this contest last year.
However, it may be worth taking that mare on with PINKY. There was plenty to like about her debut in a mares' bumper at Down Royal when she tried to make all the running. She rallied well under pressure before shaping like she needed the run in the closing stages.
The winner from that race (Roedora) went close to following that success up at Killarney subsequently and with progress likely, she could offer a bit of value against the likely favourite if she handles the different ground this time.
Phill Anderson's tip:
Phill Anderson's tips:
4.50 Galway - Half Nutz @ 12/1
5.25 Galway - Dark Note @ 9/1
5.55 Galway - Pinky @ 6/1
Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.
Day Four Galway Tips
Phill Anderson's tips:
6.35 Galway - Brazil @ 14/1
7.10 Galway - Delicate Girl @ 10/1
7.40 Galway - Harriet Eagle @ 25/1
Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.
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6.35 Galway - Brazil @ 14/1
BRAZIL could be a big player in Thursday’s Galway Hurdle but I think he’s potentially more interesting back on the Flat on Friday.
The five-year-old sneaks in off bottom weight for Friday’s Guinness Handicap and while he’s 2lb wrong in the handicap, he looks capable of running a big race off a mark of 82.
It’s worth forgiving his most recent Flat start at Killarney when a mile was clearly too short and he’s better judged on his previous Flat run when staying on well over 1m2f at Leopardstown.
He shaped like he would relish 1m4f that day (as most sons of Galileo do) and given that he is rated 141 over timber, there should be plenty of scope in this sort of mark on the level.
With plenty of rain in the weather forecast on Friday, conditions could just come right for him and this looks like a good opportunity for the gelding off a low weight in Premier Handicap company.
I expect connections will turn him out again quickly with that factor in mind and he may represent some each-way value with Bet365 offering five places in the race.
Phill Anderson's tip:
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7.10 Galway - Delicate Girl @ 10/1
The fillies’ maiden (7.10) has a few nice sorts in it with a couple of Willie Mullins bumper winners in there and also Jack Davison’s Yamalia Star who met some trouble when narrowly denied last time out.
However, the one that looks most interesting is DELICATE GIRL who has shown plenty in just two starts so far.
Joseph O’Brien’s filly finished sixth in what has turned out to be a warm fillies’ maiden at Leopardstown on debut over an insufficient trip and she took a major step forward from that run when a close up fourth at the Curragh since.
The form of the Curragh race has worked out well too with the winner going on to land a Group 3 on her next start.
With more to come at this trip this season, she could progress past her rivals and there should be more to come from this daughter of Australia.
Phill Anderson’s tip:
Delicate Girl @ 10/1 - 1pt win
7.40 Galway - Harriet Eagle @ 25/1
Bet365 are offering five places on the Arthur Guinness Handicap (7.40) and there’s a handicap debutante that may be able to outrun double figure odds.
HARRIET EAGLE has been improving with each run in maiden company and it was a big step forward when she was only beaten four lengths in a fillies’ maiden at the Curragh last month.
She gave the impression that she would relish a step up to a stiff mile that day and her pedigree suggests as much with her sire, Free Eagle, a middle distance specialist and her dam a winner over this sort of trip.
An opening mark of 69 is no gimme but she’s less exposed than most of her rivals and she looks capable of giving a good account.
Phill Anderson’s tip:
Harriet Eagle @ 25/1 - 0.5pt each-way
Phill Anderson’s tips:
6.35 Galway - Brazil @ 14/1
7.10 Galway - Delicate Girl @ 10/1
7.40 Galway - Harriet Eagle @ 25/1
Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.
Galway Day Four betting tips
Phill Anderson's Tips
5.05 Galway - Cash Back @ 40/1
2.45 Galway - Hercule Du Seuil @ 5/4
3.20 Galway - Shigar @ 20/1
Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.
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5.05 Galway - Cash Back @ 40/1
The Galway Hurdle is always one of the highlights of the week and this year’s renewal looks as competitive as ever.
It’s a race that JP McManus has enjoyed plenty of success in down the years and he has a particularly strong hand this time around with the likes of Filey Bay and Brazil, both with solid claims, albeit at single figure prices.
Last year’s winner, Tudor City, is back on last year’s winning handicap mark and goes for his third win in the race but he would surely need the rain to stay away if he is to become the first horse to win the race three times (Pinch Hitter - 1982/83 the only other dual winner of the race).
With five places up for grabs, it might be worth taking a chance on CASH BACK, who has been admirably consistent throughout most of this calendar year to date.
The veteran produced his best effort for some time to finish runner-up at Ballinrobe on his penultimate outing when not beaten far by Fils D’oudairies and he hit the frame again behind that rival at Tipperary last month in what was probably a sighter for this.
He’s much better off at the weights with Fils D’oudairies this time and has been eased 2lb in the handicap.
Furthermore, Kieran Callaghan is good value for the 5lb he can claim as a conditional.
Without too many other pace rivals in the contest this year, he may be able to hang on for a place if he gets to set his own fractions and his early price looks too big.
Phill Anderson's tip:
Cash Back @ 40/1 - 1pt each-way
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2.45 Galway - Hercule Du Seuil @ 5/4
At much shorter odds, HERCULE DU SEUIL has an obvious chance of gaining his first Graded success over the larger obstacles.
He was a Grade 2 winner over timber and he’s getting better with every chase start.
The six-year-old jumped really well when making all against re-opposing Solness at Killarney last time, winning in good style, and it was a similar story when getting the better of Ballyadam at Ballinrobe earlier in the year.
There’s more to come from the selection over fences and I expect him to be hard to peg back, having shown he’s already a level above most of his main rivals.
Phill Anderson's tip:
Hercule Du Seuil @ 5/4 - 1pt win
3.20 Galway - Shigar @ 20/1
The one mile handicap on the Flat looks competitive but SHIGAR is interesting on his Irish debut.
He bolted up at Kempton on his penultimate start in June and probably found the run coming too soon when well held just one day later carrying a penalty.
As a son of Farhh, he should continue to progress as a four-year-old and he may have been underestimated in the market.
Phill Anderson's tip:
Shigar @ 20/1 - 0.5pt each-way
Phill Anderson's Tips
5.05 Galway - Cash Back @ 40/1
2.45 Galway - Hercule Du Seuil @ 5/4
3.20 Galway - Shigar @ 20/1
Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.
Galway day three betting tips: Classy Kilcruit looks perfect for the Plate
The Galway Plate takes centre stage on the third day at Ballybrit and Racing Post tipster Graeme Rodway returns with his best bets on the card.
Graeme Rodway’s tips
5.10 Galway - Semblance Of Order @ 8/1
6.40 Galway - Kilcruit @ 6/1
7.15 Galway - Broomfield Hall @ 16/1
Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.
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5.10 Galway - Semblance Of Order @ 8/1
There has been plenty of rain at Galway and the testing ground looks certain to suit SEMBLANCE OF ORDER, who is fancied to spring a surprise in the 1m1/2f handicap (5.10).
He won his maiden on yielding to soft at Sligo in April and had previously finished a good second in a similar race on soft to heavy ground at Cork, so should find the conditions ideal.
Semblance Of Order progressed well after his maiden win and followed his second in a red-hot handicap at the Curragh in May with a hard-fought victory at Leopardstown in June.
He is only 3lb higher than for that last success and might go off at a bigger price than he should because plenty of people will have been put off by him refusing to race last time.
That is obviously a concern, but connections will have had him through the stalls at home and he remains open to plenty of further progress, provided he can put that latest blip behind him.
Graeme Rodway’s tip:
Semblance Of Order @ 8/1 - 1pt win
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6.40 Galway - Kilcruit @ 6/1
The Galway Plate (6.40) is the feature jumps race of the summer and look no further than Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. They team up with KILCRUIT and he may have a class edge.
Kilcruit was a Grade 1 bumper winner at Punchestown a couple of years ago and he finished third behind Constitution Hill in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last year. There is no doubt over his ability and he showed it over fences at the Punchestown Festival in April.
The selection was dropped in class after competing in Grade 1 novice events previously and took full advantage of a mark of 148 when scoring by 15 lengths in a novice handicap chase. He was given a 15lb career-best Racing Post Rating on that occasion, so looked progressive.
He was outclassed back in Grade 1 company at Auteuil last time, but that was over hurdles and the return to a handicap should do the trick, even from 12lb higher than for his last win.
Graeme Rodway’s tip:
7.15 Galway - Broomfield Hall @ 16/1
The 2m1/2f mares’ handicap hurdle (7.15) is a wide-open race, but the topweight BROOMFIELD HALL has plenty of form on soft ground and is taken to bounce back from a fall on her last run.
That mishap came over fences at the Punchestown Festival and she now returns to hurdling off a mark 7lb lower than her chase rating, having shown improved form at that discipline.
There is every chance she’s capable of transferring that improvement over fences back to hurdles on her first start at this discipline since she won at the Punchestown Festival last year.
Her last two hurdles starts have ended in victory and her form figures either first time out or after a break of at least 50 days read 2214. She evidently goes well fresh and might be capable of outclassing this field following a 97-day break since her last run at Punchestown.
Graeme Rodway’s tip:
Broomfield Hall @ 16/1 - 1pt win
Graeme Rodway’s tips
5.10 Galway - Semblance Of Order @ 8/1
6.40 Galway - Kilcruit @ 6/1
7.15 Galway - Broomfield Hall @ 16/1
Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.
Galway day two betting tips: Nothing Absurde about Willie Mullins' runner
The Galway Festival continues on Tuesday evening with a mixed card and the Racing Post’s Phill Anderson gives us his best bets on what looks like a competitive evening of action.
Phill Anderson's tips
5.10 Galway - Absurde @ 4/6
6.40 Galway - Saltonstall @ 18/1
7.50 Galway - Comfort Line @ 25/1
Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.
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5.10 Galway - Absurde @ 4/6
The opening race on the card, the Listed novice hurdle, looks like a good opportunity for Absurde and he should be capable of maintaining his 100% record over timber.
The son of Fastnet Rock won in a novice hurdle at Killarney in good style before chasing home stablemate Vauban when runner-up at Royal Ascot back on the level last month.
There’s almost certainly more to come from him on just his second start over hurdles for the Irish Champion Trainer, Willie Mullins, who bids for his third win in this race in the last six years.
Phill Anderson's tip:
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6.40 Galway - Saltonstall @ 18/1
It looks like a typically competitive renewal of Tuesday’s feature race, the COLM QUINN BMW Mile Handicap and with bet365 offering five places, it’s worth finding some each-way value.
Ado McGuinness has won three of the last four renewals of this race, twice with Saltonstall and he might be the one to side with in his bid for a third Galway Festival success, despite having to carry top weight.
The nine-year-old showed he was as good as ever when he was only narrowly denied in a Premier Handicap at the Curragh earlier in the season from a mark of 99 and, despite some creditable runs in defeat since, he’s down to a mark of 98 after some leniency from the handicapper.
With plenty of rain arriving on Monday and more in the forecast for Tuesday, he will be better suited than most to heavy ground (dual winner on heavy) and back at a venue he clearly loves, there’s every chance he will be hard to keep out of the frame.
The unexposed Salt Lake City could be the one that goes off favourite.
He was better than the bare result in a Group 2 at Leopardstown when last seen and is 3lb well in for this contest.
Given that the son of Galileo will relish going back up in trip on just his eighth career start, he should be in the mix dropping down in class from Group level.
Phill Anderson's tip:
Saltonstall @ 18/1 - 1pt each-way
7.50 Galway - Comfort Line @ 25/1
Later on the card, there’s another handicap with another interesting horse trained by Adrian McGuinnes.
Comfort Line was a bit disappointing earlier in the season after joining this yard in the winter but he was given a mid-season break and looked much more like his old self when runner-up at Ballinrobe last week.
He remains 5lb below his last winning mark and Ben Coen takes over from a conditional jockey.
A drop to a stiff 7f on testing ground could be the key to him and he looks like a big each-way player in another race that Bet365 are offering an enhanced five places.
Phill Anderson's tip:
Comfort Line @ 25/1 - 1pt each-way
Phill Anderson's tips
5.10 Galway - Absurde @ 4/6
6.40 Galway - Saltonstall @ 18/1
7.50 Galway - Comfort Line @ 25/1
Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.
Galway day one betting tips: Pearl looks a gem on opening night at Galway
The first of seven days at Galway takes place on Monday evening and Racing Post tipster Graeme Rodway returns with his best bets at Ballybrit.
Graeme Rodway's tips
5.40 Galway - Snapius @ 25/1
6.40 Galway - Zinc White @ 16/1
7.50 Galway - Pearl Of Australia @ 12/1
Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.
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5.40 Galway - Snapius @ 25/1
The Easyfix Handicap Hurdle (5.40) is the feature over jumps on opening night and Rachael Blackmore is an eyecatching booking for Curragh-based trainer James Nash on SNAPIUS.
Blackmore was on board for the four-year-old’s sole hurdle win in a maiden at Cork in March and she hasn’t been booked on any of his four subsequent starts, all of which ended in defeat.
Snapius had three-time subsequent winner Calico behind in second when successful in that Cork contest, so it wasn’t a bad race, and he has dropped 3lb in the weights for his two subsequent defeats over hurdles.
There is every chance this will have been the plan this year.
His other two defeats since that last win came on the Flat and he didn’t run badly when third at Ayr in May.
That proves he hasn’t totally lost his form and Nash now fits Snapius with first-time blinkers. The headgear might do the trick now he returns from 56 days off the track.
Graeme Rodway's tip
6.40 Galway - Zinc White @ 16/1
The Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap (6.40) might go for export because I’ve been waiting for ZINC WHITE to line up in a valuable contest for a while and this looks his for the taking.
The Ian Williams-trained stayer returned from 561 days off to land the consolation race for the Chester Cup in May and that contest was probably stronger than the main event itself.
The runner-up was the rapidly progressive Novel Legend, third-placed It’s Good To Laugh was a good second at the track on one of his subsequent starts and the fifth and eighth are both subsequent winners.
Zinc White is only 8lb higher here and is ridden by a 7lb claimer.
He is evidently handicapped to win and can be forgiven a poor run at Royal Ascot last time when the ground would probably have been quicker than he prefers. He is better than that.
These conditions should suit him better and Zinc White has every chance to bounce back.
Graeme Rodway's tip
7.50 Galway - Pearl Of Australia @ 12/1
The Eventus Handicap (7.50) looks like a good opportunity for PEARL OF AUSTRALIA, who is better than he showed when tailed off at Down Royal last time and can resume his progress.
Put a line through that effort in the Ulster Derby when he hung right-handed and something was clearly amiss.
He is better judged on his previous form as he went into that race having recorded a career-best run when making all for an all-the-way win in a Roscommon maiden.
He had subsequent winner Ethical Diamond in behind in third that day, so the form isn’t bad, and Pearl Of Australia is bred to be even more effective over this two-furlong longer trip.
He has a good draw in stall three should rider Ben Coen want to repeat the front-running tactics that were so successful at Roscommon and there should be plenty more to come.
Graeme Rodway's tip
Pearl Of Australia @ 12/1 - 1pt win
Graeme Rodway's tips
5.40 Galway - Snapius @ 25/1
6.40 Galway - Zinc White @ 16/1
7.50 Galway - Pearl Of Australia @ 12/1
Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.
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