Today kicks off with the Galway festival in Ireland, running from 25th July to 31st July, Ireland’s most prestigious meeting with the highlight of the festival being the Galway Plate on Wednesday. This really is a family festival though with most races not starting until the evening. The fact that Glorious Goodwood is on at the same time doesn’t deter the top trainers and jockeys from attending. Willie Mullins will be there in force, but why would he miss it, the Irish are known for their capacity to have fun and that's what the Galway festival is, a full week of family fun.
The top five horses at the festival today are:
- 15 Muthaza: this Willie Mullins-trained horse, ridden by Ruby Walsh can win this for Mullins’ third consecutive year. Out of the last five races run, she has won three, so is ideally placed to win tonight for Mullins. Odds for Muthaza are 2/9 with Coral
- 15 Right Honourable: DK Weld has won the Trainers Cup at Galway for what seems forever, but maybe just the last 30 years. In her last race Right Honourable came third, so Weld will be hoping she can improve on that tonight. She is the favourite in this her second race so odds are 10/11 with William Hill.
- 50 Heartful: Another DK Weld horse and another novice, with only one race under her belt, but so much faith is put into this trainer in Ireland, that she is again the favourite with odds of 4/1 with Paddy Power.
- 20 Renneti: Not the favourite, but third with the bookies, Willie Mullins-trained and not too green, but out of ten races only 2 first places. Mullins will be hoping he can improve vastly tonight, he starts with odds of 10/1 with Ladbrokes and has been in good recent form.
- 50 Balyka: Another DK Weld horse and another new starter, with only three races under her belt but did come first on her last outing, odds tonight of 5/2 with Skybet.
These are just some of the fabulous horses running on the first day of the Galway festival, Goodwood kicks off tomorrow, so check back for some tips on the other hot race festival.
Good Luck today.