We’ve made it to Saturday and the second last day of the 2024 Galway Festival, and just like some of the runner at Galway, we’re starting to feel the effects of the Galway hill.
We have seen huge priced winning over the week from 50/1 up to 200/1 and it would be just like the Galway Festival to throw up a few more surprises.
But let’s get back in the saddle and finish strong for the last two days of the Galway Festival as we look at the best horse racing sites, options and prices right here.
✨ Galway Festival 1:55 – BoyleSports Best Odds Guaranteed Maiden Hurdle (2m1f)
Willie Mullins is set to unleash two nice recruits to the hurdling division with French Listed winner Hipop De Loire and 101 rated Jackfinbar.
But given how the Mullins runners have been performing this week I want to take them on with APPLE’S OF BRESIL.
Last seen when winning a bumper from an unpromising position, and with his one start over hurdles being a 3rd behind the now Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle winner Ballyburn he brings some valuable experience to the table.
He was also sent off 3/1 second favourite on bumper debut at the Punchestown where he was also behind Ballyburn so they seem to think a lot of Apple’s Of Bresil.
That bumper run was on the back of a good display in a Navan bumper back in November, which has since worked out well.
I have a suspicion that we have yet to see the best of Apple’s Of Bresil and it’s worth siding with him here.
- Selection: Apple’s In Bresil
- Danger: Hipop De Loire
🏇 Bet on Apple’s in Bresil with Betfred 🏇
✨ Galway Festival 2:30 – Listed BoyleSports Handicap Hurdle (2m 6½f)
A cracking Listed Hurdle here with many in with live chances.
Former Grade 1 winner Beacon Edge has had a mini revival this season and should run a big race from the front, while Happy Jack, Badenstown Lad, Born Braver, and Zeeband all on the hunt for a hat-trick.
The one that could have a lot more to offer is the 7-year-old ZEEBAND.
Zeeband comes in here on the back of a neck victory at Killarney, but he won with a lot more authority than the winning margin would suggest. This does mark a step up in grade for him, but he has it in him to be more than capable of running a big race here.
The unexposed Billericay Dickie and So Scottish are two to be reckoned with.
- Selection: Zeeband
- Danger: So Scottish
🏇 Bet on Zeeband with bet365 🏇
✨ Galway Festival 3:05 – BoyleSports Money Back If 2nd To SP Fav Irish EBF Maiden (1m ½f)
Not a race to get too excited about, but Aidan O’Brien may be about to add another winner to his Galway Festival haul with the once raced PUPPET MASTER.
Having ran a staying on 2nd behind Apples And Bananas on debut at Killarney (Starry Desert 4th), this son of Camelot will not need to find much more improvement to take this.
The Joseph O’Brien newcomer Delta is well related and can prove best of the rest.
- Selection: Puppet Master
- Danger: Apples And Bananas
- Current Betting: N/A
🏇 Bet on Puppet Master with talkSPORT BET 🏇
✨ Galway Festival 3:40 – Bathshack Maiden (1m ½f)
Two who are open to any amount of improvement are the once raced Thequitman and Newton Duke who both have had their form boosted by the winners of each race.
As I write his Dermot Weld has had 1 winner form his last 20 runners with only 2 placing.
For me that would not fill you with any confidence to back any Weld horse right now, so the Joseph O’Brien runner looks the safest option of the two.
THEQUITEMAN was slow into stride on debut and met a bit of trouble in running but did quite well to get as close as he did. The winner Ecureuile Secret has since go on to place in two Group 3s at the Curragh give that form a strong look.
With a better break he can get a nice position and be able to put his experience to use
The one they will all have to beat.
- Selection: Thequiteman
- Danger: Vadali
🏇 Bet on Thequiteman with VBET 🏇
✨ Galway Festival 4:15 – Whiriskey Refrigeration Irish EBF Nursery Handicap (7f)
Not the strongest looking nurseries where many can be ruled out.
It should pay to look at the top of the weights here with ELZEM coming out on top of the options.
He was a nice winner over 6½f at Listowel and followed that up with a head 2nd at Naas last month.
Having shown enough to suggest that he can deal with top weight on nursery debut and with the step up to 7f to be in his favour, he can record his second career success for Joseph O’Brien.
The main danger may come from Lady O, whose trainer has recorded two wins already this week.
- Selection: Elzem
- Danger: Lady O
🏇 Bet on Elzem with Sky Bet 🏇
✨ Galway Festival 4:50 – Ardilaun Hotel Handicap (7f)
So many in with a shout here including Tuesday’s winner Clear Quartz who will carry a 7lb penalty for that success, but he may have to settle for a supporting role here.
Having shown signs last time out that he may be about to strike over a course and distance that he has twice tasted success at, DRANGON OF MALTA looks a sold option here.
His last win came off 76 and now that he showed signs of a revival, today may be the day where it all falls into place once again.
Dangers lie with Mount Ruapehu who showed up well last time up, and Shawaamekh who has been 2nd on his only two visits to Galway.
- Selection: Dragon Of Malta 7/1
- Danger: Shawaamekh 10/1
- Current Betting: Imposing Supreme 6/1, Clear Quartz 13/2, Dragon Of Malta 7/1, Ramiro 7/1, Mount Ruapehu 8/1, Stormie Outlook 8/1, Expound 9/1, 9/1 bar.
🏇Bet on Dragon Of Malta with Betfred 🏇
✨ Galway Festival 5:25 – McDonogh Capital Investments Handicap (1m4f)
After a luckless run on Tuesday, Alpha Capture takes a massive step up in trip here, and if he sees out the trip then he becomes a massive danger to all. His pedigree suggests that this trip may stretch his stamina so based on that I have to overlook him today.
Dule course winner MISTER WILSON is now 1lb lower than his last winning mark and showed his wellbeing with two solid displays over fences.
He will be more at home back on the on the flat where he has three wins to his name, and with the uncertainty of what the ground will be Mister Wilson has shown that he can cope with various ground conditions which only adds to his appeal.
Magnetic North has hit a rich vein of form lately, and even on the back of a facile 7 length victory at Ballinrobe he is still well treated on old form.
- Selection: Mister Wilson
- Danger: Magnetic North
🏇 Bet on Mister Wilson with bet365 🏇
✨ Galway Festival 5:55 – Salthill Hotel Irish EBF Mares INH Flat Race (2m)
After what has been a heartbreaking week for the Hammer & Trowel Syndicate with the sudden loss of Facile Vega, their newest homebred CAMELETTA VEGA may be about to put a smile back on their face.
This impeccably bred mare (Camelot – Quevega) won’t need to be anything out of the ordinary to take this but given her breading you would be disappointed if she was not able to take this bumper in style.
Willie Mullins has taken 5 of the 9 running’s, one of them with the classy Shewearsitwell.
The twice raced Dancing Dame may prove the best of the rest.
- Selection: Cameletta Vega
- Danger: Dancing Dame
🏇 Bet on Cameletta Vega with talkSPORT BET 🏇
About the author
Andrew Halligan
My name is Andrew Halligan, horse racing pundit and founder of YouTube’s The Finishing Line Podcast. Horse racing is a thrilling spectacle that captivates audiences around the world with its blend of drama and excitement. Whether you’re a jumps or flat fan, I will use my experience of working within the horse racing industry to bring the best of what this sport has to offer.
You can follow Andrew on X (@Halligan88).
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- GambleAware – www.gambleaware.org
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
News Summary:
- Galway Festival betting preview – Day six
- Check all news and articles from the latest Football updates.