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The seven days of Galway are engraved into the heart of Irish culture. Serving up ultra competitive action, both flat and jumps, it’s a week that has something for everyone. 

It’s easy to criticise some of the sports flagship meetings for lack of competition in major races, the same can’t be said for Ballybrits showpiece, even over a marathon seven days, excitement is guaranteed from first race to last. From the biggest stables to the small operations, every yard in the country dreams of Galway glory.

Throughout the week we will see some enthralling action, here’s a quick run through the feature races of the meeting.

Monday – Connaught Hotel Handicap (Q.R)

A race that has long eluded Ireland's champion amateur, but Patrick Mullins could be on a winner this year. The classy Echoes in Rain leads the market for the prestigious Q.R Handicap.

Lot Of Joy is another intriguing entry for the WP Mullins team. On her first run for the yard since arriving from Sweden, she’s really being thrown into the deep end here. A half-sister to the classy Sonnyboyliston, the four year old Camelot filly holds an Ebor entry, so you would imagine they think plenty of her in Closutton. 

At a bigger price, Emmett Mullins could spoil the party with his Japanese import Crown Major. After landing the Saturday feature race last year, he could be primed to light up Ballybrit again.

Tuesday – Colm Quinn Mile

A winner at Galway is never easy to come by, but Ado McGuinness seems to have cracked the code. Having trained the winner of the last three renewals of the Tuesday showpiece, he’s a man to have on your side. His charge, Sir Jack Thomas, took the spoils last year off a mark of 90, back down to 89 now and the Galway air could breathe a bit of life back into him.

The Jessica Harrington-trained Cowboy Justice is emerging as an early market leader. After not getting much of a race when disappointing at Chester, he bounced back to win impressively at Killarney recently. With the yard in such form, he could take all the beating.

Wednesday – Tote Galway Plate

Joseph O’Brien is enjoying plenty of success of late, if he can continue that form into Galway he could have a lucrative week in Ballybrit. He saddles market leaders Busselton and Fire Attack for the Wednesday feature. Busselton is a likeable horse, he’s been running well on the flat recently and could be coming into this on a workable mark. 

Hewick would be a popular winner for the Shark Hanlon team. He was last seen over fences when emphatically winning the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.  The step down in trip may see him a bit outpaced but he isn't without a chance.

Cape Gentlemen comes into the race having not been seen since falling in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse. He has looked classy on the few occasions we have seen him over fences, most notably when easily dismantling Run Wild Fred at Cork in October. After running a stormer to finish third in last year's Galway Hurdle you would imagine this has been the plan for a while. 

Thursday – Galway Hurdle

Willie Mullins has dominated the Hurdle for a few years now and often has a good one to pull out of his deck. Having won the last two renewals with top weights, I fancy him to do the same again this year with the Grade One winning Echoes In Rain. She has been dining at the top table all year and ran a very respectable race when not too far behind Honeysuckle in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle. It could take a good one to beat her.

Farout is another who can get into the mix. Course form can count for plenty at Galway, and the Dark Angel gelding seemed to love the test when he won his novice hurdle at last year’s festival, beating stablemate Tax For Max. He was eye-catching in a Punchestown Festival handicap when last seen over hurdles, if he can learn from that effort he could be involved.

Friday - Guinness Handicap

Some good horses have emerged from this race, perhaps most notably the popular Group performer Princess Zoe. We may not see one that good here but Joseph O’Brien’s Herring Island will be one to watch if he lines up. The Australia colt has impressed on his last two engagements and this step up in trip should suit.

Willie often has a strong hand to play having won this feature on six occasions. He has interesting newcomer Lot Of Joy entered here again.

Saturday - Boylesports Handicap Hurdle (Grade B)

A very strong entry at the early stages for the Saturday feature. One to watch may be Fils d’Oudairies on his first start since making the move from Seven Barrows to Cullentra. Narrowly denied when favourite at Punchestown, he will be looking to make amends here.

Dermot Weld was often the King of Galway and he has last year's Connaught Hotel Handicap winner Coltor in this. A horse who has shown a liking for the unique test presented in Ballybrit, he will surely be in the mix.

Sunday - Ahonoora Handicap

As the week draws to a close, the Ahoonoora Handicap could be the crowning glory or a race to forget for Galway punters. Another race that trainer Ado McGuinness seems to have worked out. The Dublin based trainer has won the last two renewals with the six year old Current Option. Having dropped 8lb’s below last year's winning mark, you would think he will be primed now for the hattrick attempt.


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