One of the biggest days in the Irish sporting year, and probably the biggest race in the Irish Racing season – it’s Galway Hurdle Day (Thursday, 2nd August) in Ballybrit and anytime up to 40,000 people are expected to descend on the races.
Hopefully, the weather holds fine as not just is there €300,000 at stake in the day’s big race, but it’s also ‘Ladies Day’ in Ballybrit with €12,000 in prize money in their respective competitions.
Before we talk about the racing, lets focus on the Ladies competitioins that will be equally contested.
There is an envy-inducing €10,000 prize for the winner of the g Hotel & Spa Best Dressed Lady competition and €2,000 prize for the Best Hat competition.
Throughout the day, there will also be live music on-course. Experience first-hand the ‘magic’ that is the Galway Races. Get social on Ladies Day and use the official hashtags of #gHotelBestDressed and #GalwayRaces.
On the track, it wasn’t a great day for our Galway Daily Tipsters as we only picked up one winner. However, Diamond Hill beating National Wealth in a one-two that would have yielded some dividends if you were brave.
Overall, the bookies reigned supreme with six winners in the 10+/1 bracket so we’ll be looking for more fortune today.
The Guinness Galway Hurdle Handicap at 4.35pm will gather our attention most and we think two horses are favoured for the big prize – David’s Charm or Le Richebourg.
After three evening meetings, we’re back to afternoon action and Minella Beau (a 2017 maiden winner) looks the strongest candidate for the opening race at 1.40pm.
Rashaan and Cadmium will be contenders at 2.15pm. And we think Prosecution and Tony The Gent are ones to watch at 2.50pm.
I Can Fly and Dermot Weld’s Yulong Gold Fairy catch the eye at 3.25pm. In Novice Hurdle at 4pm, Willie Mullins’ Exchange Rate will look to bounce back from a poor showing on Tuesday but faces still competition from Minella Times.
After the main race, Mullins’ Townshend and Sonnetist look the best options at 5.15pm. And Charlie Byrne should send us off in good health in the final race with all tips heading towards Doctor Duffy.
Galway Daily will again provide coverage today of all the action in Galway. See below for our official predictions and dark horses.
Galway hurdle day let's go @Galway_Races 🏆🐎#GalwayRaces #Racingblogger pic.twitter.com/Xz6MPAXbG1
— Stephen R Power (@racingblogger) August 2, 2018
1.40 Guinness Beginners Steeplechase
(Galway Daily Prediction: MINELLA BEAU 5/2, Dark Horse: Caltex 5/1)
2.15 Open Gate Brewery Novice Steeplechase
(Galway Daily Prediction, CADMIUM 1/1, Dark Horse: Robin Des Foret 9/2)
2.50 Rockshore Handicap
(Galway Daily Prediction: TONY THE GENT 5/1, Dark Horse: Giorni Felice 20/1)
3.25 Arthur Guinness Irish EBF Corrib Fillies Stakes
(Galway Daily Prediction: I CAN FLY 11/2, Dark Horse: Time To Exceed 28/1)
4.00 Guinness Novice Hurdle
(Galway Daily Prediction: MINELLA TIMES 13/2, Dark Horse: Sapphire Lady 7/1)
4.35 Guinness Galway Hurdle Handicap
Galway Daily Prediction: LE RICHEBOURG 9/1, Dark Horse: David’s Charm 6/1)
5.15 Open Gate Pure Brew Handicap
(Galway Daily Prediction: TOWNSHEND 10/3, Dark Horse: Guido Reni 20/1)
5.50 Good Time for A Guinness Flat Race
(Galway Daily Prediction: DOCTOR DUFFY 3/1, Dark Horse: Russian Soldier 16/1)
🌱Track update from the Clerk of the Course Lorcan Wyer on Day 4 @GuinnessIreland Galway Hurdle @Galway_Races pic.twitter.com/DbqJeRBIks
— Galway Races (@Galway_Races) August 2, 2018
