Today sees the start of the week long Galway Festival with Dermot Weld the master of Rosewell House bidding for his 30th Chanelle Veterinary Leading Trainer award. He won the award last year having saddled 5 winners, 9 seconds and 5 thirds at the Ballybrit track and I’m sure he will be looking to improve on that figure this year given that chief rival Willie Mullins saddled 8 winners, 5 seconds and 1 third and finished only 1 point behind. Points are scored as follows, 1st = 5pts, 2nd =3pts, 3rd =1pt.
The 7 days see a total of 52 races take place with the big race of the week the Galway Plate on the Wednesday followed by the Galway Hurdle the following day.
Numerous British challengers will cross the water to compete at what really is an up and coming festival gaining in popularity all the time.
Dermot Weld’s runners deserve MAXIMUM RESPECT at this track and particularly at the Festival. How coincidental that he targets this festival with his runners when he celebrates his birthday on the 29th July!
5:15 Galway
Willie Mullins has won this for the last 2 years and this years representative Muthaza looks a penalty kick given a clear round with Ruby Walsh in the plate. He is 2 from 2 over hurdles and now rated 130 will take all the beating.
5:45 Galway
Beckwith Star has won the race for the last 2 years, the latest from todays mark of 109 and is 2lb lower this time around with the more than capable Dylan Robinson taking off 7lb as opposed to jockeys 5lb claim last year.
Camlann is being well found at the head of the market and is open to plenty of improvement on only 2nd start in handicap company in the nh sphere and was impressive last time out when scoring on the level on seasonal reappearance.
The Black Russian is now 8lb below his last winning mark with claim considered and was never put in the race last time out on return from an absence.
Sarwistan represents Tony Martin and Ruby Walsh and this looks to have been the plan for some time having not been sighted over hurdles since scoring in Down Patrick on good ground in October last year. He has been chasing since and had a recent spin on the flat in preparation for this and Ruby Walsh is back in the plate for the first time since Sarwistan last won.
6:15 Galway
Dermot Weld has won this 7 times in the last 10 runnings including last year with True Solitaire. Right Honourable was a big eyecatcher when making an encouraging debut in Leopardstown finishing 3rd, with normal improvement he will prove difficult to beat and enhance the trainers fine record in this contest.
6:50 Galway
Dermot Weld saddles handicap debutant Heartful and an opening mark of 79 could prove workable is 1st time blinkers. She has been drawn out in 15 which is not ideal but Romiac came out this stall to take this race last year so it can be done.
Flying Fairies is nicely berthed in stall 4 with Killian Leonards 7lb claim aiding this ones cause and Ben Rumson carried the colours of Mrs D P Magnier to victory last week.
Dodgybingo sports 1st time blinkers and is 11lb below his last winning mark with Dylan Robinsons 7lb claim factored in.
7:50 Galway
Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen have combined to land this prize for H H Aga Khan for the last 2 years and looks to hold solid claims here with handicap debutant Baliyka. She won last time out on her 3rd outing and is open to plenty of improvement now stepped up in trip on handicap debut from an opening mark of 83.
Motherland is another handicap debutant who should go well having proved his stamina when winning readily over 1m5f last time out in Ballinrobe.
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