Goodwood might be glorious but Galway is just as charming in its own unique way

Climate change may have contributed to Britain's hottest ever day last week but nothing ever changes at Galway. It remains the unofficial centrepiece of every Irish summer. No matter how much the universe is changing all around us, the buzz at Ballybrit never goes away and that is why it is the preferred holiday destination for tens of thousands of Irish punters.

The seven-day pilgrimage starts on Monday with the usual concoction of tricky handicaps and fascinating maidens. It is a recipe for disaster and delirium in equal measure.

The venue has become more glamorous in recent years, not just in the fashion stakes but on the track too. When Sir Frederick won the Galway Plate in 2007 he was rated 126. He wouldn't even get into the race these days. The lowest-rated runner last year had a mark of 141.

Sir Frederick won the Galway Plate in 2007 rated just 126Credit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Carlingford Lough plundered the Plate in 2013 on his way to winning five Grade 1s over fences. Road To Riches went on to win two Grade 1s and finished third in a Cheltenham Gold Cup after his success in the race in 2014, while 2017 winner Balko Des Flos destroyed Un De Sceaux in a Ryanair Chase a few months later.

It has been similar in the Galway Hurdle. Sharjah sprung a 12-1 surprise 12 months ago and it proved the springboard for a highly successful season which included two Grade 1 victories at Punchestown and Leopardstown.

It is more than just good fun, you know. So much more. There could be Classic clues in maidens, as was the case last year when Hermosa swooped late to land the fillies' contest over seven furlongs. She did the 1,000 Guineas double earlier this summer.

Where else would you get Cheltenham and Classic clues at the same meeting?

There will be gallons of Guinness guzzled, over 4,000 beef rolls scoffed and future spouses sought but don't let that distract you from the action on the track.

Bryony Frost and Black Corton will be there on Wednesday to try and give Paul Nicholls a second Plate, 11 years on from Oslot, and Fred Winter winner Band Of Outlaws is favourite for the Hurdle. The two showpieces are superb.

Bryony Frost and Black Corton will be seeking Galway Plate glory on WednesdayCredit: Michael Steele

Before we get stuck into the thick of the action in the middle of the week, there is a seven-race mixed card to be sorted out today. The Connacht Hotel Handicap (7.40) is the most valuable prize on offer and it gives amateurs a chance to strut their stuff on the big stage.
Jamie Codd is officially an amateur but we all know better than that. He is on Great Trango for Harry Kelly, a wide-margin winner at last year's festival. Take the hint.

Goodwood might be glorious but Galway is just as charming in its own unique way. There is no week like it.

Mullins odds-on favourite to be top trainer

Dermot Weld is a whopping 8-1 with Ladbrokes to be crowned champion trainer at Galway for a 29th time this week as Willie Mullins' recent bonanza at Ballybrit is expected to continue according to the layers.

Mullins is as short as 2-7 to end the seven-day extravaganza with the most winners, though he is slighter bigger with Paddy Power who are quoting him at 1-2. The same firm go 5-1 about Weld. The master of Rosewell House had not been champion trainer at Galway since 2015.

Willie Mullins is hot favourite to be the top trainer at GalwayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Ladbrokes have chalked up markets for the amount of Weld and Mullins winners too.

Weld is evens to train four or more winners and 8-11 to train three or fewer. Mullins is just 5-6 to train 12 or more winners and the same price to have 11 or less.

Paul Townend is 2-1 favourite with Paddy Power to be crowned top jockey, with Colin Keane next on the list at 7-2.

Ladbrokes representative Nicola McGeady said: "This year the two men we fear the most is the powerful duo of Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. They come to the West with a strong squad along with the potential to break the bookies."

Top Trainer
Ladbrokes: 2-7 Willie Mullins, 9-2 Joseph O’Brien, 8 Dermot Weld, 14 Gordon Elliott, 25 Aidan O’Brien
Paddy Power: 1-2 Willie Mullins, 4 Joseph O'Brien, 5 Dermot Weld, 12 Aidan O'Brien, 16 Gordon Elliott, 20 Ger Lyons

Top Jockey
Ladbrokes: 9-4 Paul Townend, 3 Colin Keane, 5 Donnacha O'Brien, Billy Lee, 8 Patrick Mullins, Chris Hayes, 10 Shane Foley
Paddy Power: 2 Paul Townend, 7-2 Colin Keane, Billy Lee, 6 Donnacha O'Brien, 9 Patrick Mullins, Chris Hayes

Three things you must remember at Galway

Races can change complexion very quickly

Just because you jump the last fence in front does not mean you will win, or finish in the first six for that matter. The complexion of races can change utterly on that punishing uphill climb to the line so do not count your chickens before they hatch or get sucked into short prices on the exchanges. Hermosa hit a high of 32 in-running on her way to winning the 7f fillies maiden last year. Swamp Fox went as low as 1.12 before being collared by Tigris River in the 2017 Galway Hurdle. You are never home safely at Galway until you pass that winning post.

Punchestown heat the best Plate trial

The 2m5f handicap chase at the Punchestown festival, which is worth €100,000 in prize-money, has been the best trial for the Galway Plate in recent years. Balko Des Flos was third in it before mopping up the Plate a few months later and Poker Party filled the same position in early May. Can he follow in the footsteps of Henry de Bromhead's star chaser on Wednesday?

Camlann is the ultimate course specialist

We all know the Mee family love nothing more than winners at Galway and Camlann has given them plenty to shout about in recent years. Shark Hanlon's charge has won twice and been placed on five other occasions at Ballybrit and he turned up three times at last year's meeting. He is entered in the 2m½f handicap (8.30) on Wednesday and warmed up for his big day with an eyecatching effort at Ballinrobe last week.

Camlann goes for more Galway Glory on WednesdayCredit: Patrick McCann

Day-by-day guide

Monday

The amateur riders get a chance to shine in the Connacht Hotel Handicap (7.40) which sees the classy Mr Adjudicator lead the Willie Mullins charge. The opening 2m novice hurdle (5.20) is usually a classy affair and has been won by Bachasson in 2015, Le Richebourg in 2017 and Easy Game last year. Innisfree is likely to be a warm order for the 7f maiden (6.25) which was won by subsequent Irish Derby winner, Grey Swallow, in 2003.

Tuesday

The Colm Quinn BMW Mile (7.40) takes centre stage with a winner's cheque of €70,800 up for grabs. Riven Light has won the race for the last two years and Willie Mullins reports the seven-year-old to be on course for another crack at one of the hottest handicaps of the summer. Keep a close eye on the Colm Quinn BMW Irish EBF Fillies Maiden (6.25) too, as it was won by Hermosa last year.

Hermosa scored in a maiden at the 2018 Galway festival before landing the 1,000 Guineas double this yearCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Wednesday

All eyes will be on thetote.com Galway Plate (7.20) which has a later-than-usual start time. Not since Oslot in 2008 has there been a British winner but Paul Nicholls is back for more, this time with the Bryony Frost-ridden Black Corton who looks tailor-made for the track. Gordon Elliott has his usual strong hand with plenty of support for Borice, while the presence of Coney Island adds some quality to the fare.

Thursday

The Guinness Galway Hurdle (4.55) seems to grow in quality year after year and the 2019 renewal looks red-hot with Fred Winter winner Band Of Outlaws currently topping the market having been bought by JP McManus. There is also the Listed Corrib Fillies Stakes (3.45) which is always a competitive affair.

Friday

The Guinness Handicap (6.50) is never short of quality and this year's contest is jam-packed full of classy performers. It could also be the scene for Hugo Palmer's first Galway runner with the 98-rated Collide entered.

Collide could be Hugo Palmer's first ever runner at Galway on FridayCredit: Grossick Racing 07710461723

Saturday

Staying hurdlers will chase a winner's cheque of €70,800 in the Galway Shopping Centre Handicap Hurdle (2.30). Low Sun won the race last year, while Carlingford Lough did the business in 2012. The versatile Rashaan heads the weights this time and is a previous course winner.

Sunday

The feature Irish Stallion Farms EBF "Ahonoora" Handicap (3.55) has gone to an outsider for the last five years with Brian Ellison scooping four of those victories with Baraweez in 2014 and 2015 and Dream Walker doing the business in 2016 and 2017. That pair could be back for more, as could the lovable Top Notch Tonto.

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