The one race you don't want to miss on the opening day of the Galway festival

7.40 Galway
Connacht Hotel Amateur Riders Handicap | 2m1f, 4yo+ | RTE2/RTV

Why is it interesting?

The Galway festival's opening day feature is a race all of Ireland's amateur riders want to have on their CV. So far the prize has eluded 11-time champion Patrick Mullins who will be hoping to add the event to his list of big-race triumphs when he partners Legal Spin, trained by his father, Willie, who bids to win the race for the third year running.

The four-year-old was runner-up under Ryan Moore in a premier handicap at the Curragh on his reappearance last month, and is one of four representatives for Mullins who also runs Mr Adjudicator, Royal Illusion and Great White Shark.

What do the stats say?

Since the turn of the century only Ghimaar in 2009 and Midnight Music in 2012 have carried more than 11st to victory.

Only one rider involved in this year's renewal has previously won the contest. Derek O'Connor, who rides Baba Boom for JP McManus and Johnny Murtagh, was successful on Rapid Deployment in 2003.

The Harry Kelly-trained Great Trango, the mount of Jamie Codd, is the only course-and-distance winner in the line-up. That win was achieved at the same meeting a year ago and he has not run on the Flat since.

What do the trainers say?

John Murphy, trainer of Brazos
He's in great form. The ground was a bit quick for him at the Curragh last time. It won't be as quick and that will help him. While he has top weight, we're looking forward to a good run.

Tony Martin, trainer of Newcross and Mr Everest
Newcross won nicely at Listowel last time. He was unlucky not to win over a mile and a half at the festival last year and the longer trip should suit. We're very happy with him. Mr Everest is coming back from a break. He's fresh and well and should give a good account.

Frank Berry, racing manager for JP McManus, owner of Litterale Ci and Baba Boom
Litterale Ci was a bit disappointing in a handicap at Newbury last time and we're hoping she will have come on for the run. Baba Boom hasn't won since scoring over a mile and a half at the same meeting last year, but Johnny [Murtagh] is happy with him and reports him in good form.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Rovetta and Neverushacon
Rovetta is drawn very wide but that might not be a bad thing for her as she likes to be dropped in. She won twice at the meeting last year, on the Flat and over hurdles, and came from well off the pace both times. Neverushacon hasn't run for a long time but he had a good spin at the Curragh recently and is fresh and well and ready to go.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Legal Spin, Royal Illusion, Mr Adjudicator and Great White Shark
Legal Spin ran very well when second at the Curragh on his first start of the year. You'd imagine he'll have improved for the run and the trip will suit him well. Going back up in distance should suit Royal Illusion, while the trip shouldn't be a problem for Mr Adjudicator if he handles the track. Claiming 7lb off Great White Shark will leave him with only 10st 3lb and that should give him a chance.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer Shakespears'galley and Chess Grand Master
Both are in good form. Shakespears'galley has been very consistent. He's won over the distance and has a good draw whereas Chess Grand Master has a bad draw which will make it tough for him.

Denis Hogan, trainer of Brawler
He's been running over hurdles since we got him but he won on the Flat in France and is interesting off a mark of 78. He's got a low weight and will stay the trip. I'm looking forward to it.

Dermot Weld, trainer of Dalton Highway
He won well at the Curragh last time and is in good form. He has his chance, but it's going to be hard for him from such a high draw.

What do our tipsters say?

An open and decent race, in character with some of the better renewals over the years. Tony Martin has a strong hand with both Newcross and Mr Everest having strong claims. The year-absent Baba Boom has a big chance if turning up close to his best, as has the much-improved Shakespear'sgalley. However, the four-pronged attack of Willie Mullins is hard to ignore, and the best of his looks likely to be the lightly-raced LEGAL SPIN who went very close at the Curragh last time after eight months off and could well take the beating.
Justin O'Hanlon

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