The trainers to follow for the week ahead at Galway

The Galway festival is practically synonymous with one man, Dermot Weld, in whom thousands put their complete faith each year. While he's the undisputed king of Ballybrit, he's not the only trainer worth keeping an eye on over the seven days of Galway and we have picked out six of the best to keep onside:

Dermot Weld

Major festival winners: Ansar (Galway Plate 2004/05), Stunning View (Galway Mile 2011), General Idea (Galway Plate 1993)

Main jockeys: Pat Smullen, Leigh Roche

The king of Ballybrit's fondness for this meeting is demonstrated by his 18 consecutive champion trainer titles between 1998 and 2015 and while he will return to the western track armed with plenty of ammunition once again, his arsenal may not be as strong as it used to be. Weld has had a notably quiet year with only 20 winners and appears to be lacking a flagship horse.

This could all change as he approaches his favourite time of year. He has some quality horses in his yard such as the Aga Khan-owned duo of Haripour and Tirmizi, who are definitely capable of making an impact at Galway. Other horses to note hailing from his Curragh base include the twice-raced two-year-old Yulong Gold Fairy, who looks well up to winning a maiden and the 85-rated Lawman colt Zelaniya. The maiden duo of Sansibar Jewel and Shamad could also get on the score sheet.

Willie Mullins

Major festival winners: Blazing Tempo (Galway Plate 2011), Clondaw Warrior (Galway Hurdle 2016, Guinness Handicap 2015)

Main jockeys: Ruby Walsh, Paul Townend

Mullins claimed his first champion trainer title at Galway in 2016, saddling nine winners and seems to be concentrating on summer racing with greater focus. As a result, he sits at the top of the Irish trainers championship this season.

Ballycasey, last year's third, heads the weights for the Galway Plate, keeping stablemate Shaneshill on 11st 3lbCredit: Alain Barr

Robin Des Foret should pick up a novice hurdle race during the festival, while Ballycasey would be an interesting runner in the Plate if he showed up, albeit off a much higher mark than last year. Of his less exposed horses, Nessun Dorma (declared: 5.20 Monday) and Katie Connell would be popular if taking up an engagement.

Ger Lyons

Major festival winners: Brendan Brackan (Galway Mile 2013)

Main jockeys: Colin Keane, Gary Carroll

Ger Lyons has slowly built up his string and looks to have plenty of chances at this year's festival. Lyons' ability to place horses in the right races is admirable and that was the case when Brendan Brackan won the mile in 2013. Colin Keane rides Galway as well as any and is a major advantage to have on your team during race week.

Lyons has a nice mix of horses for this season, combining plenty of promising two-year-olds with battle-hardened handicappers. Sea Wolf and Song Of Namibia are two handicappers who always run their race and look potential stakes performers. Always Dancing, Masucci and Lady Nathaniel are others to keep an eye out for during the week.

Tony Martin

Major Festival Wins: Thomas Edison (Galway Hurdle 2014), Quick Jack (Galway Hurdle 2015), Golden Spear (Guinness Handicap 2016), Artful Artist (Guinness Handicap 2014)

Main Jockeys: Donagh Meyler, Oisin Orr, Colin Keane

Tony Martin excels at Galway. His horses love the sun on their backs combined with the stiff, uphill finish the track presents. He is another trainer who targets races from a long way out and his big-race success rate is impressive. He tends to send horses with a touch of class to the festival, highlighted by the progression they tend to show after impressing at the festival.

Golden Spear: was an unlucky loser at Galway last yearCredit: Alain Barr

Martin has already won two Galway Hurdles and The Plan Man may be able to add to the tally after having a couple of nice preparation runs. Thomas Edison should not be underestimated if he has another crack at the race too. Martin also has a couple fairly handicapped flat horses, including Landsman and The Graduate (declared: 7.40 Monday), who came from Andrew Balding in April and is yet to run on the level for Martin.

Joseph G Murphy

Major festival wins: Ask Jack (Galway Mile 2010)

Main jockeys: Gary Carroll, Killian Leonard

Fethard, Co. Tipperary, may well be best known for being home to the global operation of Coolmore Stud but it is also home of trainer Joe Murphy. He is very capable of training good horses and has had the likes of Born To Play, Euphrasia, Only Mine, The Monarch and Northgate pass through his hands in recent times. He described his Galway Mile victory in 2010 as "one of his biggest achievements in racing", emphasising his affection for the track and the festival.

He has a number of unexposed types who could have an impact at this year's renewal, with Silverkode, Deep Breath and Shekiba all fitting the bill. Fit For Function seems to be coming into form at the right time and could run well in one of the bigger handicaps through the week.

Stephen Mahon

Major Festival Wins: -

Main Jockeys: Robbie Dunne, Paul Townend

A local trainer, Stephen Mahon gets a tune out of his horses at Galway year after year. He does not have a large group of horses but they are always competitive wherever they run during the year. Last season, he seemed to base his summer plans around the festival and was rewarded with placed efforts from Aranhill Chief who was second in the Galway Blazers and Afatcat, who was also second in a handicap hurdle last year. Afatcat may well go one better this time around as he is 1lb lower than that run in 2016.

Mahon has pointed out in the last few months that his current stable star, Champagne Harmony, has been targeted at the Plate. Stormey should also be watched as he has now managed to win two handicap hurdles on the bounce and looks poised for a big effort at Ballybrit.