Last year's hero Ash Tree Meadow and classy Zanahiyr set to spearhead Gordon Elliott's challenge for a fifth Galway Plate

Ash Tree Meadow will attempt to become the first back-to-back winner of the Galway Plate since ultimate course specialist Ansar in 2005 as part of a strong challenge from the Gordon Elliott team.
Elliott has won the Galway Plate four times in the last decade and will become the most successful trainer in the recent history of the race if he adds his name to the roll of honour for a fifth time on July 31.
Ash Tree Meadow made every yard of the running in the race last year under local boy Danny Gilligan, and has won three times since, meaning he will have to defy a 15lb higher mark if he is to repeat his heroics in this year's race.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inIreland
Last updated
- Jack Kennedy targeting summer return after confirming he will miss rest of the season
- Willie Mullins confirms Lossiemouth is set to take on Constitution Hill but Brighterdaysahead to miss Aintree
- Leading 1,000 Guineas contender Fairy Godmother retired to stud after setback
- Aidan O'Brien's Delacroix heads Ballysax field and Breeders' Cup star returns on Leopardstown card
- Jimmy Mangan plotting big-race raids at Aintree and Punchestown for star chaser Spillane's Tower
- Jack Kennedy targeting summer return after confirming he will miss rest of the season
- Willie Mullins confirms Lossiemouth is set to take on Constitution Hill but Brighterdaysahead to miss Aintree
- Leading 1,000 Guineas contender Fairy Godmother retired to stud after setback
- Aidan O'Brien's Delacroix heads Ballysax field and Breeders' Cup star returns on Leopardstown card
- Jimmy Mangan plotting big-race raids at Aintree and Punchestown for star chaser Spillane's Tower