17:10 Galway

Leg 1 Selections: Dawn Rising, Champ Kiely

A large-field maiden hurdle event for leg one but DAWN RISING was last seen finishing second in a Group Three event on the Flat and Joseph O’Brien’s charge is a fascinating participant in this sphere. He has a fairly long absence to overcome but he could be too good for these if ready to roll. CHAMP KIELY won his sole bumper start fourteen months ago and also has to be respected on hurdles debut for the Willie Mullins team.

17:40 Galway

Leg 2 Selections: Snake Oil, Wild Hunt

And again, another wide-open event given the large numbers, but perhaps SNAKE OIL can make a bold bid on handicap debut. A winner of his only start in a bumper, he’s smoothly improved with each start over hurdles and put in a career-best performance last time to open his account. He should have even more to come over this longer distance. WILD HUNT has two wins and two seconds from his last four starts and is considered for his in-form handler in leg two.

18:10 Galway

Leg 3 Selections: Famous Escape, Two Shoe Tom

FAMOUS ESCAPE wasn’t disgraced when third over fences last time and reverts back to hurdles off an appealing mark with an excellent jockey in the saddle again too. She was disappointing on her last hurdles start but she’s not out of this for place purposes for her shrewd handler. TWO SHOE TOM is fifteen pounds above her last winning mark but she’s another to consider as an outsider, who could go very well in this company on leg three if she can brush up her jumping slightly.

18:40 Galway

Leg 4 Selections: Discordantly, Gabynako

This is, as expected, a quality renewal of the Galway Plate. I am interested in the bottom-weight DISCORDANTLY, who ran a very good race to finish second to last year’s winner of this race Royal Rendezvous last-time-out. He’s only a pound higher here and his team could hardly be in better form. He won by thirteen lengths on his only previous visit to this course, so he’s of definite interest at a big price. GABYNAKO was slightly disappointing last time but he’s better than that and the Arkle second makes his handicap debut. His jumping can be strange at times but when he’s good, he’s good, and with a clear round, he should be thereabouts.

19:15 Galway

Leg 5 Selections: Hallowed Star, Merlin Giant

HALLOWED STAR has twice ran at this course and has finished second and won the other time (over hurdles) and has knocked on the door in tow runs on the Flat this summer. With Patrick Mullins booked to ride, he’s a serious player in this contest. MERLIN GIANT shaped well on all three starts on the Flat last year and his connections won this race last year. This has clearly been his target this term, so he’s a major threat to all in this line-up.

19:50 Galway

Leg 6 Selections: Dairerin

Jessica Harrington and Shane Foley are in great form of late and after winning at this course two days ago, DAIRERIN has got to be feared turned out quickly, as he remains well-treated on his past form when formerly trained in the UK by Michael Bell. He should be suited to the step up and, is again, drawn nicely in stall six to get a nice prominent role. If he can handle the quick turnaround, it’s hard not see him in the first three in the final leg of today’s pool.