The Galway Races are now in full flow.
Day four is arguably the most important day of the week, as it is Ladies Day at Ballybrit.
Unlike previous days, the first race is at 13:40, so you need to get down to the bookies early – or the dry cleaners if you’re only interested in the best dressed competition.
GOING:
The ground is now Yielding (NH) and Soft (Flat) following 9mm of rain since 8am. Forecast is for a further 1-3mm of rain prior to racing and generally dry thereafter. As according to Horse Racing Ireland.
13:40 The Guinness Beginners Steeplechase
The opening race on ladies day will be 2m 6f 111yds in distance involving 18 horses. Hard to look past the favourite Minella Beau for this one. The Ruby Walsh & Willie Mullins double act will be expected to romp home at 5/2. With multiple first and second finishes, it is hard to look beyond.
If you are looking for an outsider on this one, look no further than Rachael Blackmore and Schmidt who was placed in its last three races. Schmidt is priced at 8/1.
But how many will be backing Vodka Society at 100/1? Worth a punt.
14:15 The Open Gate Brewery Novice Steeplechase (Grade 3)
A tidy €50,000 is at stake in the second race of the day. The Walsh/Mullins double act returns for race number two as Cadmium opens up as the favourite at 7/4. Another Mullins horse Robins Des Foret, ridden by Paul Townsend, will have something to say about that though, it is priced at 9/2.
You can get Screaming Rose at 12/1 which may end up making your day.
14:50 The Rockshore Handicap
A winner for us earlier in the week, Honor Oak is out again, and is a 5/1 favourite to take victory in the third race of the day which runs a distance of 1m 98yds.
G.M. Lyons and Tony The Gent may have something to say about this. At 11/2 I am backing Tony The Gent to take the 20 grand cash prize and take the best dressed lady out for dinner tonight.
A Remarkable Lady is odds on at 20/1 tomorrow. A Remarkable Lady won this race last year, so this price for the current champion is really rare.
15:25 The Arthur Guinness Irish EBF Corrib Fillies Stakes (Listed)
€60,000 is on offer in this 11-horse race.
Shane Foley will be atop favourite Yulong Gold Fairy, which is coming in at 4/1. A previous winner over this distance and course, it is hard to look past a victory here.
16:00 The Guinness Novice Hurdle
Exchange Rate is 7/2 to bring home the bacon in this 2m 4f 156yrds race. However, the same horse let us down the other day. Can we really but our trust in Ruby Walsh again?
For this one we are backing our Sapphire Lady at 10/1. Trained by Willie Mullins, ridden by Danny, we hope this jewel can take us to victory.
16:35 The Guinness Galway Hurdle Handicap(Grade A)
Our showpiece event today holds a jackpot prize of €300,000, meaning there just might be something more valuable than ‘best dressed’ on offer today. Whiskey Sour at 5/1 is the favourite, another product of the Mullins stable, it is not a given though that it will take home the win.
Good Tyne Tara, also trained by Mullins, and could be in line to snatch away victory (Personally, I don’t know any Tara who has a good tyne, but sure). At 8/1 Paul Townsend will feel he is in with a real shout here.
Jer’s Girl has won over this distance before, at 25/1 and given the day that’s in it, could be the perfect each-way punt.
17:15 The Open Gate Pure Brew Handicap
Townshend and High Expectations are set to fight it out for victory in the penultimate race of the day. At 9/4 and 11/2 respectively, there is very little to choose between them over the 1m 4f race.
Our outside bet on this one, sticking with our theme, is Byron Beauty and its jockey Rachael Blackmore which will give you a price of 16/1.
17:50 The Good Time For A Guinness Flat Race
The final race is a long distance flat at 2m 2f 59yds, Whatsyourstatus is a good shout at 10/1 for this race.
The Val O’Brien trained Rockwell Annie is a fantastic shout for an each-way punt at 25/1.
There goes our predictions for Ladies Day at the Galway Races. As always.. bet responsibly, drink responsibly and don’t blame us if you don’t win best dressed.
