Gordon Elliott fires six darts at the Galway Plate including last year’s winner Ash Tree Meadow in his bid to become the leading trainer in the history of the race.
The eight-year-old faces a stiff test defending the crown as he heads the weights off a mark of 160 – a 15lb rise compared to 12 months ago – and it appears the stable fancy 2023 Champion Hurdle third Zanahiyr as their leading hope due to Jack Kennedy taking the ride.
Chemical Energy, Duffle Coat, Hurricane Georgie and Tullybeg complete the trainer’s sextet for Wednesday’s 19:10.
The Willie Mullins-trained Authorized Art was the best of the rest behind Ash Tree Meadow in last season’s renewal and is joined by Easy Game, Janidil, Mister Policeman and Saint Roi for his latest crack at the prize.
Henry de Bromhead pitches four into the mix, with Rachel Blackmore favouring Lets Go Champ over Amirite, Life In The Park and Toss Again.
Despite the big three trainers being responsible for more than half the field, a couple of leading antepost fancies come from smaller stables, with both carrying the JP McManus colours.
Perceval Legallois, trained by Gavin Cromwell, looks to have a big run over fences in the locker and Harry Fry’s In Excelsis Deo heads across the Irish Sea in winning form after a dominant victory in the Silver Trophy at Cheltenham in April.
The latest Galway Plate odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Galway Plate 2024 verdict
Timeform: Gavin Cromwell’s PERCEVAL LEGALLOIS took a 5 lb rise for his excellent Punchestown second but still looks ahead of his mark and edges the vote in this ultra competitive Galway Plate. The progressive Let’s Go Champ rates the pick of Henry de Bromhead’s quartet and heads the list of dangers, although a solid case can also be made for Willie Mullins’ duo Mister Policeman and Authorized Art as well as last year’s victor Ash Tree Meadow. Punchestown scorer Pinkerton completes the shortlist.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Galway Plate 2024 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Galway Plate 2024.
Ash Tree Meadow
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Alex Harvey Age: 8 Weight: 11st 12lbs
Took this 12 months ago and teed himself up for a repeat when second over hurdles at Punchestown (19.2f, good) 52 days ago. Not taken lightly in his follow-up bid.
***
Easy Game
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: B. Hayes Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Two wins from 5 runs last season and he landed 7-runner minor event chase at Listowel (19f, good to soft) 58 days ago, driven clear. Considered.
***
Saint Roi
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: A. P. Kelly Age: 9 Weight: 11st 8lbs
Eleven runs since last win in 2022. Good short-head second of 17 to Pinkerton in handicap chase (9/1) at Punchestown (16.3f, good to soft) 90 days ago, just failing. Significantly up in trip. In the mix.
***
Janidil
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: J. S. McGarvey Age: 10 Weight: 11st 7lbs
Six wins from 23 NH runs. 125/1, pulled up in handicap chase at Aintree (34.3f, soft) 109 days ago. Significantly down in trip. Not ruled out.
***
Authorized Art
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: D. E. Mullins Age: 9 Weight: 11st 5lbs
Good 3½ lengths third of 17 to Lets Go Champ in handicap chase (25/1) at Punchestown (20.4f, good to soft) 91 days ago. Cheekpieces back on and ought to be thereabouts.
***
Idas Boy
Trainer: Noel Meade Jockey: C. Stone-Walsh Age: 10 Weight: 11st 5lbs
Career best when winning 14-runner handicap chase (40/1) at Kilbeggan (25.4f, good to soft) 19 days ago by 3 lengths from Amirite, forging clear. Tongue strap on 1st time. Shortlisted.
***
Dunvegan
Trainer: P. A. Fahy Jockey: M. J. M. O’Sullivan Age: 11 Weight: 11st 2lbs
Fifteenth of 18 in handicap (12/1) at Fairyhouse (14f, good) 47 days ago. Switches from Flat to chase with more required.
**
Mister Policeman
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: P. Townend Age: 6 Weight: 11st 1lbs
Looked firmly on the up when landing Grade 3 at Thurles in March but made mistakes when pulled up in handicap chase at Punchestown (20.2f, soft, 4/1) 89 days ago. In excellent hands and well worth another chance.
****
Solness
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien Jockey: J. J. Slevin Age: 6 Weight: 11st 1lbs
Cheekpieces on for 1st time, creditable 5¼ lengths fourth of 17 to Pinkerton in handicap chase (16/1) at Punchestown (16.3f, good to soft) 90 days ago. Significantly up in trip. Yard in good form so possibilities.
***
French Dynamite
Trainer: M. F. Morris Jockey: D. J. O’Keeffe Age: 9 Weight: 10st 13lbs
Creditable seventh of 12 in handicap chase at Wexford (19.5f, good to soft, 14/1) 18 days ago. Blinkers on 1st time. No forlorn hope.
***
Chemical Energy
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Jordan Gainford Age: 8 Weight: 10st 12lbs
Six wins from 16 NH runs. Pulled up in handicap chase at Aintree (34.3f, soft, 50/1) 109 days ago, behind when bad mistake 4 out. Significantly down in trip. Sort to bounce back.
***
Zanahiyr
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: J. W. Kennedy Age: 7 Weight: 10st 11lbs
Very smart winner at 18f over hurdles. 17/2, 26 lengths fifth of 7 to Spillane’s Tower in WillowWarm Gold Cup Novices’ Chase at Fairyhouse (20f, heavy) 122 days ago. Much respected on his handicap chase debut.
****
Amirite
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies Age: 8 Weight: 10st 10lbs
Good 3 lengths second of 14 to Idas Boy in handicap chase (3/1) at Kilbeggan (25.4f, good to soft) 19 days ago. Yard having good spell. Cheekpieces on 1st time. Can make his presence felt.
***
In Excelsis Deo
Trainer: Harry Fry Jockey: Jonathan Burke Age: 6 Weight: 10st 8lbs
Career best when winning 12-runner handicap chase (3/1) at Cheltenham (20.6f, good) 105 days ago, staying on well. Cheekpieces on 1st time. Enters calculations.
***
Perceval Legallois
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell Jockey: M. P. Walsh Age: 7 Weight: 10st 8lbs
Course winner who posted an excellent second of 17 in handicap chase at Punchestown (20.2f, soft, 4/1) 89 days ago, clear of rest. Weighted to go close off a 5 lb higher mark.
*****
Tullybeg
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Sam Ewing Age: 9 Weight: 10st 7lbs
Two wins from 5 runs last season. 16/1, good 3½ lengths third of 14 to Idas Boy in handicap chase at Kilbeggan (25.4f, good to soft) 19 days ago. In the picture.
***
Duffle Coat
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: D. J. Gilligan Age: 7 Weight: 10st 6lbs
Latest win in chase at Ballinrobe in May. 16/1, respectable 9 lengths fifth of 14 to Idas Boy in handicap chase at Kilbeggan (25.4f, good to soft) 19 days ago. Not entirely dismissed.
***
Lets Go Champ
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Rachael Blackmore Age: 9 Weight: 10st 6lbs
Promising sort. Career best when winning 17-runner handicap chase (11/4) at Punchestown (20.4f, good to soft) 91 days ago, driven clear. Yard in good form. Should go well again.
****
Life In The Park
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: M. P. O’Connor Age: 7 Weight: 10st 6lbs
Possibly amiss when pulled up in handicap chase (11/2) at Aintree (21.1f, soft) 110 days ago. Cheekpieces on 1st time but others are more persuasive.
**
Pinkerton
Trainer: Noel Meade Jockey: Donagh Meyler Age: 8 Weight: 10st 4lbs
Useful winner at 15f over hurdles. 15/2, won 17-runner handicap chase at Punchestown (16.3f, good to soft) 90 days ago by short head from Saint Roi, holding on gamely. Significantly up in trip. Can go well again.
***
Toss Again
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: R. A. Doyle Age: 7 Weight: 10st 4lbs
C&D winner. Two wins from 4 runs last season. Creditable 11¼ lengths fourth of 16 to Duffle Coat in handicap chase at Ballinrobe (23.4f, good, 9/1) 65 days ago. Stable in good form so needs considering.
***
Hurricane Georgie
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: K. C. Sexton Age: 7 Weight: 10st 3lbs
Latest win in chase at Limerick in May. Respectable 16 lengths sixth of 14 to Idas Boy in handicap chase at Kilbeggan (25.4f, good to soft, 16/1) 19 days ago. Not discounted.
***
Today’s Galway Tips
- Ruby Walsh’s horse racing tips for Galway on Wednesday
Read More on the Galway Races
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
- When is the Galway Plate 2024? Galway date, start time, runners and betting
- Galway Races Summer Festival 2024 times and schedule
- How to watch the Galway Races Summer Festival including free live stream details
The Paddy Power Guide To Safer Gambling – Everything You Need To Know
