Galway Hurdle Tips: Antepost View After Entries

36 horses have been entered for the 2024 Galway Hurdle and a certain Willie Mullins is responsible for 14 of those – the Closutton master often targets this race, winning three of the previous four renewals.

The highlight race of Day 4 at the Galway Festival looks competitive enough but there are a few standouts at the prices. I’m going to take a closer look at the potential runners and the early antepost odds ahead of this year’s meeting. It came as no surprise to me to see DADDY LONG LEGS (8/1) installed as the market leader for this race and he could have more in hand off his new mark of 150.

He looks a proper Graded animal on a faster surface and he’ll be popular if the rain stays away. Willie Mullins has won this race with top weights in the past and even last year’s winner Zarak The Brave was carrying 11-05. Daddy Long Legs will need to shoulder 11-07 but it wouldn’t be a huge shock if he was able to do so. I’m a big fan of his.I’d imagine Paul Townend will choose to ride the Joe & Marie Donnelly horse but there is more than one Closutton runner with a chance and BIALYSTOK (14/1) is another that should enjoy the fast surface round Galway. He was seventh in the race last year but was beaten less than six lengths in the end and I believe this horse has a big pot in him. He throws in the odd stinker but he had a nice pipe opener at the Curragh to blow the cobwebs away and he’ll be primed for this.

We know JP McManus loves a winner at this meeting and it would be great to see the Nicky Henderson-trained UNDER CONTROL (10/1) emerge victorious. She is the sole British entry in the race and I give her a great chance on all known form. She spent some time back at Martinstown after a late mishap meant she missed an intended run at Kelso in March but hopefully she’ll be perfectly prepped for Galway. She has solid form in big field handicaps and she ticks plenty of boxes.

Henry de Bromhead has just one in the race and GORGEOUS TOM (10/1) would have a great chance. I’m not entirely convinced that he wants to drop back in trip but he has been effective over the minimum distance in the past. He’s up 9lbs for beating the well-touted Mistergif at the 2024 Punchestown Festival but he could still have room for improvement and his trainer has always stated that better ground will see him to best effect. He’ll have plenty of supporters, I’m sure. 

FASCILE MODE (14/1) has been popular with punters since the weights were allocated on Monday, with a number of firms going as low as 8/1 for the Thomas Mullins runner. He has relished quicker ground in recent months, putting in a terrific performance to down odds on favourite Ash Tree Meadow at Punchestown. Incredibly, the handicapper has kept him on a mark of 133 and he has his chance if he lines up.

Last but certainly not least, I’d give NURBURGRING (14/1) a big chance off a mark of 137. He’s one of three 4-year-olds in the race and he heads to Galway as a fresh enough horse, with the cobwebs brushed away on the flat at Leopardstown earlier this month.

Joseph O’Brien will be hoping for a big week and Nurburgring could be the highlight if the stars align. He looks to have a fantastic opportunity if the weather forecast is right and he’ll be seeing my money come declarations if he is ready to take his chance.