Galway Plate Antepost Tips: Two Each-Way Picks Following The Initial Entry Stage

Following the initial entries for the Galway Plate, HorseRacing.net's NH expert @RoadCheltenham has taken a look at the runners and found two antepost bets.

Entries for the 2024 Galway Plate closed on Wednesday 17th July and a total of 33 horses have been entered for the €270,000 feature on Day 3 of the Galway Festival.

Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott have seven entries apiece while Henry de Bromhead has opted to put four in at the initial entry stage.

Gavin Cromwell, regarded by many as the shrewdest target trainer in the sport, has just one entry in the race and PERCEVAL LEGALLOIS (6/1) certainly ticks several boxes.

He has course form, winning on chase debut at the track last October and finishing a close second in the 2022 Galway Hurdle, and that is a huge plus to his chances.

Known for being a particularly testing track, Galway’s undulating circuit won’t suit every horse in the race and it’s easy to see why bookmakers have taken no chances and opened him as the antepost favourite

The JP McManus horse is up to a career high mark of 142 after his second in the Listed novice handicap chase at the Punchestown Festival but he could still have further improvement in him.

MISTER POLICEMAN (7/1) had a lofty reputation when he joined the Willie Mullins yard but I’d imagine connections never expected he’d be running in a Galway Plate. Once touted as a potential Arkle horse, it’s funny how things work out sometimes...

Pulled up on his only try beyond 2m2f, you’re relying on the step up in trip to bring the best out of him. However, he is trained by a genius so never say never – though he isn’t on my shortlist if I’m being completely honest.

With an official rating of 160, last year’s winner ASH TREE MEADOW (16/1) is the highest rated horse in the race and he will likely take his chance again after a nice prep run over hurdles in June.

It’ll be some effort if he can defend his crown. He ran off a mark of 145 with a 7lbs claimer on last year so would be around 22lbs worse off if he lines up with a professional jockey onboard.

The one for me at this early stage is AMIRITE (10/1). Now rated 144, he’s been running in some of the top staying handicaps over the past year or so and I thought he ran a great race at Kilbeggan the last day.

He’s up 2lbs for that effort behind Ida’s Boy but he’ll likely have a nice racing weight here and his two career wins under rules have both come at right-handed tracks. I expect him to be on the premises at the business end of the race.

An interesting one that is way down the weights is PINKERTON (16/1) – readers may recall that I had a nice win on him at the Punchestown Festival a couple of months back. I’d say he still has scope to improve on his new chase mark of 138.

If he can sneak into the race, there’s a chance he could go well for Noel Meade and owner Philip Polly. He’s not gone further than 2m over fences but is by Ocovango and the likes of Langer Dan, Champ Kiely and Theatre Man have all thrived up in trip.

It’s great to see Harry Fry and Peter & Michael Bowen with entries and I hope at least one goes over and flies the flag for the British. IN EXCELSIS DEO (6/1) would have an obvious chance given his progressive profile.

He’s now rated 143 in Britain after victory at Cheltenham in April and the second is now up to a mark of 159 after a couple of excellent runs in recent months. He is unexposed at the trip but Harry Fry has no issues bringing one over for this meeting.

Meanwhile, FRANCKY DU BERLAIS and STATUARIO may make the ferry trip over from Haverfordwest – the former is winless since victory in the 2022 Summer Plate while the latter continues to improve and he’ll relish a quick surface. The quicker, the better for him.

The Galway Festival is as much about the social aspect as it is the racing but let’s not forget that this is the crown jewel of the summer jumps season. Fingers crossed the race is well supported – it looks like a thrilling renewal at this early stage.

Antepost Tips (19th July 2024)