Galway Plate Runners: Guide To Full Field From @RoadCheltenham

t might be the end of July but jumps racing is well and truly on the mind as we gear up for the 2024 edition of the Galway Plate.

It is one of the most prestigious races on the calendar and National Hunt fans will be hoping for a thrilling renewal, with Ash Tree Meadow looking to become the first horse since Ansar in 2005 to retain his crown.

With a total prize pot of €270,000 available, winning connections will collect €159,300 and all eyes will be on the Ballybrit track for what should be a proper spectacle. Without further ado, I’m going to take a quick look at all 22 runners...

1. Ash Tree Meadow (Alex Harvey)

Last year’s winner but faces a much tougher task this time around. Alex Harvey rides and his 7lb claim will be handy. Likely to be prominent early on.

2. Easy Game (Brian Hayes)

Second in this race in 2021 but finished down the field in each of last two years. Has form round Galway but a big ask for this 10-year-old on his 42nd start under rules.

3. Saint Roi (Aidan Kelly)

Never gone beyond 2m4f before but stayed that trip well. Jockey’s 5lbs claim will help but back up to a mark of 156 will make life tough for him in this.

4. Janidil (Jody McGarvey)

Shown no kind of form since winning the Grade 2 Red Mills Chase in February 2023. He would be a long, long way down the shortlist for me.

5. Authorized Art (Danny Mullins)

Never say never but it will take the canniest of rides from Canny Danny for Authorized Art to go one better than last year. Runs off a career high mark of 153.

6. Idas Boy (Conor Stone-Walsh)

A great performance last time out to win at Kilbeggan. Up in the weights but is a dark horse on his best form and his jockey is a very useful claimer.

7. Dunvegan (Michael O’Sullivan)

The outsider of the field – and with good reason. Not entirely convinced he’ll get the trip, having finished ninth of 19 on his previous try over 2m6f.

8. Mister Policeman (Paul Townend)

Who’d have thought this fella would end up running in a Galway Plate? Not me, that’s for sure. Willie Mullins really is a genius if he can train Mister Policeman to win this race.

9. Solness (JJ Slevin)

Another who is yet to attempt the trip. He’s been campaigned predominantly at 2m but there is stamina in his pedigree and he cannot be ruled out.

10. French Dynamite (Darragh O’Keeffe)

So often the bridesmaid, he’s ran well in some of the biggest races on both sides of the Irish Sea. Winless over fences since March 2022, it would be a shock if he was to prevail. 

11. Chemical Energy (Jordan Gainford)

Showed promise as a young horse but has lost his way since finishing second in the 2023 National Hunt Chase. Pulled up in two of his last three runs but will like the ground. 

12. Zanahiyr (Jack Kennedy)

Ticks plenty of boxes. Had a busy season but been given a break since Fairyhouse and should be fresh. Has nice form, unexposed at the trip and enjoys a quicker surface. I’m expecting a big run with Jack Kennedy in the saddle.

13. Amirite (Sam Twiston-Davies)

Been knocking on the door for a while and deserves a big pot. Goes well on the ground and trained by a master in Henry de Bromhead. Stays further than this and will appreciate the stamina test if ran at a frantic pace.

14. In Excelsis Deo (Jonathan Burke)

One of four for JP McManus but the only one trained outside of Ireland. A good winner of a lucrative handicap at Cheltenham’s April meeting, the form of that race is working out nicely. Up 5lbs but a progressive type and can continue to improve.

15. Perceval Legallois (Mark Walsh)

Leading claims on all known form but is he well handicapped? I can see him going well but simply bumping into one. Goes well round Galway and the trip will be no concern for him. Easy to see why he was antepost favourite.

16. Tullybeg (Sam Ewing)

If you like Idas Boy and Amirite, logic dictates that you also give Tullybeg a chance. Sam Ewing gets the leg up and he’s riding tremendously well, notching 18 winners so far this season – level with Keith Donoghue at the top of the Irish jockeys championship.

17. Duffle Coat (Danny Gilligan)

He’ll love the forecast going conditions but I’m not entirely convinced that he wants a step down in trip. However, Danny Gilligan takes a useful 3lbs off and he could be in the shake-up with a bit of luck. A live outsider.

18. Lets Go Champ (Rachael Blackmore)

Received support in the betting since declarations. Lets Go Champ enjoyed a big field handicap success at Punchestown in May and now runs off a career high mark of 140. If a step back up in trip brings out improvement, he could go well.

19. Life In The Park (Mike O’Connor)

I gave this lad a brief mention in my antepost write-up and I fancy him to give his backers a run for their money. Mike O’Connor gets on well with the horse, steering him to a staying-on fourth in the Plate at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.

20. Pinkerton (Donagh Meyler)

Pinkerton landed me a touch at the Punchestown Festival but 2m6f round Galway is an entirely different proposition. I liked him when I saw the entries and I give him a chance but the step up to 2m6f is a concern. Donagh Meyler rides for the first time.

21. Toss Again (Ricky Doyle)

Wouldn’t be for me if truth be told. I can understand the angle given he won over course and distance 12 months ago but I wonder if he’s classy enough to win a race of this magnitude... I’d be happy to be proven wrong.

22. Hurricane Georgie (Kevin Sexton)

Likely to go down as an ‘also ran’. Hurricane Georgie unseated her rider in 2022 before finishing 19 lengths adrift of Ash Tree Meadow in last year’s race. Kevin Sexton takes the ride.