Manhattan Swing© Photo Healy Racing
Dermot Weld, often dubbed the King Of Ballybrit, looks to have strong claims throughout the card on the first day of the Galway Festival
Weld has won three of the last four runnings of the opening Radissonhotelgalway.com & Galwaybayhotel.com Novice Hurdle, and he is represented this year by Manhattan Swing
The son of Invincible Spirit, who is rated 94 on the level, makes his debut over jumps but is sure to be well-schooled and with Davy Russell in the saddle, he can be expected to go close. Morga won a valuable novice event at the Punchestown Festival in May and she looks a big danger, while others with leading claims are Ridestan McKinley and Erlkonig
The Tony Martin-trained Artful Artist is the stand-out name in the Easyfix Rubber Products Handicap Hurdle, the only race on the programme where Weld does not have a runner.
The five-year-old son of Excellent Art makes his handicap debut over hurdles and with Barry Geraghty booked to ride, a big performance looks likely.
The Claregalwayhotel.ie EBF Maiden has been dominated by Weld and Aidan O'Brien since 2006 and this year looks no exception. The former is represented by Postulation while Jamaica flies the flag for Ballydoyle.
The duo met at the Curragh in June, with the O'Brien runner finishing over a length and a half in front of his rival. Both were making their debuts and there could be even less between them now.
Weld saddles handicap debutant Bobby's Heart in a first-time visor for the Claytonhotelgalway.ie Handicap and he is sure to be well-supported with Pat Smullen in the saddle.
The Pillo Hotel Handicap appears a more open affair with recent winners Primogeniture Annus Mirabilis and Lady Clitico a few for the shortlist, while Weld is represented by another handicap debutant here in the shape of Timiyan who will also wear a visor for the first time.
Weld again looks to have strong claims in the bumper, the Colm Quinn BMW Flat Race, with the Dr Ronan Lambe-owned Call Vinnie who won his point-to-point at Templemore on his second start for Martin Cullinane back in April and then changed hands for 90,000 euros. Old Storm is a fellow point-to-point winner and he looks to have solid claims for John Hanlon and Patrick Mullins, while others to consider are Lucky Pat Flight Plan and Princely Conn
