Galway Day 5: Key Owner, Trainer, and Jockey Insights

The Galway Festival is one of the highlights of the summer and the seven-day extravaganza continues on Friday.

Flat racing takes centre stage on Day 5, with all except two of the races taking place on the level.

Winners are hard to come by at Galway, as the racing is very competitive so we’ve selected the owner, trainer and jockey to follow at Galway.

Jessica Harrington had a winner on each of the first two days and she has some interesting chances, while Dylan Browne McMonagle has an excellent book of rides.

JP McManus is rarely far away from the winners’ enclosure and his runners are worth keeping an eye on.

Owner - JP McManus

Everyone in racing is familiar with his green and gold silks and JP McManus has invested heavily in the sport over the years. He has Nod Of Approval in the opening race on the card, a two-year-old maiden, and improvement is anticipated.

There’s €80,000 on offer in the Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase and McManus is set to have three runners. Retained rider Mark Walsh has sided with Neveradullmoment who won nicely over course and distance in September. The handicapper may have him in their grasp for now, but don’t rule him out. Invictus Machin made it no further than the first fence at Roscommon last time, but the form of his second at Limerick before that is pretty solid. In Excelis Deo was talented but frustrating for Harry Fry but he’s down to a nice mark and this is his second run for Bolger.

A Dream To Share won the Champion Bumper back in 2023 but hasn’t been the same horse since following up at Punchestown a month or so later. He won a Flat race at Leopardstown last month and this sort of test should suit the seven-year-old.

Trainer - Jessica Harrington

Jessica Harrington probably hasn’t had the best of seasons by her own exceptional standards, but confidence will be high after a couple of Galway winners earlier this week.

Nod Of Approval was beaten by a smart prospect on debut and should take a significant step forward in the first race on the card. The form has worked out rather well and there have already been a couple of subsequent winners coming out of the race. Mo Ghille Mar goes in the valuable Guinness Handicap and she returned to winning ways with a commanding success at Down Royal recently. She’s up 8lb, but could well run another big race if in similar form.

Vega’s Muse has been second the last twice and is entitled to run well again, while Taipan is likely to be well suited by his task.

Jockey - Dylan Browne McMonagle

Dylan Browne McMonagle might ride Beset in the Guinness Handicap, if a spot opens up. Her excellent run at the Curragh last time out suggests she has every chance.

The consistent Jannah Star will surely be getting off the mark soon and she’s the one to beat in the maiden at 7.10. Second in her last two, this is a good opportunity to go one better. Spanish Temptress (7.40) was a winner last time out and Richard O’Brien’s three-year-old could follow up off a 9lb higher mark.

He rides Bunting for Willie Mullins in the penultimate race and Glenroyal for regular boss Joseph O’Brien in the finale.