Although the field isn’t final, the Galway Plate is sure to be competitive with some leading English trainers involved. Paul Nicholls, Nigel Twiston-Davies, David Pipe and Ian Williams all have entries in the race. Of the four, Nihcolls is the only trainer to win the Blue Riband race with Oslot in 2008. This year, he will be looking for the steady six-year-old Five Dream to take the crown. Twiston-Davies is turning some heads with Grand Slam Hero, last week’s winner of the Summer Plate at Market Rasen. His odds are getting shorter as he has consistently raced well lately, including a win at the Cheltenham Gold Cup and other events last season. Leading the odds is the Dermot Weld-trained Majestic Concorde. The horse won the Galway Handicap in 2008 and finished fourth in the Chester Cup in May. Weld has a good record at Galway so there is no reason to think he can’t take it.

Galway Plate Outright Odds (provided by Ladbrokes)

Majestic Concorde: 5/1

Nedzers Return: 10/1

Themoonandsixpence: 10/1

Bobs Pride: 12/1

Five Dream: 12/1

Grand Slam Hero: 12/1

Northern Alliance: 12/1

The Fonze: 12/1

Cuan Na Grai: 14/1

The Last Derby: 14/1

We should see plenty of action in the Galway Hurdle as well a better quality field than year’s past. Overturn, trained by Donald McCain, and Dirar, trained by Gordon Elliot, are the expected leaders. Overturn won the Northumberland Plate at the end of June and the Grade 2, Scottish Champion Hurdle in April. If he runs like he did in those premier races, he shouldn’t have a problem. Dirar has won his last three starts in quality races of his own. But, he doesn’t look to add up to Overturn in this one.

Galway Hurdle Outright Odds (provided by Ladbrokes)

Overturn: 5/1

Dirar: 8/1

New Phase: 8/1

Bahrain Storm: 10/1

Luska Lad: 10/1

Gimlis Rock: 12/1

Alpine Eagle: 14/1

Alpine Glade: 14/1

Deutschland: 14/1

Jigalo: 14/1

Slieveardagh: 14/1