It has already been a great week at the Galway Festival and it is about to get even better with the Galway Plate taking centre stage on Day 3. Mullins hasn’t won the race since 2021 but has a big gamble in the race this year in the shape of Funiculi Funicula who was in winning form at Punchestown when last seen and could take a lot of stopping.
As expected there are some fiercely competitive handicaps dotted across the card and the value is definitely there if you can find it. Fingers crossed for plenty more winners!
Quick Galway Festival day 3 (Wednesday, July 29) tips
Joe’s win double: VENUSIENNE and ABBOTSFORD at 14/1 with bet365
Joe’s best horse racing betting tips for Galway Festival day 3
Find my top tips for Wednesday 29th July 2026 racing with odds from the best horse racing bookies below:
Galway 5.05 Tote Guaranteed 50K Placepot Maiden Hurdle (4YO plus) 2m6f
I know Al Arrivee is likely to be popular and he should have a good chance under Patrick Mullins but stablemate MR HOLLYWOOD might be better value. He was last seen going down just three lengths to Illinois on the Flat at Royal Ascot and back over hurdles could be ready to run a big race under Brian Hayes.
Shoda is by Nathaniel so is bred to keep improving with age and experience and shouldn’t be ruled out either. Jeroboam Machin has run well the last twice and if the ground continues to dry out that would bring him into it as well.
🏇 Bet on MR HOLLYWOOD to win at 11/4 with Paddy Power 🏇
Galway 5.35 Tote.ie Money-Back 2nd Every Race Handicap Hurdle (4YO plus) 2m6f
Hard to rule any of these out with confidence but top-weight HES DYNAMITE ran a massive race to go down just over a length on reappearance at Killarney and with that under his belt could be ready to run a massive race now. He won three times last season and looked progressive so he should have a big chance in this.
Lucy Wang is interesting on debut for her new yard but she’ll need to better than form at Cork when last seen. Back over hurdles though she is definitely more interesting than most. Tangara Bay is unexposed and was in winning form when last seen so expect her to go off favourite here on debut for Peter Fahey.
🏇 Bet on HES DYNAMITE each way at 13/2 with BoyleSports 🏇
Galway 6.05 Tote Guarantee, Never Beaten By SP Irish EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle (4YO plus) 2m1/2f
Another big field but I can see VENUSIENNE taking a lot of beating here in the JP McManus silks.
This mare by Authorized has only had a handful of starts and now sent handicapping could take her form up a few notches under Harry Cobden. This drop back to two miles looks ideal and she could be quite a nice horse going forward and likely has a fair bit in hand off this mark.
Two Pair was ridden too aggressively when disappointing at Wexford but it is still relatively early days and she shouldn’t be ignored now handicapping.
Bossy Bird was hitting top gear late on at Cork but was denied a run and looked unlucky. She has more to come and is another one to note.
🏇 Bet on VENUSIENNE To Win at 10/3 with Betfred 🏇
Galway 6.40 Tote Galway Plate (Grade 3 Handicap Chase) (Class 1) (4YO plus) 2m61/2f
Time for the Galway Plate now and it is completely understandable to see FUNICULI FUNICULA a big gamble for this race.
He relished the step back up in trip to win at Punchestown when last seen and despite an 8lb rise has more to come over fences especially as his stamina is drawn out so this extra yardage looks ideal and with Harry Cobden up again (won on him at Cork) he looks hard to get away from.
Will The Wise had been threatening to come good and won in good style at Aintree on final start last season. He has gone well fresh in the past so could go close.
Downmexicoway looks off a fair mark and if this longer trip suits is another one capable of getting involved. As always in the Galway Plate you will need a lot of luck so plenty in with chances but hopefully the favourite is a bit of a handicap blot over this trip.
🏇 Bet on FUNICULI FUNICULA each way at 11/2 with Spreadex 🏇
Galway 7.15 Visit Tote26 On Course Today (Q.R.) Maiden (3YO plus) 1m4f
It was good to see ABBOTSFORD take a big step forward from that poor debut run (slowly away) to get within a head of victory at Cork when last seen.
This son of Frankel has been put away since and there is a good chance he improves a chunk again now tackling a mile and a half here. He is a big horse who should go on progressing for a while yet.
Daddy Long Legs has been in top form this season bumping into Run For Oscar at Limerick back over hurdles last time. Back on the Flat here he has the class to go close and does look the danger.
New Bay Star will find this tougher but is going the right way and might be able to rattle the frame.
🏇 Bet on ABBOTSFORD to win at 5/2 with bet365 🏇
Galway 7.50 Tote Every Day Is A Money-Back Day Handicap (3YO only) 1m1/2f
Sea The Moon filly MOONLIT SUN caught the eye when third on debut and then improved to win at Naas last month. She definitely has more to come now handicapping and could be off a lenient mark here under Shan Foley. There is a lot of pace on and she will need to find the gaps to come through late.
God Of Power has more experience to draw upon but will need to better that form when fourth at Leopardstown last month. He did look progressive prior to that blip though. Johnny Soda is thriving and should get competitive again as well.
🏇 Bet on MOONLIT SUN Each Way at 6/1 with Paddy Power 🏇
Galway 8.20 Bet With Tote.ie On Racing & Sports Handicap (3YO plus) 2m1/2f
Time for the lucky last and it doesn’t exactly get any easier here!
Twenty-three horses heading to post and I’m hoping COCK AND BULL can run a big race for Emmet Mullins. He has top-weight but that is with good reason and he ran a big race when third at the Curragh last month. If he builds on that he will be a danger to all in this with Sam Coen great value for his 5lb claim.
Slurricane is edging back down the weights and was given a quiet ride at Limerick last month so could leave that form behind and get involved here off a good mark. Gaoth Chuil is thriving arriving on a hat-trick and looks sure to go well again but not much value in her odds.
🏇 Bet on COCK AND BULL each way at 13/2 with Coral 🏇
My top tip for day 3 of the Galway Festival
A much tougher looking day at Galway on Day 3 but VENUSIENNE could be a cut above in the handicap hurdle with Cobden up and ABBOTSFORD looks sure to go well in the maiden over a mile and a half in the Juddmonte colours.
🏇 Bet a Win Double on VENUSIENNE and ABBOTSFORD at 14/1 with bet365 🏇
About the author
Joe Norris
I’m Joe Norris, co-founder and Director of GetYourTipsOut (GYTO), which I launched in 2009 to provide daily sports betting tips, with the main focus on horse racing. Over the years, I’ve earned a reputation for offering reliable and profitable tips, which led to being named “Best Sports Betting Tipster” in 2023. Alongside my work at GYTO, I also contribute predictions to platforms like Oddschecker, allowing me to share my insights with a wide community of sports enthusiasts and bettors.
Find Joe on X: @JoeNorrisGYTO
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