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Galway Festival tips: Johnny Ward's best bets on day four

Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023

I like the chances of a quartet running on day four of the Galway Festival, and two of them run in the big one, the Guinness Galway Hurdle.

I think Patrick Mullins could record his third victory in the two-mile feature, and he again rides the top weight for his father, Willie. I’m also having a saver on another contender who looks to have plenty in his favour.

Be lucky.

4.35 Galway: Carrarea at a general 100-30

Finished: 5thSP: 7/4

This Notnowcato gelding looked useful when successful in both his starts in bumpers, and he probably should have beaten Ilmig at Cork but experience won the day.

He was 4-9 on that occasion but he escapes a penalty, unlike Farout, Ilmig and Zanavi. Tax For Max also escapes a penalty but with Emmet Mullins' horses in superb form, the selection must go close.

6.15 Galway: Saldier at a general 12-1 and and Magic Tricks at a general 10-1

Finished: 1stSP: 18/1

Finished: 18thSP: 7/1

Saldier has cheekpieces on here for the first time and that is almost certainly to help offset concerns that he will not be fast enough, but all the trends for him are pretty much positive.

He was a really short price when running well at Royal Ascot and is the class act in this.

Magic Tricks, a brother to high-class hurdler Abacadabras, has been aimed at this for some time, having finished second to 2020 Galway Hurdle runner-up Hearts Are Trumps in April, so is also worth siding with.

6.45 Galway: Brides Hill at a general 12-1

T: Gavin Patrick Cromwell

Finished: 2ndSP: 4/1

A fascinating runner given she surely got bogged down on the ground last time out.

She was heavily backed when touched off at Ballinrobe and she looks well-handicapped.

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