There are reports that hundreds of Child of Prague statues have been spotted all over Galway ahead of the seven-day racing festival which starts on Monday, 31 July.

A freakishly wet July will have spooked officials at Ballybrit who would normally be expecting 130,000 racegoers to pass through the turnstiles during the week. Crowds of between 15,000 and 20,000 people are guaranteed each day whatever the weather, but a sunny day can add another 5,000-plus to the gate.

Cost-of-living

Last year the total attendance dropped by around 10% on pre-pandemic figures, due mainly to a cluttered post-COVID social calendar, cost-of-living fears and general belt-tightening as the war in Ukraine dominated the news headlines.

In the meantime, hotel prices have continued to soar, which will encourage more people to make day-trips to the races rather than stay over.

Tickets are generally €25 per day if bought in advance or €30 at the gate. It’s good value for eight races and plenty of live entertainment scattered around the enclosures too.

At the time of writing, the ground at Galway was definitely on the soft side and the forecast is unsettled, so we can reasonably expect the going to be ‘easy’ when racing starts.

The big talking point on the track will be the attempt by Hewick to win the Galway Plate for a second time on Wednesday. Famously bought for just €850, Hewick was memorably recorded celebrating last year’s Plate win in a pub in Leighlinbridge, where he is trained by Shark Hanlon, one of the most popular characters on the Irish racing scene.

Since then Hewick has won the American Grand National and, as a result, he is 12lb higher in the weights this year, so it won’t be easy. His fan club won’t be put off, however, especially if Rachael Blackmore is booked for the ride, as seems likely.

On Thursday the 11-year-old Tudor City will be trying to win the Galway Hurdle for a third time, having won it in 2019 and 2022. Tony Martin’s charge appears to be in fine form again this year and might well reach the frame once more.

Galway feature tips

MONDAY

Connacht Hotel QR Handicap: Teed Up (Emmet Mullins), En Or (Tony Mullins), Weston (Gordon Elliott).

TUESDAY

Colm Quinn BWM Galway Mile: Chazzesmee (Fozzy Stack), Fort Vega (Sheila Lavery), Dunum (Natalia Lupini), Joe Masseria (Noel Meade).

WEDNESDAY

Tote Galway Plate: Hollow Games (Gordon Elliott), Enniskerry (Barry O’Connell), Gevrey (Gordon Elliott).

THURSDAY

Guinness Galway Hurdle: My Mate Mozzie (Gavin Cromwell), Jesse Evans (Noel Meade), Filey Bay (Emmet Mullins), Bialystock (Willie Mullins)