Mullins aims three at the Galway Plate

It’s the third day of the Galway Festival, and Ireland’s top racehorse trainer Willie Mullins’ horses have been out in force already this week, and today is no different.

With five runners due to perform this evening, we’ve looked into their form and today’s chances ahead of their races.

Read on for a preview of Willie Mullins’ Wednesday runners at Galway Racecourse, courtesy of Betano, who offer all the latest horse racing betting.

There are two runners from Mullins’ Closutton base in the first race of the evening; the two and three quarter mile maiden hurdle (5.05); Hipop De Loire and Gorvitho. The former began his racing career on the Flat in Poland and has made a good start in Ireland, placing at this track on his hurdle debut, and has run well in two starts on the Flat since. Back over hurdles today, and significantly up in trip, he is the yard’s first string, ridden by Paul Townend, and mustn’t be taken lightly. While the longer trip is an unknown, he clearly has talent and the yard’s belief.

In the same race, Gorvitho - who runs in the same colours as Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs - arrives having been rather disappointing on his seasonal reappearance at Tipperary, when he finished 12th of 15 when favourite. A much better run from November last year suggests that he is better than that, though, and he might be benefitted by the better ground we have today and the longer trip, so is entitled to improve.

Willie Mullins has a trio of runners in the prestigious and valuable Galway Plate, a Grade Three Handicap Chase over two and three quarter miles (6.40); Olympic Man, Adamantly Chosen and Zenta. 

Danny Mullins rides Olympic Man - another in the Galopin Des Champs colours - having won on the gelding in March at Naas. This horse’s stamina is more than well enough proven for this race, and the fact that he won over a lesser trip in March tells us that he has the speed to win this today. He could prove to be well treated having come down a few pounds in the handicap and ought to be a major player.

Adamantly Chosen is ridden by stable jockey Paul Townend, a factor which can never be ignored, but this gelding is inconsistent. Eight pounds below his last winning mark now, his spring form doesn’t promise much, however he has been freshened up for this and has some good form on firmer going from a few years ago, and he might be up to outrunning his odds here. We know he can stay the trip, but he has tended to need a run to get going in the past.

Owned by JP McManus, Zenta, the mare - ridden by Aidan Kelly - has also proven to be a little inconsistent over fences. She won over the larger obstacles in February in testing ground, so has the capability, but her most recent performance - which saw her beaten 50 lengths on good ground at Roscommon - suggests that soft going might be what she needs. On her day, she is a high class mare, but appears unlikely to be at her best today, unless Galway receives rain ahead of racing.