There’s a hugely competitive renewal of the 2024 Galway Plate taking place on Wednesday 31st July and it looks a devilishly difficult puzzle for punters heading to Ireland for the Ballybrit showpiece.
One of the summer jumping highlights, the Galway Plate will attract a bumper field and one of those sitting towards the head of the betting is Gavin Cromwell’s Perceval Legallois, who was last seen finishing second in a Listed chase at the Punchestown Festival back in May. Likely to be one of several JP McManus-owned contenders, this seven-year-old is around the 8/1 mark for the Galway Plate, which just highlights how open a betting heat it is.
Challenging the Cromwell charge for favouritism is another that will carry the green and gold silks of McManus and that’s In Excelsis Deo, who was last seen storming to an emphatic victory in the Silver Trophy Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in April and that contender is another available at 8/1 in the latest betting for the 2m 6f 111y contest.
Henry De Bromhead last trained the winner of the Galway Plate back in 2017 with Balko Des Flos, but he could have a notable contender in this year’s race in the shape of Lets Go Champ, who is a 10/1 chance, and is another that was last seen winning at the Punchestown Festival and the nine-year-old looks another that would relish the test of this event.
Fifth in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown at the end of the National Hunt season, Amirite could be another that takes his chance for the De Bromhead team and is another available at 10/1, while Willie Mullins has earmarked the interesting Mister Policeman for this event and the Closutton inmate is another around the 10/1 mark. Billed as a potential star for the Mullins yard, the team have already voiced their disappointment over his performances last season, so he’s a fascinating contender.
Gordon Elliott’s Ash Tree Meadow will have the burden of top weight, but is certainly one of the classiest horses in the race and at 20/1 could catch some eyes for the each-way value, while Tullybeg, Saint Roi and Zanahiyr are all in the top half of the betting and will be huge players, if they take their chance in the contest.
2024 Galway Plate Odds
| Horse | Trainer | Best Odds |
| Perceval Legallois | Gavin Cromwell | 8/1 |
| In Excelsis Deo | Harry Fry | 8/1 |
| Lets Go Champ | Henry De Bromhead | 10/1 |
| Amirite | Henry De Bromhead | 10/1 |
| Mister Policeman | Willie Mullins | 10/1 |
| Horantzu D’airy | Willie Mullins | 10/1 |
| Saint Roi | Willie Mullins | 14/1 |
| Zanahiyr | Gordon Elliott | 14/1 |
| BAR 16/1 |