1.55 BoyleSports Best Odds Guaranteed Maiden Hurdle 2m 1f

His string haven’t been on fire this week, but Willie Mullins could start the weekend with a bang if Hipop De Loire can make a winning stable/hurdles debut here. A listed winner over a mile and six furlongs in Germany, he hasn’t run for 279 days but that is not always a concern with runners representing the champion trainer. The fact Paul Townend has sided with him over Jackfinbar is an obvious plus too.

Jasko Des Dames comes with some risk attached after finding little for pressure when down the field in a valuable handicap hurdle at the Punchestown Festival when last seen but he will appreciate the rain that fell here on Friday and could be a different proposition down in class now in a maiden hurdle.

SELECTION: HIPOP DE LOIRE

Next best: Jasko Des Dames

2.30 BoyleSports Handicap Hurdle (Listed) 2m 6f 108yds

So Scottish gets his first taste of Galway for a trainer well used to winners around here and he rates a fascinating contender now upped to one of the longest trips he’s ever tried. He’s generally consistent and will likely appreciate the slower ground than last time at Bellewstown. He’s been a little frustrating to follow but has enough form to suggest he’s capable of being bang there off a mark of 129 if all falls right.

Comfort Zone, also owned by J.P. McManus, is another who has appealed for some time as a big-handicap winner in waiting. He mightn’t want to see conditions turn overly testing but represents the in-form Joseph O’Brien team and gets first-time cheekpieces. Zeeband is no back number for Paul Gilligan, while Toto Too is also worthy of shortlist inclusion.

SELECTION: SO SCOTTISH

Next best: Comfort Zone

3.05 BoyleSports Money Back If 2nd To SP Fav Irish EBF Maiden 1m 73yds

Half of this six-runner field have yet to run, so there is some guesswork required. That said, Puppet Master ought to be hard to beat with natural improvement from what he showed on debut at Killarney when second. He wasn’t the stable’s first string according to the market on that occasion but showed a fair deal of ability in defeat.

Starry Desert was fourth on that occasion and has two and a half lengths to find with Puppet Master. Jessica Harrington has been having a good week with her runners here and this colt has the benefit of two runs. Newcomers Delta, Tennessee Stud and You Are Mine all have a chance of being useful on paper.

SELECTION: PUPPET MASTER

Next best: Starry Desert

3.40 Bathshack Maiden 1m 73yds

Provided he comes here in top form after a break of 118 days since his debut, a layoff that is slightly concerning, Thequietman makes plenty of appeal for the in-form Joseph O’Brien. On his first start at Leopardstown, he got within a length and a quarter of one who has subsequently been placed in two Group 3s, while the fourth has gone on to win a maiden. He should be good enough to win one of these and can cope with an ease in the ground.

Vadali, tried in a first-time hood, has been running with promise in maidens and brings a useful level of experience to the table. Newtown Duke and Flying Bay are other dangers.

SELECTION: THEQUIETMAN

Next best: Vadali

4.15 Whiriskey Refrigeration Irish EBF Nursery Handicap 7f

A low draw in stall two looks ideal for Elzem, one who likes to race handily and represents Joseph O’Brien, who won the only other nursery run in Ireland this season with a top-weight. This Listowel winner and Naas second also must give weight to all rivals and the step up to seven furlongs is an unknown. He might be just the type to prove effective around here, though.

It shouldn’t be forgotten, however, that Lady O had Elzem’s measure when they clashed on soft ground at Roscommon over seven and a half furlongs in May. She’s also 6lb better off now and gets the first-time cheekpieces applied, so she might end up being the value pick, for all that Elzem has obvious claims. Gangsta Man has been gelded since last seen and could run well at a price.

SELECTION: ELZEM

Next best: Lady O

4.50 Ardilaun Hotel Handicap 7f

A winner here on Tuesday, Clear Quartz clearly loves Galway. His form figures at this venue read 314021, and he seems pretty versatile in terms of ground. Mark Fahey’s admirable sort is due to go up 9lb for his win earlier in the week but turns out under a 7lb penalty, so is technically 2lb well in. He hasn’t got a great draw again, set to start from stall 13, and maybe a mile suits him better than seven furlongs, but he has plenty going for him and can play a leading role when in such good form.

Plenty hold chances here. Eddie G would look a lively player if getting in as a reserve, Dragon Of Malta will appreciate any rain that falls, Imposing Supreme wasn’t beaten far here behind Reidh on Tuesday and Mile End could be coming down to a competitive mark. She has a decent draw to work with and has headgear reapplied.

SELECTION: CLEAR QUARTZ

Next best: Mile End

5.25 McDonogh Capital Investments Handicap 1m 4f

It’s a slight concern that he has been doing the bulk of his winning on better ground but Sixpack looks a handicapper on the up and must be a big player while still able to compete in a race of this level. He bumped into the smart Extensio last time when seeking a third win on the bounce and has been very consistent. The application of blinkers for the first time ought to do him no harm either.

Napper Tandy hasn’t run on the flat since September 2022 so is an unknown quantity of sorts off a mark of 80, but he ran respectably enough here earlier in the week when third to ready winner Gale Mahler and has form over this type of trip on easy ground. Matthew Smith’s joint top-weight should be in the mix, while it will be interesting to see if others who have run here earlier in the week line up, including Toll Stone (due to run in the 8.40 last night).

SELECTION: SIXPACK

Next best: Napper Tandy

5.55 Salthill Hotel Irish EBF Mares Flat Race 2m

In the week that Willie Mullins and the Hammer and Trowel Syndicate announced that they had sadly lost Facile Vega, it would be fitting if his three-parts-sister Cameletta Vega could make a winning debut for the same connections. She’s clearly bred in the purple, being out of the mighty Quevega, and her trainer has issued a positive update about her progress at home.

In an open affair away from the likely favourite, Clever Minded is one who will be worth keeping an eye on for Philip Dempsey. The five-year-old fetched €110,000 as a store and is out of a half-sister to Master Minded.

SELECTION: CAMLETTA VEGA

Next best: Clever Minded