2023 Galway Festival Tips on August 2nd

A capacity crowd will again gather at Galway on Wednesday, where the Galway Plate Handicap Chase headlines another excellent evening of action.

We've taken a look through the card on day three of the Galway Festival and picked out our top four betting tips.

Galway Festival 2023 Day 3 Tips

Race 1 - Download The Tote App Handicap Tips

On the back of an impressive maiden win and a strong second on her handicap debut, LAN CINNTE (11/4) was backed into favouritism for a Premier Handicap at Leopardstown. Shane Foley's mount travelled into that race nicely, but seemed to hang towards the centre of the track a couple of times down the straight and could only finish a two-and-a-quarter length fifth.

Jessica Harrington's filly boasts winning form on soft ground, which could be extremely important at Galway on Wednesday. There's plenty of reason to think that Lan Cinnte is very well-handicapped.

Race 3 - Handicap Tips

I feel bad for deserting Youcrackmeup, who I tipped at 12/1 prior to her four-length victory on day one. However, I'd rather side with one at a longer price in this staying handicap and I like the chances of BARNACULLIA (20/1), who won a novice chase here at Galway back in October.

Michael Mulvany's six-year-old has run well in three flat maidens this summer, finishing behind classy sorts like Merlin Giant, Glan and My Mate Mozzie. The handicapper has handed Barnacullia an opening flat handicap mark of 75, some 55-pounds lower than his rating over fences, and Sean Bird takes a further seven pounds off his mount's back.

Race 4 - Galway Plate Tips

With defending champion Hewick carrying top-weight off a mark of 167, the majority of the rest of the field will carry lowly weights into this year's Plate. The one I like most at the prices is THE GOFFER (14/1), who's two novice victories came over this sort of trip.

Having scored nicely at the Dublin Racing Festival, Gordon Elliott's star looked to be coming with a winning challenge in the Ultima at Cheltenham, only to get run down by Corach Rambler and a couple of stronger stayers after the last. The Goffer was last seen finishing fourth in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown off a three-pound higher mark and the extra cut in the ground at Galway will do Donagh Meyler's mount no harm at all.

Race 8 - Handicap Hurdle Tips

I'm going to take on Messrs Mullins, Elliott and De Bromhead in the card closer on day three and back the progressive THORNLEIGH FRANK (13/2). 

Mark Fahey's six-year-old swept home to make a winning handicap debut at Downpatrick in July, before following up at Kilbeggan a week later - where the favourite was left in a reluctant lead, but kicked 15 lengths clear of his rivals when joined two furlongs from home.

Thornleigh Frank steps half a mile up in trip on Wednesday, but he's by a stamina-laden sire in Yeats and he's a half-sibling to the strong-staying Equus Dancer. Mark McDonnagh takes five pounds off his back and I fancy Thornleigh Frank could make it three wins from three in handicap company.