Galway Races day 1 recap as Patrick Mullins wins the big race

The 2022 Galway Races kicked off on Monday evening with seven races taking place at Ballybrit. The feature race on the opening day is the Connacht Hotel Handicap for amateur riders. It was won by Patrick Mullins for the 16th time. Crowds are back to full capacity at the meeting for first time since 2019.

There were seven races on Monday. The winner was Galmont.com & Galwaybayhotel. com Novice Hurdle (4 years old).

Royal Eagle 18/1 won the Easyfix Handicap Hurdle (4yo+ 80-109) at 5.40 pm. Patrick Mullins won a big race.

Patrick Mullins won the big race. Darkened 12/1 won.

Patrick Mullins wins the big race. Pivotal Trigger 2/1 won the Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap (4yo+ 70-100).

Patrick Mullins won the big race.

Jessica Harrington and Shane Foley won three prizes on Day One of the 2022 Galway Races. Patrick Mullins won the big race.

Patrick Mullins won the big race. The last race of the day is the Monami Construction Flat Race at 8.20. Patrick rides Bukhill in this bumper.

Patrick Mullins won the big race. Comman Practice went off favourite.

Patrick Mullins wins the big race. They are going behind for the second last race of the day. It's the Eventus Handicap over one mile and four furlongs.

Patrick Mullins wins the big race. Dairerin wins a messy race and Jessica Harrington and Shane Foley win the Claytonhotelgalway.ie Handicap.

Patrick Mullins wins the big race.

Patrick Mullins won the big race. Next up is the Claytonhotelgalway.ie Handicap at 7.15. Band Width is favourite for this handicap on the flat.

Patrick Mullins won the big race. Echoes In Rain won a feature race of the day.

Echoes In Rain wins the Connacht Hotel Handicap. It's the 16th time lucky for Patrick Mullins.

Patrick Mullins wins the big race. They are off for the Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap. Lynwood Gold is slowly away at the start.

The big race of the day is taking place in the stalls. Echoes in Rain is the current 3/1 favourite. Farout is next in at 9/2.

Patrick Mullins won the big race of the day. Next up is the Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap with a prize fund of €110,000. Patrick rides Echoes In Rain for his father Willie.

Patrick Mullins wins the big race. Pivotal Trigger wins maiden.

Patrick Mullins wins the big race. Pivotal Trigger wins from the front in the hands of Shane Foley.

Patrick Mullins won the big race. Pivotal Trigger came second and Tiverton came third.

Patrick Mullins won the big race. Next up is the Claregalwayhotel.ie Irish EBF (C & G) Maiden at 6.10. Dermot Weld will run the favourite Tiverton in this one.

Ladbrokes and Wendy Louise Designs have collaborated to create a hat inspired by the Galway Races. Nina Carberry is an ambassador for Ladbroke and she wears the hat today. Galways is back to full capacity and 250,000 horseracing fans are expected to attend the festival. The Tote Gal Way Plate is expected. Cape Gentleman is early favourite among punters. It's been two years since Galaways had the typical Ballybrit crowds.

Patrick Mullins won the big race. Darkened won a thrilling second race trained and ridden by Denis Hogan.

Patrick Mullins won the big race. Golf Marin has gone off the favourite.

Patrick Mullins won the big race. Next up is the Easyfix Handicap Hurdle at 5.40. JP McManus-owned Golf Marin is 11/4 favourite. John Walsh's Delightfantastic is improving.

Patrick Mullins won the big race at the Galway Races.

Royal Eagle wins the TheGalmont.com & Galwaybayhotel. com Novice Hurdle.

Patrick Mullins won the big race. HMS Seahorse is the hot favourite for the TheGalmont.com & Galwaybayhotel. com Novice Hurdle.