Galway Festival 2025 Day One betting tips

There is something in the air in Galway today – a fizz of excitement, a touch of mischief, and that unmistakable festival buzz that rolls in like the tide.

As the crowds pour onto the cobbled streets, laughter rings out, glasses clink, and the energy builds by the minute. Monday at the Galway Festival proves it’s not easing into the week gently. It’s bursting straight into the heart of the action!

By afternoon, the city is in full tilt. Everyone turns their eyes to Ballybrit. Whether you’re trackside in your finest or watching from a packed pub, the racing always takes centre stage. For one glorious week, Galway doesn’t just host the festival – it becomes it.

Top Galway Festival 2025 offer

Galway Festival Day 1 (Monday) tips

• 5.10 Mick Collins 8/1 each way
• 5.40 Rakki 9/4
• 6.10 Masaban 15/8 W/O
• 6.40 Comfort Zone 13/2 each way
• 7.15 Honeysuckle Rose 11/2 each way
• 7.50 Desmond Castle 8/1 each way
• 8.20 Faith Of Empires 11/4

*odds from bet365 are predicted and subject to change

Joe’s best horse racing betting tips for the Galway Festival on Monday

Galway 5.10 Galway Bay Hotel & The Galmont Hotel Novice Hurdle (4YO only) (2m1/2f)

Willie Mullins has won 2 of the 5 renewals of this race so I do expect the well bred Davy Crockett to take a lot of beating but his price is somewhat unbackable. Farout who won this back in 2021 is actually his half-brother so it may well be a good start for favourite backers but for me MICK COLLINS looks too big to leave alone at 8/1. He just made too many mistakes when beaten under a penalty at Bellewstown but that form is decent and he looked good at Punchestown prior to that. He is a decent yardstick and I expect him to run very well at a price.

Of the rest Ephesus shouldn’t be completely ignored. He unseated when held at Punchestown but this is definitely calmer waters and he could bounce back with a big run. A Snow White Park is unexposed and is another one who could improve enough to land a blow.

Bet on MICK COLLINS each way at 8/1 with bet365

Galway 5.40 Iggy Daly Easyfix Handicap Hurdle (4YO plus) (2m1/2f)

I know favourites don’t have the best record in this but after much deliberation I can’t get away from RAKKI now with Willie Mullins. He was down the field when last seen on the Flat for Alan King but looked unfit that day. He returns here off what looks a good mark and with Paul Townend booked and this better ground definitely in his favour he could go close in an open race as they are likely to have got him fit to target this race.

Prove Yourself has held his form well in defeat since winning at Tramore and it really wouldn’t surprise to see him emerge as the biggest danger. From an each way perspective Paul Collins knocked on the door at Kilbeggan and again could acquit himself well here perhaps without getting seriously competitive.

Bet on RAKKI to win at 9/4 with bet365

Galway 6.10 Eventus Irish EBF Maiden (2YO only) (7f)

I was at Newmarket when Constitution River was denied just a short head and that was a huge run. He is sure to improve from that initial experience and should get the job done against these. Obviously at the price he is hard to back so MASABAN looks the one to be on without the favourite at around 15/8. Dermot Weld has won this plenty of times down the years and in recent times with the likes of True Solitaire, Right Honourable and back in 2020 with Blue For You. This flashy chestnut by Siyouni certainly looks the part on paper being a half-brother to Masoun and despite a wide draw should run a big race.

Spangled Sands represents Joseph O’Brien and he cost €130,000 so shouldn’t be overlooked. He is a full-brother to Symbolize and the yard are going great guns so he shouldn’t be overlooked. Daary represents Jessica Harrington but he’ll probably want further in time and might come on for the experience.

Bet on MASABAN without the favourite at 15/8 with bet365

Galway 6.40 Connacht Hotel Handicap (4YO plus) (2m1f)

It is crazy to think COMFORT ZONE is still just a 6yo as it feels like he has been around for a while. He is one of those horses you would just love to own! He did struggle at the Cheltenham Festival but was back to form when ninth at Punchestown and then back on the Flat ran a huge race to finish third at Royal Ascot behind Ascending. That form gives him a massive shout in this and off just a 1lb higher mark should get involved. He has run at this track twice in the past finishing fourth as a 3yo and then third behind The Wallpark last year so we know it suits.

Obviously plenty of dangers likely headed by Toll Stone who should go off favourite. He was second to the selection at Naas last year and just 3lb higher here back on the Flat should be primed to go close. Too Bossy For Us went close at the Curragh and is still unexposed so should also be bang there.

Bet on COMFORT ZONE each way at 13/2 with bet365

Galway 7.15 Clayton Hotel Galway Handicap (3YO only) (7f)

Bated Breath filly HONEYSUCKLE ROSE could easily improve bundles here. She was beaten less than 3 lengths at Gowran last month and I thought she ran as if they had this in mind that day, tentatively handled in the closing stages. This faster ground should prove ideal and I’ll be amazed if she isn’t well handicapped off this mark. There is a lot of pace on from the likes of Ze Do Asfalto and Gangsta Man and if they go hard that will only play to her strengths as she should be hitting the line hard.

Highbury See See won well at Gowran and looks the danger but has somewhat shown his hand already and is up 9lb. Aviatrice is likeable and shaped well in defeat at Leopardstown so could be another danger.

Bet on HONEYSUCKLE ROSE each way at 11/2 with bet365

Galway 7.50 Gra Chocolates Handicap (3YO only) (1m41/2f)

Trainer Joseph O’Brien has won this in recent years with the likes of Motherland and Flying Scotsman and he has a few decent chances this time around. I have a feeling it might be the bigger price of the four that takes it in DESMOND CASTLE. He looked unlucky when third at Limerick last time beaten just a couple of lengths. He was held up and was hampered before being denied a run at a crucial stage. He finished with running left and up in trip again if he gets a clear passage through he should go close.

Stablemate Bear Creek impressed bolting up at Down Royal but he has been slammed by the handicapper so this will be tougher. Fortuna Vera bumped into one last time and has the form to be a big player. Starford also represents the yard and is another one with obvious claims.

Bet on DESMOND CASTLE each way at 8/1 with bet365

Galway 8.20 Monami Construction Flat Race (4YO only) 2m1/2f

I rarely ever bet in bumpers so no strong opinion in the lucky last sadly but FAITH OF EMPIRES looks better value than the jolly at the time of writing. The stable often target these types of races and he looks a likely type having cost nearly €40,000.

Coutach has the benefit of experience but was beaten nearly 8 lengths on debut at Punchestown so will likely need to improve again.

Bet on FAITH OF EMPIRES to win at 11/4 with bet365

My top tip for Monday’s racing at the Galway Festival 2025

Lots of each way value on the opening day of the Galway Festival and I have decided to back two in an each way double. HONEYSUCKLE ROSE looks primed to run a big race and the price is right and DESMOND CASTLE seems to have gone under the radar in a race that Joseph O’Brien has clearly targeted down the years.

Bet an Each Way Double on HONEYSUCKLE ROSE and DESMOND CASTLE at 50/1 with bet365

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