Western Fold (11/1) and Galway rider Danny Gilligan won the Tote Galway Plate on Wednesday evening.
It was a second success in the Grade 3 handicap chase for Gilligan, who previously won the race two years ago with Ash Tree Meadow.
The successful trainer Gordon Elliott was also winning the race for the second time in three years, and it is his fourth success in the Galway Races feature race since his initial victory with Lord Scoundrel in 2016.
Western Fold, winner of the Mayo National at Ballinrobe in May, battled with Jessie Evans (9/1) up the Galway hill before eventually claiming a four and a half length success over the Noel Meade inmate.
WESTERN FOLD wins the Galway Plate! 🏆@gelliott_racing 🤝 Danny Gilligan@ToteRacing | @Galway_Races pic.twitter.com/n2rfDKNo22
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 30, 2025
Shecouldbeanything (33/1) took third for Gordon Elliott, the eight-year-old mare ridden by Jordan Gainford. The daughter of Malinas was a further five and half lengths behind the runner-up.
Amirite (33/1), prominent throughout the two miles six furlongs 111 yards contest, stayed on bravely for fourth place under Darragh O’Keeffe.
Lovely scenes after the @ToteRacing Galway Plate 🤩
🤍 WESTERN 💙 FOLD ❤️@Galway_Races pic.twitter.com/euwPRiFMQt
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 30, 2025
The opening Tote €50,000 Guaranteed Placepot Tote Maiden Hurdle went to Paul Townend aboard the Willie Mullins-trainer favourite Hipop De Loire (4/9 favourite). Fourth in a listed race on the flat at Roscommon on his most recent racetrack appearance, the French-bred was narrowly denied over hurdles at Galway last season.
Hipop De Loire claims the @ToteRacing opener on Galway Plate Day! ✅ @Galway_Races @WillieMullinsNH | @PTownend pic.twitter.com/w7b3tinlL8
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 30, 2025
Bal Kauto (7/1), the reserve who got a place in the Tote Money-back Every Race Today Handicap Hurdle, was an impressive five-length winner for trainer and jockey Declan Queally.
Tough 💪
Bal Kauto stays on best of all to win the @ToteRacing Handicap Hurdle for Declan Queally @Galway_Races 🥇 pic.twitter.com/IWkVZAapna
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 30, 2025
Cleopatra’s Needle, a 22/1 shot, took the Tote €5,000 Guaranteed Jackpot Irish EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle over two miles and 110 yards. Trained by Harry Rogers in Co Louth, the seven-year-old chestnut filly won in the hands of five-pound claimer Patrick O’Brien.
Cleopatra's Needle 😍
The seven-year-old mare wins nicely at 22/1 under Paddy O'Brien for Harry Rogers in the @ToteRacing handicap @Galway_Races pic.twitter.com/UuigyU5LX2
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 30, 2025
