Colm Quinn BMW sponsors the night’s feature, the Colm Quinn BMW Mile Handicap at 6.45pm, along with three other races.

Kennedy’s choices

Lizzie Twigg, a former bumper winner and unbeaten in two hurdles’ starts, contests the opening Listed Colm Quinn BMW Novice Hurdle at 4.40pm. The daughter of Poet’s Word is the choice of jockey Jack Kennedy, who could have chosen the other Gordon Elliott chance, Porcupine Bank, who is two wins from three runs over the smaller obstacles. Sam Ewing takes the mount on the bay Order Of St George gelding instead.

Henry de Bromhead’s Gomez Addams, a course winner, and a Listowel hurdles’ victor, is likely to be involved in the business end of the race, as should the Willie Mullins-handled Magico, whose run in Punchestown the last day when finishing last of five, is not a true reflection of the Le Havre gelding’s ability.

My Great Mate, who Patrick Mullins has talked up prior to Galway, runs in the Latin Quarter Beginners Chase at 5.10pm. Despite a somewhat inconsistent record of only two wins from six hurdle starts, Paul Townend sticks with the Jukebox Jury seven-year-old, despite being beaten in this race in 2025. He has been out of action since last September, which might be a slight concern.

The 147-rated hurdler, Bowensonfire, represents Gordon Elliott’s Cullentra House team. A five-time career winner, who is ground versatile, ran most recently over hurdles at Limerick in June. He will be ridden by Jack Kennedy, who had a choice of three horses in the race.

Colm Quinn BMW Mile Handicap is night’s feature

The day two highlight, the Colm Quinn BMW Mile Handicap (Premier Handicap) sees last year’s winner Dunum return for more. The Natalia Luipini eight-year-old, was also third in another handicap at the Galway Races last season and seems to enjoy the track. Billy Lee, who had an impressive win on Trean for Billy Twomey last night, will be hoping for further success in this €120,000 race.

Mick Mulvaney, whose horses have been in great form recently, trains Ribee, a course and distance winner last year. The four-year-old son of Ribchester last contested a Listed race an Leopardstown, and the drop in standard tonight should be to his liking.

Dylan Browne McMonagle, a winner on Monday night, partners Joseph O’Brien’s Hardy Warrior, who will wear cheekpieces. O’Brien, who competed a double yesterday, had this chestnut colt competing in a Group 3 at ParisLongchamp back in April, meaning the three-year-old is clearly well-thought of.

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Carrying the colours of J.P. McManus, the Derek O’Connor-ridden seven-year-old hadn’t performed in the race last season, but produced a battling display on Monday evening.

Dublin handler Bill Durkan provided both the runner-up Holy See (40/1) and the fourth-place finisher Eagle Fang (13/2). The former, who had won at Gowran on his penultimate outing, was three-quarters-of-a-length behind the winner.

Galway specialist Teed Up (14/1), who has won four flat races and two hurdles contests at the Ballybrit venue was third, a half-length ahead of Eagle Fang in fourth.

O’Brien double

O’Brien quickly doubled up in the following race when Dylan Browne McMonagle guided the 13/8 favourite Dancing Saxon to a four-and-a-quarter length success. The bay daughter of Saxon Warrior, who was 16lbs well in after a Listed win at Naas in June, never looked in danger when heads turned for home in the straight.

Expert Dancer and Sam Coen (11/1) gave trainer Andy Slattery the runner-up spot, while Motta Alta (13/2) was third for yesterday’s German Group 1-winning combination of Shane Foley and Jessica Harrington.

Witches Familiar wins Novice Hurdle

As expected the two powerhouses of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliot were to the fore in the opening Galmont Hotel & Galway Bay Hotel Novice Hurdle – the opener of the 2026 Galway Races Summer Festival.

It was the former, with his French import Witches Familiar (13/8 favourite), who took the 5.10pm race as the Ballinrobe maiden hurdle conqueror in May ran out a ready eight-and-a-half length winner in the hands of Paul Townend.

An impressive victory for Witches Familiar in the @Galway_Races Summer Festival @TheGalmont opener@PTownend | @WillieMullinsNH pic.twitter.com/LW7R2Ms506

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 27, 2026

Another French-bred, Mino Des Mottes (8/1), from the Elliot yard, and ridden by Jack Kennedy, was runner-up, and Arouet (7/1), with Daniel King in the saddle, competed a trifecta for horses bred in France, coming home four-and-three-quarter lengths further back.

Timurshah completes hat-trick

Aidan Melia’s son of Mastercraftsman, Timurshah (12/1), completed a hat-trick of wins when taking the Easyfix Iggy Daly Handicap Hurdle. Ridden by seven-pound claimer Conor Smithers, the five-year-old, who had won this season at Clonmel and Sligo, had six-and-a-half lengths to spare over Whats New (10/1) and Darragh O’Keeffe at the line. Soldante (15/2) and Eoghan Finegan were three-and-three-quarter lengths behind the Andy Slattery-handled Soldier’s Call gelding.

Trean (11/4), in the colours of the Red Lily Racing Syndicate, ran out a four-and-three-quarter length victor in the Eventus Irish EBF (C&G) Maiden for Billy Lee and Paddy Twomey.

A disappointing tenth of 12 runners behind Abraham Lincoln on Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Weekend at The Curragh, the juvenile son of Ballylinch Stud’s Bayside Boy was prominent behind the pacesetter, City Of Gold (7/1), throughout, before scooting clear prior to the final bend. The Wayne Lordan-ridden City Of Gold, from Ballydoyle, was second, with another Aidan O’Brien inmate HMAS Perth (12/1) third. The Joseph O’Brien-handled favourite, One Number (5/2), disappointed to finish back in fifth place.

Following in the footsteps of Constitution River…

Trean (Bayside Boy) sheds his maiden tag comfortably under Billy Lee for @ptwomeyracing @IrishEBF_ | @Galway_Races pic.twitter.com/LiFb1vBSMz

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 27, 2026

Colin Keane, fresh from his victory aboard Kalpana in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on Saturday, took the Grá Chocolates Handicap for three-year-olds with Noel Meade’s Madbadanddangerous (11/2). The winner had a neck to spare over the Billy Lee-ridden Sharkeyboy (7/1), with race favourite Vantage Code (100/30) and Wayne Lordan next home.

The finale, the Ray Dooley Monami Construction Flat Race was won by Jim Bolger’s Teofil, who stayed on well under pressure to score by a neck at 7/2 from Which Flannerys (3/1), with Gordon Elliott’s Primer Contender (15/2) taking third.

“By this time next year you might be talking about the Arc…”

Great insight from Jim Bolger on his @Galway_Races bumper winner Teofil and exciting filly Sparan Nua pic.twitter.com/arC4K0wZjV

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 27, 2026

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De Bromhead will be represented by three horses in the 14-runner field over 3 miles and one furlong for Kilbeggan’s seasonal highlight, sponsored by Kilmurray’s Homevalue Hardware in Mullingar.

The 2025 winner of the Listed contest, Amirite, will carry top weight of 11-12 in a race that he was also runner-up in back in 2024. Five-pound claimer Paddy O’Brien will ride the 10-year-old on Friday evening.

Recent McHale Mayo National winner, Native Speaker, will have the assistance of de Bromhead’s stable jockey Darragh O’Keeffe as bids to add a second summer National to his resumé.

Raglan Road, a winner of two of his last three races, is the final Knockeen Stables’ inmate, and will have the assistance of J.P. McManus’ retained rider Harry Cobden in the saddle.

Mullins yet to win Midlands National

Champion jumps handler Willie Mullins will attempt to win the race for the first time since its inauguration back in 1997. The Closutton trainer will saddle both Uncle Tom, a Punchestown Festival winner, and Yoradreamer, runner-up in the three-horse Jim Ryan Memorial Novice Chase at Punchestown early last month. Paul Townend will take the mount on Uncle Tom, while Seán O’Keeffe will wear the Brookhouse colours aboard Yoradreamer.

Tipperary trainer John Ryan is responsible for four of the horses contesting the Midlands National, with seven-time winner and €5,000 purchase Drumgill likely to be his best chance of landing the €100,000 race. The Templemore handler has an impressive recent record at Kilbeggan, having had two winners and two seconds from just six runners at June’s meeting.

Enda Bolger’s runner Pride Of Place was successful in the Tote Killarney National on his penultimate outing, while Boston Rover, who hasn’t run since last October, may be the strongest of the Gordon Elliott trio to face the starter.

The first of seven races will start at 4.50pm. The Kilmurray Group Midlands National goes to post at 6.32pm

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Trained by Willie Mullins and carrying the Rich Ricci colours the daughter of Zarak took the four-year-old hurdle over 2m 3f and 85 yards at the Parisian track.

Runner-up in the Grade 1 Boodles Hurdle at Aintree on 9 April last, Lisgoold-born Townend kept the French-bred wide throughout the journey as he sought slightly better ground at the rain-soaked track.

What a performance!

SELMA DE VARY wins the Grade 1 Prix Alain du Breil!

A fourth win in the race for @WillieMullinsNH! pic.twitter.com/0mVscFpdrI

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 17, 2026

The former Irish champion jockey made an eye-catching move down the back as he asked the filly to move towards the head of the field.

The four-year-old jumped well at the final two hurdles in the straight, and battled to the line to hold off the final challenge of eventual runner-up and joint-favourite, Delmegan, who failed by a neck at the line.

"She's learning an awful lot!"@PTownend offers his verdict on Selma De Vary's Grade 1 triumph at Auteuil… pic.twitter.com/2saRFCOKU3

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 17, 2026

Leopard Du Berlais the other 2/1 joint-favourite was third six-and-a-half lengths behind the second-placer.

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The win also completed a Grade 1 double for jockey Paul Townend and trainer Willie Mullins, the fourth winner of the day for the Closutton handler.

Queen of the two-milers

𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 is a class apart in the @Boodles Champion Hurdle.@punchestownrace pic.twitter.com/KuTdylMNws

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 1, 2026

Lossiemouth tracked the leaders throughout the two-mile championship race before taking second place on entering the home straight. As the crowd cheered from the packed Punchestown stands, the Rich Ricci-owned mare made her move.

She soon quickened away from the field before staying on impressively for a five-length victory over the 2025 Cheltenham Champion Hurdler Golden Ace (11/1), with Lorcan Williams in the saddle.

”She has it all.”

Paul Townend gives us his verdict on another special performance from Lossiemouth pic.twitter.com/CWJTa9CHE5

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 1, 2026

Wilful, trained in England by Jonjo and A.J. O’Neill, who had lead or disputed the lead in the earlier stages of the race, kept on one-paced for third, eight lengths behind the runner-up.

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Competing in the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle, the Audrey and Greg Turley-owned grey was the first part of a Grade 1 double on the day for trainer Willie Mullins and stable jockey Paul Townend.

CLINGS ON

Turners Novices’ Hurdle winner King Rasko Grey scrapes home from the fast-finishing Lord Byron in the Grade 1 Champion Novice Hurdle @punchestownrace. @WillieMullinsNH | @PTownend pic.twitter.com/9HfEidpfwS

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 1, 2026

The French-bred six-year-old gelding held off the late challenge of British-trained Lord Byron as the Faye Bramley-handled son of Camelot continued to close the gap with the line approaching.

As they hit the winning post, King Rasko Grey had a head advantage over the Harry Cobden-ridden four-year-old.

Kiely’s Place (10/1), also representing the winning handler, took third under the trainer’s son, Patrick.

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The 11-year-old son of Sholokhov delighted the thousands who descended on the County Kildare venue on Thursday as he claimed his 11 career success over jumps.

Bob Olinger lands the @Ladbrokes Champion Stayers' Hurdle pic.twitter.com/n3ATPJ6cSU

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 30, 2026

Ridden by jockeys’ title-chasing Darragh O’Keeffe, who rode a treble on the third day of the Festival to reduce the deficit between championship leader Jack Kennedy and himself to three, rode in the Robcour colours aboard Bob Olinger.

The Henry de Bromhead star received a tremendous reception from the crowd when he entered the winner’s enclosure a lap of the parade ring to applause from the crowd.

"He read the script."

Bob Olinger bows out with victory at Punchestown. Lovely stuff with owner @BrianAcheson pic.twitter.com/zmkOvsFgD4

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 30, 2026

Jimmy Du Seuil (9/1), trained by Willie Mullins and Paul Townend, took the runner-up position, three-quarters-of-one length behind the winner.

Teahupoo, in the same ownership as the winner, but trained in County Meath by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Jack Kennedy took third, three-and-a-half lengths further back, on ground that likely wasn’t ideal for him.

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The complexion of the race changes totally at the final fence as race favourite Kopek Des Bordes (4/11f) and Paul Townend fell when it looked as though they would head for victory.

Drama! Kopek Des Bordes exits at the second-last (seems to be OK) & Salvator Mundi picks up the pieces in G1 under Harry Cobden pic.twitter.com/y421jo6dra

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 30, 2026

Cobden, who will be owner J.P. McManus’ retained jockey next season, got Salvator Mundi to rally bravely, and the Joe and Marie Donelly-owned French-bred ran out a 12-length winner over Irish Panther (15/2), who had lead the field for most of the two miles and 75 yards’ race.

“We probably got a little bit lucky.”@CobdenHarry on G1 glory for Salvator Mundi pic.twitter.com/O7fIwBvqSG

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 30, 2026

The Kieran Buckley-ridden runner-up had 30 lengths to spare over the third-placed Jacob’s Ladder (18/1) representing the Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy team.

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Winner of the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, the Willie Mullins-trained gelding became the first horse since Sizing John to complete the big National Hunt double.

Ridden towards the rear of the field for most of the race, Paul Townend was happy to allow Fact To File (13/8) and Mark Walsh set the pace.

Cheltenham hero Gaelic Warrior is majestic in the @Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup! @punchestownrace pic.twitter.com/689GGOjTSl

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 29, 2026

Grangeclare West (28/1) and 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin (8/1) disputed second and third for most of the 3 mile 213 yards race, with the Rich Ricci-owned Gaelic Warrior next, with Danny Mullins aboard Champ Kiely (33/1) in last position.

Once Townend decided to make his move, the result of the Ladbrokes Gold Cup never looked in doubt, as the Closutton inmate ran out a most impressive 26-length victor.

The J.P. McManus-owned Fact To File was runner-up, with Grangeclare West and Brian Hayes in third, 28 lengths behind the runner-up – completing a trifecta for Willie Mullins-handled horses in the five-runner contest.

"Class, wasn't he?"

You can say that again, Paul! pic.twitter.com/DC9kcyTwDB

— Punchestown (@punchestownrace) April 29, 2026

Gavin Cromwell’s Inothewayurthink, also in the McManus colours, was fourth, another 37 lengths back, with Champ Kiely failing to finish.

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Mange Tout (Gordon Elliott/Jack Kennedy, 5-1) and Selma De Vary (Willie Mullins/Paul Townend, 9-4 favourite) fought out the finish if the two miles and one furlong contest, with the former prevailing by three-quarters of a length.

Successful trainer Gordon Elliott said of his filly:

“I thought he gave her a great ride. I thought winning or the losing of the race was done from the third-, fourth-last to the turn in. Jack had to ride to settle her – she was very keen at Leopardstown and he rode her to win rather than to settle her there, and it took its toll.

“It was hard not taking her to Cheltenham, because you want as many bullets as you can have, but now Cheltenham’s over I’m glad we kept her for here. Just the flatter track would suit her and she’s just got a bit of boot. Jack said she didn’t do a stroke in front, she was very idle.

“We thought we’d have her out early in the season for Down Royal – she was very keen there, but she’s a nice mare and she’ll jump a fence as well in time. That will be her for the year now – she’s not the biggest girl in the world.”

Winning jockey Jack Kennedy told ITV Racing:

“She was good. She can overrace a little bit, but I got a bit of cover on her today.

“She was still a bit keen but not as bad. She’s a big frame of a filly – she’s not small but she’s narrow, and I’d say bypassing Cheltenham helped.”

“She’ll definitely jump a fence and she probably has a bit of filling out to do, so she can be a nice mare.”

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