Friday at the Galway Races is always a cracker – big crowds, buzzing atmosphere, and some seriously tricky betting heats. With the Festival in full swing, we’ve got a good read on the form and which trainers are flying, but Galway being Galway, there are always a few twists and turns in store.The Guinness Handicap is the big one, but there’s value to be found right across the card if you’re sharp. Course form, draw bias, and a bit of luck all come into play here – blink and the market moves on you. It’s a day for shrewd picks, a few each-way plays, and hopefully a pint or two to celebrate.Top Galway Festival 2025 offerGalway Festival day 5 (Friday) tips5.00 Bellamano 5/25.30 Jarrive De Mee 15/8 NAP6.00 Moonovercloon 11/2 each way6.35 Lope De Lilas 5/1 each way7.10 Jannah Star 11/87.40 Dance For Chester 5/1 each way8.10 Bunting 9/4 NEXT BEST8.40 Preparations 10/1 each way*odds from bet365 are predicted and subject to changeJoe’s best horse racing betting tips for the Galway Festival on FridayFind my top tips for today’s Galway racing with odds from the best horse racing bookies below:5.00 James’s Gate Irish EBF Median Auction Maiden (2YO only) 7fNot the easiest madden in the world to kick off Friday at the Galway Festival but BELLAMANO does look the right favourite. She was given a quiet ride on debut at Leopardstown and just looked in need of the experience. Stepped up to a mile at Killarney last month she just bumped into one on the day. With a fair bit of pace on the drop back to 7f should suit and if she improves again as expected she will go close.Nazario is the one being backed and he showed promise when runner-up on debut at Down Royal. That form has been boosted so if he comes forward he could threaten most here. Bet on BELLAMANO to win at 5/2 with bet365 5.30 Guinness Beginners Chase (5YO plus) 2m61/2fMullins and Townend teamed up to win this race last year with Pink In The Park. They have the well touted JARRIVE DE MEE this year and this 6yo could take a lot of beating. He won his first 3 starts over hurdles before improving again in defeat when fourth to Jasmin De Vaux at Punchestown. He was quite keen the last day but now sent chasing if he settles off the front I don’t think they’ll see which way he goes. Confidence definitely seems to be building surrounding his chance so snap up the 15/8 on offer.Uncle Pat is a stablemate to the selection and could make it a 1-2 for the yard. He shaped with plenty of promise on chase debut at Roscommon and with natural improvement will run well. Bet on JARRIVE DE MEE to win at 15/8 with bet365 6.00 Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase (4YO plus) 2m61/2fIn these big handicaps I do try and look away from the top of the market but MOONOVERCLOON has the perfect profile for this. He was given too much to do when third in the Midlands National at Kilbeggan last month, doing all his best work late. That form has already been well advertised and left off an unchanged mark he can put right last years agonising defeat (second by a nose).Cave Court was also given a mountain to climb when runner-up at Cartmel last time. He is still lightly raced for his age and if building on that could be the main threat to the selection. Bet on MOONOVERCLOON each way at 11/2 with bet365 6.35 Guinness Handicap (Premier Handicap) 1m4fWillie Mullins often targets this race having won 4 of the last 10 renewals and I’m keen to weigh in with the gamble on LOPE DE LILAS here. This 4yo filly by Lope De Vega was denied a run when down the field at the Curragh last time and had been shaping well prior to that blip. She is obviously unexposed over this trip and with the market so keen on her improvement does look likely now.Acapulco Bay is a tough colt who has run to a consistent level of form this season. He didn’t do much wrong beaten just over 2 lengths at Gowran last month and is a player off the back of that. Cheeky Wink back in a handicap is also noted. Bet on LOPE DE LILAS each way at 5/1 with bet365 7.10 Guinness Irish EBF Fillies Maiden (3YO plus) 1m4fAnother maiden where I wouldn’t have an overly strong opinion but JANNAH STAR could take a bit of beating. Joseph O’Brien has won 2 of the last 5 runnings of this race and this Sea The Stars filly was beaten less than 2 lengths at Bellewstown last month. She can do better again and this lacks strength in depth so no surprise to see her a short enough price.Camelot filly Onaqui clearly needed the experience when midfield on debut at Naas but she could leave that bare form behind and might be the one to chase the favourite home and finish second. Bet on JANNAH STAR to win at 11/8 with bet365 7.40 Arthur Guinness Handicap (3YO only) 1m1/2fThere seems to be quite a few gambles going on in this race and one of them is DANCE FOR CHESTER who I think will run a big race. The penny has really dropped for him of late winning his last two and I liked the way he did it on stable debut at Gowran when last seen. He showed a good attitude and has likely been targeted at this since. He has more to come stretching back out to a mile and clearly has plenty going for him.Vega’s Muse continues to knock on the door denied just a neck at Leopardstown last month. She definitely has more to offer and looks the danger but her price reflects that. If Chica Guerrera is fit she might represent a bit of each way value and could be worth a saver. Bet on DANCE FOR CHESTER each way at 5/1 with bet365 8.10 Rockshore Refreshingly Irish Race (4YO plus) 1m6fAnother race at Galway where Willie Mullins does really well having taken 4 of the last 10 renewals. BUNTING struggled on a fast surface at Sandown when last seen but we know he wants cut in the ground and if he gets the right conditions he is more than capable. The drop back in trip in an easier surface looks perfect and with the jockey riding the crest of a wave I can’t say I’m surprised to see this horse at the top of the betting. I fancy him strongly to justify favouritism.Taipan won this race last year and despite finishing down the field at the Curragh when last seen is definitely still a danger to all in this. He isn’t getting any younger but shouldn’t be easily dismissed. Bet on BUNTING to win at 9/4 with bet365 8.40 Hop House 13 Handicap (3YO plus) 1m6fGlenroyal is turned out quickly after that success yesterday but I thought he had quite a hard race and up in trip he might just prove vulnerable. I have chanced PREPARATIONS at a much bigger price as she has bounced back to form the last twice and could be ready to peak again now.Of the rest Empress Alma hasn’t been too far away and could be in the mix and Miss Gitana is another one who is expected to get competitive at least in an open race to close out. Bet on PREPARATIONS each way at 10/1 with bet365 My top tip for Friday’s racing at the Galway FestivalConfidence seems to be gathering momentum behind JARRIVE DE MEE on chase debut and I’m hopeful he can make a winning start for a yard that target the race. BUNTING also represents Mullins in the stayers race and with the ground perfect he could be ready to show his best. Bet a Win Double on JARRIVE DE MEE and BUNTING at 8/1 with bet365 About the authorJoe NorrisI’m Joe Norris, co-founder and Director of GetYourTipsOut (GYTO), which I launched in 2009 to provide daily sports betting tips, with the main focus on horse racing. Over the years, I’ve earned a reputation for offering reliable and profitable tips, which led to being named “Best Sports Betting Tipster” in 2023. Alongside my work at GYTO, I also contribute predictions to platforms like Oddschecker, allowing me to share my insights with a wide community of sports enthusiasts and bettors.Find Joe on X: @JoeNorrisGYTOCommercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. 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