Thursday at Ballybrit brings one of the most eagerly anticipated races of the Irish summer – the Galway Hurdle – a fiercely competitive Grade A handicap that routinely draws a deep, classy field. With big names, clever plots, and the ever-unpredictable Galway ground in play, it’s a day where shrewd punters can find real value. This isn’t just any hurdle race, it’s a tactical minefield over 2 miles and is run at a relentless pace often won by horses with a touch of class and a well-executed plan. The Galway Hurdle has been a springboard for future stars and a playground for seasoned campaigners, and this year’s renewal looks no different.But it’s not all about the feature – the supporting card is typically stacked with tricky handicaps, unexposed types lurking in novice contests, and the odd Willie Mullins hotpot to puzzle over. Whether you’re hunting each-way angles or hoping to land a big-priced winner, Thursday is a punter’s playground. I’ll break down the key contenders, highlight some value plays across the card, and dig into any market movers as they come. Let’s dive into the day’s action and see if we can unearth a few gems at Ballybrit.Top Galway Festival 2025 offerGalway Festival day 4 (Thursday) tips2.10 Westport Cove 13/82.45 Genuine Article 13/2 each way3.20 Fiery Lucy 11/8 NEXT BEST3.55 Gavoo 6/54.30 Jalila Moriviere 9/1 each way5.05 Cameletta Vega 11/8 NAP5.40 Positive Energy 7/1 each way6.10 Welonlyhavedone 9/4*odds from bet365 are predicted and subject to changeJoe’s best horse racing betting tips for the Galway Festival on ThursdayFind my top tips for today’s Galway racing with odds from the best horse racing bookies below:2.10 Guinness Open Gate Brewery Novice Chase (Grade 3) 2m2fTrends8 of the last 12 winners were aged between 6 and 88 of the last 12 winners were favourites or joint favourites9 of the last 12 winners won on their last run before2 of the last 12 winners were rated 135 or higherI had a good look at the trends before getting stuck into this and it is interesting to see that favourites have done well over the years. WESTPORT COVE is being well backed for Mullins and Townend and given the way he won at Ballinrobe when last seen perhaps it is easy to see why. His jumping is a real asset when he is in a nice rhythm and as long as he isn’t taken on too much for the lead I can see him going off the front here and being hard to peg back. This is competitive but the yard have won 2 of the last 5 renewals and he could take a lot of stopping.Plenty of dangers though likely headed by Gale Mahler who won readily at Uttoxeter on penultimate start before going down narrowly last month. She won at this track over hurdles last year and looks sure to give her running again. Special Cadeau also jumps off the page having bumped into Nurburgring on return. He actually beat the selection at Thurles at the start of the year so he definitely enters calculations. Bet on WESTPORT COVE to win at 13/8 with bet365 2.45 Rockshore Refreshingly Irish Handicap (4YO plus) 1m1/2fI found this race really tough to try and work out. I had 4 that made my shortlist and the one I came down on was GENUINE ARTICLE at a nice each way price. This 5yo was well backed at Naas last time before finishing third. The step back up to a mile is definitely in his favour and he could build on that last run and get seriously competitive.Bravo Zulu has won 4 of his last 6 and arrives on a hat-trick so definitely looks one of the dangers. Sea Eagle shaped like he needed the run when sixth at the Curragh and freshened up since could also be a player in this. Bet on GENUINE ARTICLE each way at 13/2 with bet365 3.20 Arthur Guinness Irish EBF Corrib Fillies Stakes (Fillies’ & Mares’ Listed) 7fI know FIERY LUCY is a short price for a filly that has only won once but however you break this down she is definitely the most likely winner. She has been running well all season and got within half a length of victory at Killarney last time. The winner Red Letter is a decent type so even a repeat of that would likely make her tough to beat. The race is cutting up and I expect her to get the job done.Murkala went off too hard when fourth at the Curragh last month and in a first-time hood if settling better could be dangerous. Shiota ran well behind the selection last time and will enjoy the ground so is another one likely to be bang there. Bet on FIERY LUCY to win at 5/4 with bet365 3.55 Guinness Irish EBF Nursery Handicap (2YO only) 7fAnother case of there being a short priced favourite but GAVOO is hard to get away from. This colt looked good winning at Listowel on just his second start and then was pitched in at the deep end finishing nearer last than first in the Coventry behind Gstaad. He didn’t get the clearest run through when third at the Curragh last time and I think he is better than he showed that day anyway. If bouncing back I’d be confident he can reverse form with Which Wolf Wins and come out on top here.The latter ran well at the Curragh and is bred to get 7f so should run well again and is the danger. Nakamura could also show up better with first-time cheekpieces applied here. Bet on GAVOO to win at 6/5 with bet365 4.30 Guinness Hurdle Handicap (Grade 3) 2mTrends8 of the last 12 winners were aged between 5 and 72 of the last 12 winners were favourites or joint favourites9 of the last 12 winners carried 11 stone 5lb or less11 of the last 12 winners were rated between 135 and 146The Galway Hurdle is often won by a horse at a big price so I’ve tried hard to look away from the top of the market. Obviously Puturhandstogether has obvious claims for Joseph O’Brien who won this last year but I wanted to see more when only sixth at Tipperary last time. I prefer JALILA MORIVIERE for Willie Mullins. They have won 3 of the last 5 renewals and this mare comes out well on the trends. She is carrying a nice weight and is very much unexposed. I thought she impressed winning readily at Limerick – form of which has worked out well since – and then improved in defeat when fourth at Punchestown. She has more to come and at the price is definitely worth chancing.With 19 horses heading to post there are obviously quite a few dangers. Ndaawi did catch my eye as well and ran a massive race when last seen chasing home Kargese at the Cheltenham Festival. He has quite a big weight as a result though so this will take a big performance. Dysart Enos needs the ground to stay dry but if it does she is another one who could land a blow here. Bet on JALILA MORIVERE each way at 9/1 with bet365 5.05 Guinness Novice Hurdle (4YO plus) 2m41/2fEmily Love is a decent yardstick so for CAMELETTA VEGA to slam her by 5 and a half lengths at Cork when last seen was quite impressive. This Camelot filly is completely unexposed and up slightly in trip again she definitely looks the one to beat. I loved the way she travelled the last day and with quite a bit of pace on here this could pan out perfectly.Strong Link looks a nice type himself and eyeing up a hat-trick could give her most to think about. I Am River looked good winning at Kilbeggan and was well backed too so is another one I expect to be on the premises in the closing stages. Bet on CAMELETTA VEGA to win at 11/8 with bet365 5.40 Guinness 0.0 Handicap (3YO plus) 1m4fGlenroyal didn’t get the best luck in-running when beaten 4 lengths into third at Tipperary last time. That being said he looks to have been a bit overbet here and I’ve decided to oppose with POSITIVE ENERGY. The latter just bumped into one when second at Ballinrobe last month and the front pair came well clear from the third. He is steadily progressive and should run a big race.Of the rest Eagles Dream has run well the last twice and definitely appeals from an each way perspective. Tassarolo has won 2 of his last 3 and is another one who could have a say if giving his best. Bet on POSITIVE ENERGY each way at 7/1 with bet365 6.10 Guinness Time Flat Race (5YO plus) 2m2fNot a great deal to go on here but WELONLYHAVEDONE could be decent value to try and get this favourite beat. He looked good winning a point to point at Liscarroll back in March. He has since joined a top yard in Gavin Cromwell and he might be more forward than the jolly.Wartime Leader finished second on debut in a bumper at Naas but inexperience clearly cost him that day. Now with Mullins he should improve plenty and should run well. Parnell Street shaped well at Fairyhouse and the form is solid so he is another one entitled to run well. Bet on WELONLYHAVEDONE to win at 9/4 with bet365 My top tip for Thursday’s racing at the Galway FestivalHard to oppose FIERY LUCY off the back of that close-up second to a nice type at Killarney. Even a repeat of that might see her come out on top against these. CAMELETTA VEGA looks on a steep upward curve and with more to come over this sort of trip I fully expect her to follow up. Bet a Win Double on FIERY LUCY and CAMELETTA VEGA at 4/1 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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