John McIntyre

A total prizefund of €350,000 will be up for grabs at the Galway September meeting with the listed Ardilaun Hotel Oyster Stakes next Monday, the highlight of the three-day fixture.

Tuesday’s feature event is the Deacy Gilligan Novice Chase, while the Guinness Handicap Chase – won last year by the Thomond O’Mara trained Eagle’s Pass – dominates next Wednesday’s card.
 

Entries weren’t available at the time of going to press for the €50,000 Ardilaun Hotel Oyster Stakes, but Curragh trainer John Oxx has dominated the one and a half mile event over the years, with his eighth success coming 12 months ago with 7/2 chance Zanughan.

Track manager John Moloney reported that the ground at Ballybrit on Wednesday was ‘yielding to soft, soft in places, but was drying out all the time’.

“Apart from a band of rain which is promised on Sunday, it’s a fairly dry outlook and it would by my expectation that the ground could be good to yielding by next week.

Moloney is looking forward to the three-day meeting when there will be an all flat card on Monday, followed by exclusive National Hunt racing on the Tuesday and Wednesday.

“We had a successful summer festival considering the poor weather at times with crowds even up on two days during the week. Hopefully, some of those people will be back at Ballybrit next week.

“There is also a feel-good around with the Galway hurlers playing in the All-Ireland hurling final on Sunday and, on behalf of all involved at Galway racecourse, I would like to wish them the best of luck against Kilkenny,” said Moloney.

Admission on Monday and Tuesday is €15 per day when the action starts at 4.05pm and only €5 on Wednesday (3.55pm). Car parking for the meeting is free as are children under 14. There is a guaranteed Jackpot each day of €3,000.