2026 Galway Plate Tips - Two selections for Wednesday's feature at Galway

Jon Vine

Editor

Last updated: Tue 28 Jul 2026 13:54

Jon Vine 1 hour ago

Share this article

Odds and betting predictions for the 2026 Galway Plate
This lucrative handicap chase will be run at the Galway Festival on Wednesday 29th July
Nowwhatdoyouthink and Gorgeous Tom feature in our tips

Irish horse racing. (Getty)

While the eyes of British fans will be fixed on Glorious Goodwood next week, Irish eyes look towards Galway, as their popular summer Festival gets underway on Monday. The feature race during this seven-day meeting is the Galway Plate, a handicap chase that has been won by legends like Tipperary Boy and Derrinstown during its 150-year history.

Here's our guide to the 2026 Galway Plate, including our best betting tips.

2026 Galway Plate Odds

Name	Odds
Funiculi Funicula	11/2
Nowwhatdoyouthink	17/2
Will The Wise	17/2
Downmexicoway	10/1
Ballygunner Castle	12/1
Rockys Diamond	12/1
Bar	16/1

2026 Galway Plate Tip 1 - Nowwhatdoyouthink

Gordon Elliott loves the Galway Plate. He's saddled the winner of this race five times in the last ten years, and NOWWHATDOYOUTHINK (17/2) was bought with this race in mind.

Elliott's recruit did well for Ray Hackett last season, winning on his second start over fences at Cork. Nowwhatdoyouthink then returned to Cork to land the Grade Three Bar One Novice Chase in April, before running a stormer in Grade One company at the Punchestown Festival, finishing third behind his new stablemate, Western Fold.

Jack Kennedy has opted to ride Nowwhatdoyouthink over Elliott's other runners, and this handicap mark of 142 looks lenient. Nowwhatdoyouthink has done all of his winning around right-handed tracks, and he seems to be at his most comfortable on decent ground.

2026 Galway Plate Tip 2 - Gorgeous Tom

I'm also going to take a chance on GORGEOUS TOM (16/1), who was last seen running in the Grand National at Aintree. Henry De Bromhead's eight-year-old was badly hampered on a couple of occasions, but still managed to complete the course, crossing the line 42 lengths behind I Am Maximus in 12th.

Gorgeous Tom has never seemed like a dour stayer to me. Henry De Bromhead's star has claimed both of his victories over fences at around two and a half miles, and although he has managed to finish fourth in both the Brown Advisory and the Coral Gold Cup, he's never looked quite as effective over those longer distances.

De Bromhead's eight-year-old enjoys decent ground, and this intermediate trip should suit him perfectly. Patrick O'Brien takes a valuable 5lb off Gorgeous Tom's back, and I expect him to run well carrying just 11-3.

Verdict

2026 Galway Plate

Nowwhatdoyouthink and Gorgeous Tom are our two selections for the 2026 Galway Plate.

Nowwhatdoyouthink

2026 Galway Plate Tips

@17/2 - 5 Units

Bet £10 Get £40

in free bets

18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. 18+. T&Cs apply.

Bet at BOYLE Sports

Gorgeous Tom E/W

2026 Galway Plate Tips

@16/1 - 5 Units

Bet £20 Get £10

Use promo code NEWBONUS

18+ New customers only. Bet £20 (or more) EVS (2.0) or greater Get 2 x £5 Free Bets. 1 x £5 Free Bet paid automatically & following £5 Free Bet after 24hrs. Min Free Bet odds 4/1 (5.0) on accumulators Trebles & upwards. Expires after 24hrs. Full T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org

Bet at Star Sports