The 2016 festival opens as Robert Hall welcomes us to seven days of fun, frolics and excitement from Ballybrit, where racing goes back to the 18th century.

Tracy is out on track with Lorcan Wyer who is happy with the state of the going and the weather forecast - the signs are good. “When we see hoards of seagulls flying into Galway, we know we are in trouble,” says Wyer. “As of yet the gulls haven’t come inland.” The track can only take 10mls says Wyer, that would only be an appetiser for most thirsty punters!

Superb Story is favourite to bring the Guinness Galway Hurdle back to England but with Pyromaniac reinstated in the field, it’s “a headache he didn’t want,” says Tom Lee of Dan Skelton.

The Willie Mullins-trained Muthaza wins the first at 1/6. Ted remembers riding a winner in owner Joe Donnelly’s colours at Tralee. Mick O’Toole is on hand with the winner and Ted recalls another tale of riding a winner at Listowel when it was the second that had been backed and The Boiler White, none too pleased, recommended to O’Toole, “break his legs, Mick, break his legs.”

Willie Mullins comes on and puts the fear into many a trainer. “We’ll give her a break and prepare her for Cheltenham.” It’s only July!

We have #Ask Ted again in operation. Someone wants to know who Ted would vote for in the US election. “I’ll vote for Hillary. Yer man looks mad; we’ll be heading for war if he gets in.”

Shake The Bucket is a popular winner, nine years young, a family horse and winner over hurdles, fences, a point-to-point and on the flat. “This is a Madden horse all the way,” says Ted. Bred by Trish, trained by Niall Boots, ridden by Niall Slippers and owned by Sarah Ann. And Tom Socks is the work rider. Tracy has to move between Sally Ann (Grassick) and Sarah Ann. We can pick out Sarah Ann by her beaming smile. “Dad would sooner have him over all of us, Dad’s over the moon,” she says of the winner. The family connections continued as Sarah Ann says “I’m going to kill Jennifer Walsh for making me do this.”

Despite Dermot Weld talking down his chance, Right Honourable, similar in appearance and attitude to his sire Famous Name, stays on resolutely to win the maiden. Dermot says afterwards the Irish National Stud’s sire is the best value in Ireland.

#AskTed returns, Ted is asked who is the most under-rated jockey in Ireland, and goes for Ronan Whelan and Paul Townend over jumps. Questions come in on all subjects - the strangest name for a horse? “Big Tits,” remembers Ted.

Tracy interviews Davy Russell and Jim Bolger ahead of the Hurling for Cancer match in Newbridge on August 9th. Davy acknowledges that it’s Jim’s brainchild. There’ll be no Hawkeye needed in Newbridge - Colm O’Rourke and Ron Delany are umpires. Jim notes that “there’s not a family in Ireland that hasn’t been affected by cancer.’’

Gary Halpin gets another big Galway win on Spruce Meadows for Johnny Feane.

Pat Smullen joins the lads before the big race. Will he be off to Goodwood later in the week? “There’d want to be something very good in Goodwood for me not to be here.” Watching the field load for the big race, Pat and Ted bring up the need for a few more stalls handlers for big meetings like this.

Swamp Fox takes the big race for Kildare rider Barry Browne. He’s trained by Joe Murphy for Tom Egan of Horse & Jockey Hotel.

“To have a big race winner in Galway, makes life worth living,” Joe tells Tracy.

Ted later sends best wishes to John Short and J.T. McNamara. The next morning unfortunately brings the saddest news.

There’s also a tribute to Liam Healy, who passed away recently - “leaving a dynasty behind.” Robert concurs. “He’ll be enormously missed.”

On an evening when over €1 million was wagered in the ring, we end with a look forward to the Plate on Wednesday. Robert looks for the winner. “Road To Riches,” says Ted, “he’ll smother them.” Hold your breath - it’s only Monday!