GORDON Elliott sent out his first winner 20 years ago this summer and, in that time, he has saddled 27 total winners at the Galway Festival. It goes to show what a rip-roaring success last year’s meeting was for the Cullentra handler that nearly one fifth of those entire victories (five) came in 2025 - a spectacular Plate-Hurdle double headling a Festival five-timer for the yard.

The stars aligned out west 12 months ago and another sizeable attack is being launched from Co Meath on Ballybrit’s two crown jewels again next week. Wednesday’s Tote Galway Plate and Thursday’s Guinness Galway Hurdle represent significant early-season targets for the 116-time Grade 1-winning trainer. Ante-post markets have Elliott currently responsible for the joint-favourite in the Hurdle, and the joint-second-favourite for the Plate.