Templegate’s Galway Hurdle tip, runner-by-runner guide and 1-2-3 prediction

28 July 2026; Runners and riders in action during the COLM QUINN BMW Novice Hurdle during day two of the Galway Races Summer Festival at Ballybrit Racecourse in Galway. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile Credit: Sportsfile TEMPLEGATE goes through every single runner for the always eventful Galway Hurdle below. He rates every horse from one (worst) to five (best) and reveals his pick and 1-2-3 prediction. Gordon Elliott has his eyes on the prize in the Galway Hurdle Credit: PA The big race is live on Racing TV at 4.30pm on Thursday. Back any horse you fancy simply by clicking their odds. Templegate’s Galway Hurdle runner-by-runner guide SOLNESS 3 SOL singer. Grade 1 chaser reverts to hurdles from an attractive mark after a Flat prep run. Class gives him claims but consistency remains the concern. CASHELDALE LAD 4 GOOD Lad. Progressive last season, strong Galway form and a valuable 5lb claim enhance his chance. Return to this venue could easily see him involved again. NDAAWI 4 Most read in Horse Racing HERE Wi go. Defending champion thrives here and arrives after a confidence-boosting Flat win. Higher mark demands more but course record commands plenty of respect. EL CAIROS 5 EL of a bet. Supreme form reads well, first-time tongue strap may help and handicap debut offers scope. Still looks capable of better than his current mark. LAAFI 4 LAAF raises a smile. Excellent British handicap efforts make him a major player. He’s crept up the weights but will enjoy this challenge. PUTURHANDSTOGETHER 3 HANDS on. High-class ability is there but recent displays have been below his best. Dangerous if bouncing back for powerful connections. TOUNSIVATOR 3 ON the Toun. Excellent course record and encouraging Flat efforts suggest he’s thriving. Strong pace should suit, although this remains his toughest test for a while. MURCIA 4 MUR to come. Useful mare with consistent recent hurdle form. Return to 2m suits and Townend’s pick of the Willie Mullins runners. TOO BOSSY FOR US 3 TOO much. Bit unlucky here on the Flat on Monday and the fast pace could help. Needs to rediscover peak hurdle form. HELVIC DREAM 3 DREAM on. Last year’s first past the post has struggled since but Galway clearly suits. Dangerous if rediscovering his old spark. STARTING FIFTEEN 3 GOOD Start. Lightly raced over hurdles and handicap debut could unlock improvement. Travels strongly and this race may suit his style. GAMEBALL 4 GAME on. Progressive profile and latest second at Kilbeggan hinted he still has more to offer. Will like this trip and has every chance for Henry De Bromhead. RAGMANS CORNER 3 NOT a Rag. Loves Galway and arrives in good form after useful Flat effort. Reliable type who should give another solid account. PUTAPOUNDINTHEJAR 3 JAR may star. Bellewstown winner is thriving but faces a much stronger race from a career-high mark. Needs another personal best but from canny trainer. BEAUVALLON 2 NO Beau. Smart novice earlier this year but disappointed last time after racing keenly. Capable of better if settling more effectively but that’s not a given. SAGEBOROUGH 3 SAGE rage. Game win at Wexford last time and shapes like this trip suits. Tough race for handicap debut but could sneak a place. ROYAL HOLLOW 2 ROYAL flushed. Been running well on the level but all hurdles form has come in lesser contests than this. BARBIZON 1 BAR Bar. Promising juvenile form has not been built upon and he’s a few pounds out of the handicap here. KAI LUNG 2 KAI why. Good effort on the Flat here earlier this week but needs more on handicap hurdle debut. THISISTHEWAY 2 WAY out. Some promise at Bellewstown and should like this trip. This looks a tall order from out of the weights. Templegate’s Galway Hurdle tip and 1-2-3 prediction EL CAIROS can carry off the Galway Hurdle. Gordon Elliott’s improver was far from disgraced in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle before a puzzling run at Punchestown but that was still in Grade 1 level. Although this is a hot one, he’s dropping into his first handicap and the handicapper has been fair with a mark of 143. If you’re looking for a bigger price, stablemate Casheldale Lad was third in this last year and his latest run saw him finish third behind Lossiemouth at Leopardstown. Laafi has gone well in big handicaps and Gameball has more to come. Helvic Dream was disqualified after ‘winning’ this last year and is another to consider along with defending champ Ndaawi. 1 El Cairos2 Casheldale Lad3 Laafi FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org. 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