Galway Festival Day 4 Thursday (30th July 2026)

Joe’s best horse racing betting tips for Galway Festival Day 4 Thursday (Thursday 30th July 2026).

The action rolls on into Day 4 of the Galway Festival! Another exciting day ahead with the Grade 3 Galway Hurdle the feature race on the card plus we have the Grade 3 Novice Chase which should be a fascinating contest to watch unfold.

Like it has been all week there is lots of value about again so hopefully I can keep digging out the winners and we can finish the week strong!

Quick Galway Festival day 4 (Thursday, July 30) tips

• 2.10 Celtic Moon – 9/4 with Paddy Power
• 2.45 Black Caviar Gold – 3/1 with Coral
• 3.20 Shadow Paddy – 7/4 NAP with BoyleSports
• 3.55 Roc Dino – 2/1 NEXT BEST with Betfred
• 4.30 El Cairos – 9/2 each way with bet365
• 5.05 Merlin The Wizard – 13/2 each way with BetVictor
• 5.40 Arch Enemy – 9/2 each way with Spreadex
• 6.12 Run Ted Run – 7/4 with Coral

Joe’s win double: SHADOW PADDY and ROC DINO at 7/1 with bet365

Joe’s best horse racing betting tips for Galway Festival day 4

Find my top tips for Thursday 30th July 2026 racing with odds from the best horse racing bookies below:

Galway 2.10 Guinness Irish EBF Nursery Handicap (2YO only) 7f

No surprise to see CELTIC MOON figure prominently in the betting for this. She improved from her debut run to win stylishly at Bellewstown last time and if she takes another step forward here dropping back down to 7f they will struggle to contain her. She looks a progressive type and is one to keep on side for now.

Bold Commander lines up for Aidan O’Brien and looks to be the biggest danger. His second to April Mist on penultimate start was a good effort so if getting back to that form he will run well here. Seven Nation Army is another one in with a squeak.

Bet on CELTIC MOON To Win at 9/4 with Paddy Power

Galway 2.45 Arthur Guinness Irish EBF Corrib Fillies Stakes (Fillies’ And Mares’ Listed) (Class 1) (3YO plus) 7f

Meriden is thriving having won her last five starts in a row and she will have her supporters again but BLACK CAVIAR GOLD could be value to turn her over. She has been highly tried all season and now dropping back to Listed level could bounce back in a big way and come out on top here. She should also love the drop back to 7f and I’m keen on her chances.

La Brodeuse is still lightly raced and wasn’t disgraced behind Circe when last seen. Freshened up she could run well and isn’t completely overlooked. Celestial Orbit is better than she showed last time and is another one to note.

Bet on BLACK CAVIAR GOLD To Win at 3/1 with Coral

Galway 3.20 Guinness Open Gate Brewery Novice Chase (Grade 3) (Class 1) (4YO plus) 2m2f

The way SHADOW PADDY won at Killarney was impressive and he is now 2-2 over fences. This is clearly tougher but he is on an upward curve and with more to come I think he looks a great bet to complete the hat-trick. His form is stacking up and I can see him proving a cut above these.

Wild Bill Hickok has won two of his last three and looks a nice horse. He has more to come over fences like the selection and I can see the pair battling it out. Le Coq Hardi also arrives in winning form and is no back number here either.

Bet on SHADOW PADDY To Win at 7/4 with BoyleSports

Galway 3.55 Guinness Novice Hurdle (4YO plus) 2m41/2f

I’m surprised ROC DINO isn’t favourite for this. The yard do well in this race and he impressed bolting up at Downpatrick on final start. He seems to be racing more professionally now and with further improvement to come they will struggle to keep tabs on him here.

Midnight Jet is progressing nicely having won his last two now and if he steps forward again he could give the selection most to think about. It looks a two-horse race but Brother Walfrid got off the mark at Punchestown and could have a bright enough future too.

Bet on ROC DINO To Win at 2/1 with Betfred

Galway 4.30 Guinness Galway Hurdle Handicap (Grade 3) (Class 1) (4YO plus) 2m

Time for the big one now and I’m keeping the faith with EL CAIROS. I know he hasn’t quite achieved the highs they were hoping with him at the big novice hurdles in the spring but there is a good chance he is well treated now pitched into handicap company and he could run a massive race under Jack Kennedy.

Murcia impressed winning at Listowel and then bumped into one at Killarney. If the drop back to two miles suits she could be the danger to the selection. Cobden rides Puturhandstogether and while he has a bit to prove at present on his best form he would be a big player here too.

Bet on EL CAIROS Each Way at 9/2 with bet365

Galway 5.05 Rockshore Refreshingly Irish Handicap (4YO plus) 1m1/2f

This quite comfortably looks the toughest race on the card and a tentative vote goes to MERLIN THE WIZARD. He was in great form prior to that blip last time and if he can bounce back he would have a lively chance in an open race.

Molto Amichi has less to prove arriving in winning form but no value in his price. Hygge might be worth an each way saver as he impressed last time and has more to give. No More Porter has returned to form and is another one who can get involved.

Bet on MERLIN THE WIZARD Each Way at 13/2 with BetVictor

Galway 5.40 Guinness 0.0 Handicap (3YO plus) 1m4f

I can see ARCH ENEMY running a big one here. She has taken her form up a few notches recently winning at Navan and then following up at Killarney last time. If she arrives in that sort of form again then she should have a great chance at a nice price.

Rodeo Blues is also on a hat-trick and did it a shade cosily at Naas so could be the danger. Faro Island was in winning form earlier in the season at Gowran and while beaten twice since could bounce back and get involved here too.

Bet on ARCH ENEMY Each Way at 9/2 with Spreadex

Galway 6.12 Guinness Time Flat Race (4YO plus) 2m2f

Those with experience haven’t achieved a great deal so RUN TED RUN could be worth chancing on debut for Mullins. He cost €45,000 and is a half-brother to Kilbarry Lilly who was useful enough. If the market speaks positively it is probably worth following.

Flashy Fred has been running to a consistent level and should give his running again here. Sir Vinny was forced wide at Bellewstown but ran well to finish second and is another one to note. Market Square would be in with a chance if managing to settle in the early stages.

Bet on RUN TED RUN To Win at 7/4 with Coral

My top tip for day 4 of the Galway Festival

I can see SHADOW PADDY landing the hat-trick over fences and I’m siding with ROC DINO to back up that Downpatrick performance and come out on top again. The double pays around 7/1 which looks decent value.

Bet a Win Double on SHADOW PADDY and ROC DINO at 7/1 with bet365

About the author

Joe Norris

I’m Joe Norris, co-founder and Director of GetYourTipsOut (GYTO), which I launched in 2009 to provide daily sports betting tips, with the main focus on horse racing. Over the years, I’ve earned a reputation for offering reliable and profitable tips, which led to being named “Best Sports Betting Tipster” in 2023. Alongside my work at GYTO, I also contribute predictions to platforms like Oddschecker, allowing me to share my insights with a wide community of sports enthusiasts and bettors.

Find Joe on X: @JoeNorrisGYTO

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