Galway Festival Day 5 Friday (31st July 2026)

Joe’s best horse racing betting tips for Galway Festival Day 5 Friday (Friday 31st July 2026)

I think it’s safe to say this is definitely the toughest looking day so far at the Galway Festival this week. It is hard to be overly confident about anything but sometimes having that cautious approach can help discover some real gems at nice prices so fingers crossed for a big day.

The Guinness Handicap over a mile and a half is the feature with some €65K on the line. It has attracted a big field with eighteen runners heading to post and there are plenty in with a shout. I have previewed every single race on Day 5 of the Galway Festival so lets keep the winners coming.

Quick Galway Festival day 5 (Friday, July 31) tips

• 5.00 Otherworldly – 6/4 with Paddy Power
• 5.30 Vicar Street – Evens with Betfred NAP
• 6.00 Antrim Coast – 7/1 each way with Spreadex
• 6.35 Thread Of Gold – 3/1 with BoyleSports NEXT BEST
• 7.10 Cosmetic – 5/2 with BetVictor
• 7.40 Love Orchid – 7/1 each way with Paddy Power
• 8.10 Lady Plimsoll – 9/1 each way with Paddy Power
• 8.40 Uxmal – Evens with Paddy Power

Joe’s win double: VICAR STREET and THREAD OF GOLD at 7/1 with bet365

Joe’s best horse racing betting tips for Galway Festival day 5

Find my top tips for Friday 31st July 2026 racing with odds from the best horse racing bookies below:

Galway 5.00 James’s Gate Irish EBF Median Auction Maiden (2YO only) 7f

I know OTHERWORLDLY wasn’t at his best when down the field at the Curragh when last seen but that was a Group 3 so it was a tough ask. His debut run where he got within half a length of victory was promising and back in a maiden he looks to have a good chance.

Joga Bonito ran well at Down Royal last month and that form looks decent enough so he is the obvious danger. Ischgl was highly tried in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot last month and will find this easier but will probably bump into an improver or two.

Bet on OTHERWORLDLY to win at 6/4 with Paddy Power

Galway 5.30 Guinness Beginners Chase (5YO plus) 2m61/2f

I thought VICAR STREET was given a tentative ride on chase debut at Punchestown when last seen.

They probably had this race in mind for him and with that experience under his belt now he looks a great bet to come out on top here under Harry Cobden. He is completely unexposed having only had four starts so his best days are definitely still ahead.

Stablemate Ocastle Des Mottes is probably the danger despite pulling up at Punchestown. These are calmer waters and he still has more to offer over fences but his jumping will need to improve.

Talk In The Park also pulled up when last seen at Roscommon but again would have a squeak if bouncing back.

Bet on VICAR STREET to win at evens with Betfred

Galway 6.00 Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase (4YO plus) 2m61/2f

Henry de Bromhead has done well in this race down the years and has won it in recent times with Gabbys Cross and Toss Again. He has ANTRIM COAST this time around who looks to have solid claims. He was only sixth at Wexford but was given a lot to do in that and this step up in trip will help. The form is solid and if they go hard it could set up for him.

Where’s My Jet jumped poorly when last seen at Roscommon and shouldn’t be judged too harshly on that. He probably has a bit in hand off this mark so with Townend on he can run well and will prove popular in the betting. Jalila Moriviere was knocking on the door when last seen and is another one with lively claims.

Bet on ANTRIM COAST each way at 7/1 with Spreadex

Galway 6.35 Guinness Handicap (Premier Handicap) (3YO plus) 1m4f

There is a nice pot on the line for this Premier Handicap and I make THREAD OF GOLD a standout for Willie Mullins.

This 3yo was beaten a length at Listowel on return and then improved to win readily at Leopardstown last time. The way he hit the line that day he should relish this trip and the form definitely has substance as the runner-up Diego El Queso looked a bit unlucky at Glorious Goodwood earlier in the week.

In terms of a danger Port Of Spain ran well at Newbury on reappearance and then had excuses blowing out in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot last month. If he bounces back he could surprise a few and go close and might be worth an each way saver.

Mr Vettori is still lightly raced and while he isn’t the most straightforward he could get involved if things drop right.

Bet on THREAD OF GOLD to win at 3/1 with BoyleSports

Galway 7.10 Guinness Irish EBF Fillies Maiden (3YO plus) 1m4f

I know COSMETIC has had a few chances already but she hasn’t done a great deal wrong and again ran right up to form beaten just a length at Fairyhouse last time. She probably lacks gears but is a definite grinder so should have more to come over a mile and a half and has found a good opportunity here.

Porters Corner was a good third on debut at the Curragh and with natural progression should make a race of it with the favourite.

Camelot filly Zadawa caught the eye on debut and stepped forward again to go down just a couple of lengths at the Curragh last month. If she improves again she could run well as her form looks quite strong too.

Bet on COSMETIC to win at 5/2 with BetVictor

Galway 7.40 Arthur Guinness Handicap (3YO only) 1m1/2f

This is arguably the toughest race of the day but I do like LOVE ORCHID at an each way price. This filly by Saxon Warrior has been dropping in the weights and she showed much more beaten three lengths at Killarney last time. If she builds on that again back in a handicap she has the potential to surprise a few.

At a bigger price Snaafy looks one of the main dangers. He was only beaten a length at Pontefract on return looking a bit rusty so if coming forward for the run looks a big player in an open race. Aquilla Star was only denied a neck last time out so is another one with form claims.

Bet on LOVE ORCHID each way at 7/1 with Paddy Power

Galway 8.10 Hop House 13 Handicap (3YO plus) 1m6f

A lot like the last race this is pretty impossible but I can see LADY PLIMSOLL running well. She has been knocking on the door somewhat the last twice and as long as she doesn’t need the run as she is back form a layoff then she is handicapped to get involved here.

Quiz Test ran well at Gowran finishing fourth and again backed that up when third at Limerick. Another performance like that would see him hit the frame but he is definitely vulnerable from a win point of view. Cooley’s Mist won with a bit to spare at Leopardstown and that form has been boosted so he is another one in with a strong chance.

Bet on LADY PLIMSOLL each way at 9/1 with Paddy Power

Galway 8.40 Rockshore Refreshingly Irish Race (4YO plus) 1m6f

Time for the lucky last and while I don’t love the price of UXMAL I do think he is just about the one to beat. It is a trappy race but he does have the best form and shaped like he’d improve again beaten four lengths on return at Limerick last month. This might not take a great deal of winning so I think he can justify favouritism.

Galileo Dame is expected to reverse form with Teed Up on much better terms and emerge as the danger. Taipan would have a squeak if bouncing back but he probably arrives with enough to prove. The rest just don’t look good enough.

Bet on UXMAL to win at evens with Paddy Power

My top tip for day 5 of the Galway Festival

Like I’ve said already it is a really tricky day but my best two would definitely be VICAR STREET in the Beginners Chase doubled with THREAD OF GOLD who looks to have been targeted at this Premier Handicap. The double pays 7/1 which is good value in my book.

Bet a Win Double on VICAR STREET and THREAD OF GOLD 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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