It’s Day Four of the Galway Races and after a thrilling day yesterday, there’s plenty more excitement on the cards as Ladies’ Day gets underway at Ballybrit.

Royal Rendezvous took home the famous Galway Plate yesterday afternoon – taking an early lead and holding on to win by a length from stablemate Easy Game.

It is the second plate for trainer Willie Mullins with jockey Paul Townend in the saddle.

Alex Walsh enters the Ballybrit Racecourse with friends on the fifth day of the 150th Galway Races, 03-08-2019. Image: Skye McKee/Zuma Press/PA Images

The big race today is the Galway hurdle and, while Mullins looks to hold a strong hand again, there’s a host of horses in with a shout.

Betway Ambassador and former jockey Katie Walsh is one of the lucky few to be watching live at Ballybrit and, after picking a winner and a place yesterday, she is back with her top tips for today.

Novice Hurdle (16:35)

In the opening race of the day, Katie is siding with third-favourite Carrarea - currently sitting at 4-1.

“He was unbeaten in two starts before this and I think he’ll continue on his upward curve in this competitive race,” she said.

Beginner’s Chase (17:10)

This one is all about the favourite Bleu Berry who should be tough be beat today.

Novice Chase (17:45)

Katie is keen on Gin on Lime in this Grade Three battle – noting that the five-year-old is a “savage jumper and is unbeaten in her last three starts.”

“I love the way she goes about things,” she said. “She just wants to get on with it. This is a step up in grade, but she’s the one they all have to beat.”

Galway Hurdle (18:15)

In the main race Katie has plumped for second-favourite Belfast Banter.

She said the Peter Fahey-trained gelding was “class” in the Country Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival before backing that up at the Top Novices Hurdle at Aintree.

“He’s clearly still improving, and it’d be great for Peter Fahey to win a race as big as this,” she said.

Novice Hurdle (19:15)

M C Muldoon is another who should take all of the beating in the 19:15 – with “plenty of big days ahead of him over both codes.”

Royal Rendezvous and Paul Townend after winning the Tote Galway Plate during day three of the Galway Races, 28-07-2021. image: Niall Carson/PA Wire/PA Images

We’re less than half-way through the seven-day festival with plenty of action to come over the weekend.

Katie said there has been a real buzz around Galway the past few days – with 1,000 fans in back in the stands after last year’s festival was held behind closed doors.

“You can really feel the atmosphere,” she said. “They have kept everybody as close as they can within COVID restrictions – within the one area if you know what I mean.

“There are nice covered areas; there are benches, loads of choices for food, there is a band – you know I can’t remember the last time I heard a band – and then you have the racing on top of it.

“So, this year compared to last year, it has really felt like Galway. Even though we are down 25,000 or 30,000 people it felt like an atmosphere.”

With all to race for in the coming days, you can pick up €30 in free bets if you sign up to Betway today.