The Galway Festival gets underway today and Michael Mulvany’s Rave N Contagion is our bet on day one.

The son of Raven’s Pass had some good maiden form to his name last term, notably when third in a very warm contest at Naas in November behind Taipan.

He ran well when third over an inadequate 6f at Sligo in May and though not at his best on his next two starts, he has had a wind op and six weeks off since, so he arrives here a fresh horse.  His yard is in excellent nick and they have won two of the past three renewals of this, so this has likely been the plan for some time.

4.40pm Galway – 1pt win, 0.5pt place Rave N Contagion @ 20-1 4 places (though 5 places with Betfair, 4 places with Paddypower, otherwise 16-1 5 places with Skybet, 4 places with William Hill)