This year’s Galway Summer Festival could be one of the best for a long time as we’re welcoming full crowds back. Last year, we had just 1,000 people through the gates and the year before there were no crowds. You can tell from the hotel prices locally that there is serious demand and that always makes for a great week.

DOWER HOUSE   showed up very well on her debut behind Never Ending Story, who has since won a Group 3 at Leopardstown. She has been given a good draw in stall two and that experience could give her the edge over some of the newcomers. Galway is a tough place to win first time up so the experience will count (18:10).

CRYSTAL BLACK   is my strongest pick of the day (18:40). Dermot Weld has had a really quiet time by his standards, but this horse forms part of a very strong team for him this week. Interestingly, his dam was actually second in this race a few years back. He was a good third at the Curragh on Irish Champions Weekend last year and he hasn’t been totally disgraced in two starts this season. They’ve applied the blinkers for the first time and that’s always worth noting from this yard. Lots of the main opposition are drawn high so his favourable low draw in stall six is another positive.

Karakoul looks the one to beat but was a losing favourite last time and could be worth taking on (19:15). I’ve sided with CHATTERBOX , who has been a slow learner but hasn’t been without promise. His yard does well at Galway, and he’s got the assistance of Colin Keane, who rode him last time and keeps the ride. He would be my each-way selection in the race.

If MY MINERVINA   gets a run, she’ll be interesting (19:50). The ground won’t be as quick as it was when she was withdrawn last week and that is going to be a positive. She’s on a roll at the moment, winning her last two, and if she does get a run, she’s one I’d like to keep on side.