Galway Festival Tips: Elliott outsider could reward in big race on day three

Elliott has serious chances of Plate success

A red-hot edition of the Galway Plate is a race to savour at 18:45 and with a maximum field of 22, it goes without saying, we'll need a bit of luck to go close to winning.

Leading trainer at the meeting for the past two seasons Willie Mullins has an ultra-strong hand. Did you expect anything less? He is looking to plunder the first prize with an army of six - and I think Easy Game looks the best of his chances at around 10.09/1.

He has a bit of speed for a horse over this trip, which is always a good thing to take a position at Galway. He holds outstanding claims from his second to Faugheen in the Flogas last winter, but he does have a negative with an unseat next to his name from his run in the RSA.

Even a mention of that run with a switch to handicap company from 154 will attract a few in.

*Alan's original pick of Galvin is now a non-runner. Betfair Sportsbook is refunding all antepost bets.

I'd like to keep The Storyteller onside at a big price 23.022/1 on the Exchange.

I backed him at Cheltenham for the Pertemps - only for him to get nabbed by his stablemate Sire Du Berlais, in true Sire Du Berlais style. It was a brilliant run though over 3m, and he's got a nice combination of stamina and speed with the way he travels.

I'd be staggered if you couldn't get a decent trade out of his price, so I don't expect that 23.022/1 to last long.

He looks the type of horse that will enjoy being buried up the inside and played late, so it's a big moment for 5lb claiming jockey Sean O'Keeffe. With graded form over the fences, he looks one for the Place market too.

Here's hoping for success for the trainer, and you can click here to read his thoughts about his chances.

Expect much better from De Bromhead's chaser

I fancied the chances of Jan Maat on his return at Killarney in a good handicap last time, and despite being well backed, he ran a shocker. The 7yo likes to dominate and make the running, and it was clear early that he wasn't happy. Whether it was the fact he couldn't press on alone I don't know, but the ground looked to be riding quite soft. Interestingly, Timeform gave the description as good to soft rather than officially good.

Or he could have needed the run after Cheltenham? With all those factors to consider for the Killarney effort, it's worth giving him another chance in what looks a competitive, but not unobtainable prize.

I'd love to see him bounce out and jump from the front. He is unchanged from his mark of 137, and as a Grade 3 winning novice, I'd be disappointed if he couldn't put that Killarney run behind him.

Click here for Kevin Blake's course guide to Galway