Who do the bookmakers fear at Glorious Goodwood and Galway?

Glorious Goodwood and the Galway festival always involve a close battle between punters and bookmakers and this year will be no different, with several short-priced favourites set to line up. So which runners are the bookmakers most afraid of?

'We expect him to be a short price again'

He's already favourite in the Galway Plate and The Shunter has gone off seriously short for big races this year. He was sent off at 7-2 at the Dublin Racing festival, 9-4 at the Cheltenham Festival and 3-1 at Punchestown. We expect him to be sent off at a short price again.

In the Galway Hurdle, we've seen ante-post support for Magic Tricks and if the JP McManus colours are successful in the Plate the day before, then we could see Magic Tricks going off a good bit shorter.

Magic Tricks: has been supported ahead of the Galway festivalCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

As for Goodwood, the one we fear most is Battaash in the King George Qatar Stakes. He bids to make it five straight wins at his favourite track and will be the one everyone wants to be with.
Nicola McGeady, Ladbrokes

'If all the big guns win it will be costly'

Stradivarius attempting to win a fifth Goodwood Cup is arguably the headline story at Goodwood and while many punters will be happy to forgive his apparently unlucky run at Royal Ascot, we will be happy to lay him again. Battaash and Poetic Flare are the other main players and if all three of the big guns win it will prove costly for us.

Poetic Flare: winner of the St James's Palace Stakes last monthCredit: Edward Whitaker

JP McManus is sure to be well represented in the Galway handicaps and the early signs are Winner Takes Itall will be extremely well backed if he sneaks in at the bottom of the weights in the Galway Hurdle.
Jamie McBride, William Hill

'We've seen money for Skyace'

In the Sussex Stakes, Poetic Flare has been the best backed horse on the Betfair Exchange's ante-post markets and obviously tightened up at the head of the betting following the news Palace Pier wouldn't run.

At Galway, John 'Shark' Hanlon has been telling anyone who will listen that Skyace will go well in the Galway Hurdle and we've inevitably seen money for her at 20-1. She was 14-1 on Saturday.
Barry Orr, Betfair

'You need a lot of luck in running'

The Unibet Golden Mile is always a great betting heat and there have been a few gambles. This won't be Beat Le Bon's first rodeo, having won the race in 2019, and he's been backed into 14-1 (from 33). You need a lot of luck in running so we're hopeful of a good result.

Beat Le Bon: winner of the Unibet Golden Mile in 2019Credit: Mark Cranham

The Unibet Stewards' Cup is another great betting race and we've seen strong support for First Folio, who has been backed into 7-1 (from 12). He has improved leaps and bounds for James Ferguson.
Brett Williams, Unibet

'The Shunter has been costly for us'

The obvious one at Glorious Goodwood is Battaash in the King George Stakes as he bids to complete a remarkable five-timer, but at just over even money he’s not giving us too many sleepless nights.

At Galway, The Shunter, trained by Emmet Mullins, is a horse who has been very costly to us over the winter. He’s a 7-1 chance for the Galway Plate and could add some midsummer misery as he is sure to be well backed if his shrewd connections take their chance.
Paul Binfield, Paddy Power

'We don't go into this meeting with too many red flags'

While we've seen – and indeed been on the receiving end of – some notable gambles at Glorious Goodwood, these tend to unfold on the day, so we don't go into this meeting with too many red flags.

The Group races could be dominated by a pair of odds-on favourites, Stradivarius and Poetic Flare, and that duo, along with Battaash, are sure to feature in plenty of multiples.

Battaash has won the King George Qatar Stakes four timesCredit: Edward Whitaker

As for Galway, if only we had a crystal ball to help us predict which horses will be the subjects of massive gambles over the seven days – the only certainty is there will definitely be some!
David Stevens, Coral

Read more on the Goodwood and Galway festivals:

Confirmed runners and riders for Tuesday's Goodwood Cup

Glorious Goodwood 2021: essential information for the Flat racing showpiece

'He's the best horse we've ever had' – local trainer dreaming of big Galway win

'I wouldn't put anyone off at 25-1' – Shark Hanlon priming Skyace for Galway

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