Watering of the Ballybrit course was required yesterday to maintain a safe surface for the many runners lining up this evening during the opening session of what has all the hallmarks of another Galway bonanza.

This is the second time in the past week that the new irrigation system, installed by the course with the funding assistance of Horse Racing Ireland, has been in action in advance of the forecast for an imminent end to the fine spell.

A record prize fund for the 51 races during the Summer Festival that now tops €2m has, not surprisingly, grabbed the attention of several of the leading English trainers to add spice to the occasion.

Nevertheless, the home defence, spearheaded as usual here by the inimitable Dermot Weld, has been warned and finding winners is going to be as difficult as ever for those hoping to defray expenses if not even turn a profit.

Among the incentives for those handlers with mixed teams primed for the week is the €50,000 bonus for any horse that manages to record back-to-back successes in the GPT Amateur Handicap and the Guinness Hurdle.

It's a long time now, 1990 to be specific, since Athy Spirit achieved this rare feat for his Athy owner-trainer Willie Fennin and, this evening, Majestic Concorde, English raider Hall a San and Indian Pace, whose injured stablemate King Rama misses the Guinness promotion, are prime fancies for the first leg.

Then the opening leg of the Jackpot is bound to bring out the heavy hitters in the betting ring as Johnny Murtagh, heading to Goodwood for the remainder of the week, and Aidan O'Brien team up with well-beaten Roscommon hotpot Drumbeat in an attempt to foil the promising Weld juvenile Broad Meaning.

GPT Galway Amateur Handicap, (7.0)

One of the key events in the early part of the festival and a tight-looking handicap that has produced more than it's fair share of surprise results, including Loyal Focus 12 months ago from the Weld yard. That versatile performer in the Michael Smurfit colours was returned at 14/1, two points shorter than Francis Flood's equally proficient money-spinner P'tit Fute which is back for more now as Weld relies instead on Majestic Concorde.

It's a measure of the rising profile of the runners involved in this two-miler that the top weight Galistic was a Listed winner last year at Leopardstown and returned there recently to divide Profound Beauty and Peppertree Lane.

Wexford's Matt O'Connor, who rode Loyal Focus a year ago, is back now in the Smurfit colours aboard Galistic, with the Northumberland Plate principals Arc Bleu and Halla San renewing Newcastle rivalry into the bargain.

Unlikely to make the cut for the Guinness Hurdle, Miss Fancy Pants comes here on a personal high as she seeks a hat-trick for the Noel Meade yard which can also call on Athlumney Lad and Queen Althea.

While Serpentaria could prove the pick of those at the bottom of the handicap, we may have to go towards the midway mark instead to find the winner and Majestic Concorde is given the vote over P'tit Fute and Galistic.

Verdict: Plump for Majestic Concorde.

GPT Access Equipment Maiden (6.20)

Never an easy race to win, the honours in this juvenile maiden have generally been shared out in recent seasons, although the Weld-Pat Smullen partnership scored with both Grey Swallow (2003) and Fleeting Shadow two years ago.

Successful with Lucifer Sam last summer, Ballydoyle rely now on Drumbeat which did not fulfil the promise shown on his debut when readily brushed aside by Luminous Eyes in soft ground at Roscommon.

In contrast, Broad Meaning turned in a fair effort on his debut at Leopardstown when dividing Mourayan and last Wednesday's impressive Naas winner Gan Amhras over a mile, having run along on the pace.

The Oxx newcomer Zarinski and Quiet Ocean, behind the Weld horse at the Dublin course, are entitled to respect too in what should be a tasty contest.

Verdict: Broad Meaning is the day's nap.

GPT Sligo Novice Hurdle (5.10)

Jewel Of The West goes for a hat-trick after Punchestown and Bellewstown displays that underline his rate of progress, though the revised ratings would favour the chances of Killarney runner-up Pillar Of Hercules.

The runaway Sligo victor Audit, Negus and Tetouan would come into the equation as well as the joint top weights and this stiff finish could play more to the strengths of Jewel Of The West than Pillar Of Hercules.

Verdict: Jewel Of The West merits the vote.

GPT Dublin Handicap Hurdle (5.45)

No shortage of challengers coming here in good form in addition to the top weight Stage Manager which is due a change of fortune after a narrow defeat on the flat and losing his pilot early on at Killarney more recently.

Little Eye, which hinted at a return to form on the flat at Fairyhouse, makes a rare sortie over timber and Dani's Girl, successful on the flat here in the past, posted a decent hurdles win at Down Royal.

Silent Wind met with defeat at Roscommon after a smooth success at Ballinrobe and Quai Du Roi has more than paid his way this summer, even if he may be more effective on the flat than when going jumping.

Verdict: Stage Manager could bounce back.

GPT Cork Handicap (7.35)

Drunken Sailor, which has been doing Paul Flynn's small stable proud, may have his victory march interrupted by a couple of less-exposed types here, with English-based Lecanvey and Gunavira among them.

First In Command has his share of weight also following a fast-finishing, if narrow, Naas win last Wednesday, but a chance is taken that Separate Ways, which has been knocking on the door, can prove superior.

Verdict: Separate Ways looks worth an interest.

GPT Rentals Handicap (8.10)

Perihelion and Ghimaar would take beating, despite topping the scale, if either managed to recapture their previous form as consistent Peacock's Pride and treble-seeking Sinful Pleasure are put into the mix also.

Locally-owned Mon Champion seems to be the pick of Pat Flynn's pair over Final Flashback and another fairly unexposed three-year-old Slan Abhaile deserves a decent mention too off a reasonable mark.

Verdict: Slan Abhaile will do for me.

GPT Waterford Flat Race (8.40)

Lots of varied form lines to attempt to thread together as the experienced Hard And Fast goes in search of an elusive success in his final bumper outing.

Debut runners-up Abroad and Apposite, as well as Battle In Hand and Clayton Chief, are four-year-olds that have more to offer at this level and Ballynalty Point is another that could come in for market support.

Verdict: Hard And Fast may finally come good.

See our Galway Races section for racecards, live race results and more

- Damien McElroy