Stack up the numbers and Ado McGuinness’s stamp is all over Tuesday evening’s Galway feature.
McGuinness has landed the €120,000 Colm BMW Mile for the last three years and goes in pursuit of an unprecedented four in a row in a race that traditionalists still like to refer to as “the McDonogh”.
Ballybrit on the west coast has turned into a home from home in recent years for the trainer based on the other side of the country near the beach in Lusk and no one can accuse him of not taking this shot at history seriously.
A mammoth team of eight runners comprise almost half the field for a famous handicap that remains for many the most coveted flat prize of the festival.
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They include last year’s shock 50-1 winner Sirjack Thomas as well as the McGuinness stalwart Saltonstall who recorded back-to-back victories in 2019-20.
Add Current Option, twice a winner of Sunday’s Ahonoora Handicap, and high-class veteran Bowerman to the list and it’s quite possible not to mention what ultimately might prove McGuinness’ best chance, Casanova.
He too is a course winner here last September and found only Jungle Cove too good in a mile-and-a-quarter handicap at Leopardstown earlier this month.
The testing final hill at Ballybrit makes this as close to a 10-furlong test as makes little difference. But with tiny details needing to go right in the outcome of such a competitive handicap, Casanova’s car-park draw in 21 won’t be a plus for many punters.
Jessica Harrington came agonisingly close to winning this in 2020 when Njord looked all over the winner only to be pipped on the line by Saltonstall.
She has one shot this time but the impression left by Cowboy Justice when scoring at Killarney recently has put the in-form trainer’s hope towards the forefront of the betting.
Ballybrit challenge
The layers are also taking no chances with Fastnet Crown who is 5lbs higher in the weights for his Curragh victory over Irish Derby weekend.
Top weight Patrick Sarsfield has Jake Coen’s 5lbs claim to help his chance and Riven Light’s 2018 success under a monster 10st 1lb proves that quality can win out.
Mosala is one of those unable to boast a course victory but Wayne Lordan’s mount is familiar with the Ballybrit challenge having been a fine third to Sirjack Thomas a year ago.
He was running on well at the finish and returns for another crack off a 4lb lower rating and with an enviable draw in stall eight.
Mosala also indicated a return to form in that recent Jungle Cove contest at Leopardstown with a good third, running more prominently through the race than either the winner or Casanova.
Henry De Bromhead’s Ballybrit CV already includes a pair of Galway Plate successes with Shanahan’s Turn (2015) and Balko Des Flos in 2017.
He has two of the 22 Plate contenders after final declarations for Wednesday’s big chase and can also aim at Thursday’s Galway Hurdle with Ballyadam.
However, De Bromhead has increasingly become a force on the level and Mosala strikes as a horse who has had a return to Galway on his agenda ever since getting placed a year ago. The handler runs Western Cowboy in an earlier beginners chase where Willie Mullins gives Jon Snow a first start over fences.
A course winner over flights, Jon Snow last ran on the flat at Listowel when runner-up.
The Gigginstown hope Midnight Run, himself a course bumper winner in 2018, won a flat maiden in impressive style at Ballinrobe last time and crucially has chasing experience under his belt already.
Admittedly he failed to strike in four starts and in the last of them crashed out at the third last in last season’s Drinmore at Fairyhouse.
Decent over hurdles before that, Midnight Run’s recent win on the flat should have put him spot on for his return to fences. He looks to represent a decent level for Jon Snow to try and reach.
The Mullins team will fancy their chances in the opening hurdle with Tax For Max.
Paul Townend’s mount reached a rating of 134 last season and enjoyed a confidence booster when scoring easily at Punchestown in May.
