'A long-term target' - find out who could go close in the big day one handicap

Monday: 6.15 Galway
Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap | 2m1f | 4yo+ | RTE2/RTV

The quality of this staying handicap for amateurs is perhaps best summed up by last year's edition.

It was won by Princess Zoe who is now a Group 1 winner and finished runner-up in the Gold Cup, while Sharjah, who won the Grade 1 Matheson Hurdle at Leopardstown a few months later and went on to chase home Honeysuckle in the Champion Hurdle, could only finish tenth off a mark of 94.

Last year's race was a red-hot renewal so that makes Run For Mary very interesting. She finished closest to Princess Zoe and has somehow managed to sneak into this year's race off the same mark despite scoring snugly at Limerick last time. She's high class and her best days could still be in front of her.

Willie Mullins runs six as he seeks to plunder the prize for the fourth time in five years. Patrick has picked Hook Up, who should be really good at this game given she usually spoils her chance over hurdles by producing sloppy leaps. She was third in a Grade 1 at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival so a mark of 84 could underestimate her.

Aubrey McMahon, successful in 2017 on Whiskey Sour and 2018 on Uradel, will be on Foveros but he went up a staggering 17lb for a wide-margin win at the Curragh on Irish Guineas weekend.

De Name Escapes Me would be reasonably interesting if back to the form of his November Handicap win at Naas. That was achieved off a mark of 85 and he is only 3lb higher, plus Derek O'Connor takes the ride.

Dermot Weld: the king of Ballybrit runs the unexposed ColtorCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Dermot Weld, for so long the king of Ballybrit, last won this in 2012 with Midnight Music. This time around the master of Rosewell House is represented by Coltor – an unexposed four-year-old with a mark of 83.

Speaking of unexposed four-year-olds rated 83, Zoffanien is just that. He has climbed to a mark of 142 over hurdles and cover in a big-field handicap is just what he needs.

Stall 18 might seem a negative, but delving deeper into the draw tells you that four of the last five winners have had double-digit draws.

Zoffanien is just the type of battle-hardened handicapper that you want for this race. He doesn't tend to find a great deal when he hits the front so expect Barry O'Neill to show his hand last. It might just be the winning one.

What they say

Denis Hogan, trainer of Low Sun and Zoffanien
Zoffanien is well treated on his hurdles rating but he has to transfer that to the Flat, which we're hoping he can. Low Sun has top weight for a reason. He's won a Cesarewitch and been jumping fences for us lately but is possibly a better Flat horse. Damien [Skehan] claims 7lb off him and will ride him forward.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Shoshone Warrior
He ran a good race at Leopardstown. This is tougher, but we're claiming 7lb off him and hopefully he can claim a share of the prize-money.

Exchange Rate: one of six runners for Willie MullinsCredit: Patrick McCann

Willie Mullins, trainer of Royal Illusion, Hook Up, Runrized, Foveros, My Sister Sarah and Exchange Rate
Patrick [Mullins] has elected to ride Hook Up. It’s going to be tough enough for him to get down to the weight but he will get near it if not do it. I’ve seen nothing to suggest she wouldn’t like good ground. Foveros has course form which is a help. My Sister Sarah also has good form around Galway and has to have a reasonable chance. Royal Illusion was a little disappointing at Royal Ascot, but this trip could give her a little bit of a chance. Runrized would appear to have a lot on his plate. Exchange Rate has Galway form and so does Jody [Townend], so he could be interesting with her claim down at the bottom.

Noel Meade, trainer of De Name Escapes Me
This has been a target for a long time. He ran well in this race last year and the bit of rain will help. He’s wearing first-time cheekpieces as he’s an 11-year-old now. I’m not sure if he needs them but they won’t do him any harm.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Lynwood Gold
It’s very competitive and all depends on what luck he’ll have in running, but we’d be hopeful of a good run.

Dermot Weld, trainer of Coltor
His run at the Curragh was a little disappointing last time but the ground was very heavy and he’ll appreciate good ground. We expect him to run a good race.

Matthew Smith, trainer of Irish Poseidon
He's good, but you need everything to fall right in a race like this and he's drawn in the second-widest stall. The trip will be fine for him and we have Lisa [O'Neill] booked, which is a nice bonus in a race like this.

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