Despite a bad draw, Zoffanien might reward each-way support in the typically competitive Connacht Hotel Amateur Handicap, highlight on the opening day of Galway 2021.
The Mullins family has dominated the race in recent years with Willie completing a three-in-a-row with Whiskey Sour, Uradel (both ridden by Aubrey McMahon) and Great White Shark before Tony struck with subsequent Group 1 winner Princess Zoe last year.
And Willie will have no less than six challengers in today’s line-up, headed by Hook Up, bidding to give Patrick an elusive first success in the race, at the fifteenth attempt.
In a wide-open race, cases can be made for most of the twenty runners. And, realistically, Zoffanien, representing local owner Liam Mulryan and Denis Hogan is only a tentative choice, with Barry O’Neill on board.
A four-year-old, Zoffanien’s only flat form was in France, where he won two of his six starts. But he has looked progressive over hurdles since joining Hogan, opening his account at the sixth attempt in a Naas handicap in last February when rated 119, and then enjoyed little luck in running when eighth to Jeff Kidder in the ‘Boodles’ at Cheltenham.
Pipped by Botani in Cork next time, he registered his second win at Ballinrobe on mid-April. And, when last seen he filled a creditable fourth spot behind Jeff Kidder in Punchestown’s Grade 1 juvenile event and boasts a hurdle mark of 141.
A strong traveller, Zoffanien will need plenty of luck from stall eighteen. But he might arrive late on the scene and be involved for the places.
Like Zoffanienm making her flat handicap debut, Hook Up has placed Grade 1 hurdle form, behind Skyace at Fairyhouse, and is the choice of Patrick Mullins, coming into the race on the back of a third to Chiricahua on the level in Killarney back in May.
Her chance is obvious as Patrick bids to break his ‘duck’ in the race as part of a strong Closutton challenge which also includes Foveros, up a whopping 18lb. for an easy win at the Curragh on Guineas weekend and ridden by dual-winner of the race Aubrey McMahon.
Jodie Townend won on Great White Shark two years ago and partners lightly-raced Exchange Rate, fourth to another of today’s Mullins team, My Sister Sarah at Listowel last month, his first outing since chasing home Mr Everest in the 2018 Naas November Handicap.
Others worthy of consideration include my fancy for last year’s race, the Noel Meade-trained De Name Escapes Me, a close sixth to Princess Zoe twelve months ago and wearing first-time cheekpieces here.
The Names Jock could have done without the 8lb. ‘hike’ he received for going close against Ever Present at Leopardstown while the Byrnes family, successful with Rockstown Boy in 2004, relies on recent Limerick winner Run For Mary.
And Dermot Weld, without a win in the race since Midnight Music in 2012, runs Coltor, well beaten behind Foveros at the Curragh, but better than that form.
Anchorage Backing
Anchorage might get punters off to flying start in the Claregalwayhotel.ie Irish EBF 2-Y-0 Maiden which kicks off the seven-day Galway Festival.
It’s surprising that Aidan O’Brien has won this event only twice in the last decade. But Anchorage, a Galileo colt shaped with plenty of promise on his debut at Naas earlier this month and, with improvement likely, Seamus Heffernan’s mount should be tough to beat.
On debut, he stayed on in pleasing style to finish a close third behind Unconquerable, just a head behind one of today’s rivals, I Am Magic, who had the experience of a previous run.
Anchorage should turn the tables on Michael O’Callaghan’s colt. And the biggest threat to the Ballydoyle colt might come from Duke De Sessa, trained by Dermot Weld, who has farmed this race since the seventies and has won it six times in the last decade.
Willie McCreery’s Godolphin-owned Mother Country is expected to make a bold bid to defy top-weight in the seven-furlong Claytonhotelgalway.ie Handicap.
This Dawn Approach filly opened her account, at the third attempt, when landing a maiden in Naas last month, getting the better of I Siyou Baby, who has since won a Leopardstown maiden and a handicap in Leopardstown last Thursday, earning a mark of 88.
So, despite top-weight, Mother Country, who failed to make the ‘cut’ for a listed race in Killarney recently, might be well enough treated here off an initial handicap mark of 80.
Peter O'Hehir's Day One tips
4.10.Anchorage (Nap)
4.40.Mother Country
5.15.Fridtjof Nansen
5.45.No Thanks
6.15.Zoffanien
6.45.Ever A Dream
7.15.Elusive Rain
Next Best
4.10.Duke De Sessa
4.40.Dagoda
5.15.Royal Pippen
5.45.Mr Coldstone
6.15.Hook Up
6.45.National Ballet
7.15.Zero Ten
Double : Anchorage and Mother Country.
O’Hehir's Longshot : Mandarin (5.45.)
