The Connacht Hotel Handicap looks as tricky as ever tonight and one that may prove a bit of value in the big amateur handicap on the opening night at Galway is the Padraig Roche-trained Cougar.
He is still fairly unexposed on the Flat compared to some of his rivals and the four-year-old could be an each-way play in the two-miler with top amateur Derek O’Connor on board.
The son of Deep Impact was a wide margin winner on his final start for Ballydoyle on the level last year when taking a Curragh maiden by seven lengths.
He made the perfect start over timber for Padraig Roche, landing his first two including an easy victory at Down Royal on soft ground.
In better company he ran too freely at Leopardstown over Christmas before a poor effort on his return from a break at Fairyhouse, when held up to try and settle him.
There will definitely be enough pace on in this to help him relax and it’s interesting that connections try him back on the Flat now.
He has a good draw in three and should have the gears to race prominently enough. At a decent double-figure price he could be a bit of value.
Teed Up looks set to go to post favourite in the race and bookmakers are unlikely to take too many chances with the Emmet Mullins-trained runner.
He was an easy winner of a handicap hurdle at the venue last year and ran a nice prep race when second at Tramore 20 days ago.
Willie Mullins has a terrific record and saddles four in this year’s renewal.
Patrick Mullins finally broke his hoodoo in the race when scoring on Echoes In Rain last year and he sides with Lot of Joy this time.
The Camelot filly was a staying on fourth in the race last year and commands plenty of respect despite a wide enough draw.
All eyes will be on the Mullins-trained Mystical Power in the opener as the son of the great Annie Power makes his jumping debut in the
two-mile novice hurdle.
The Galileo gelding opened his account on debut with a smooth win in a bumper at Ballinrobe in late May and it looks significant that he’s pitched straight in against winners.
Soft ground performers look the ones to follow on the card and Rhythm King will relish conditions in the seven-furlong handicap.
Mark Fahey’s charge was impressive in testing conditions at Bellewstown back at the start of the season and didn’t quite see out the stiff mile at Naas subsequently.
He didn’t make much impression back at six on better ground at the Kildare track when last seen in early May but things look set up for him now.
Seven around a bend here is ideal and having slipped a few pounds since his last runs he could be nicely treated now.
Immutable won the Naas handicap in which Rhythm King was third and he could be another mudlark to follow in the mile-and-a-half handicap.
The Muhaarar gelding has recorded both his career wins in testing ground and wasn’t disgraced when chasing home a smart sort in Harbour Wind on his most recent start at Navan.
He steps up in trip again now, which has the potential to unlock a bit more improvement, and despite having top weight he could be the one to beat.
SELECTIONS
5.10 Mystical Power
5.40 Darkened
6.10 Mythology
6.40 Cougar (Dbl)
7.15 Rhythm King (Nap)
7.50 Immutable
8.20 My Great Mate
