The remarkable Current Option bids for a fourth consecutive success in the ‘Ahonoora’ Handicap at Galway on Sunday.
It has been a terrific feat of training by Ado McGuinness to get the Camelot gelding back to his peak three years running to land this valuable contest.
There looks every chance he can strike again as he runs off a lower mark than when scoring on any of his previous victories.
He is 2lb lower than last year when he also came here off the back of a run in the big mile race on the Monday.
Read More:
[ Gary Carson: Don't Pause to back Power for WIllie Mullins team at Galway FestivalOpens in new window ]
His eighth at the start of the week doesn’t look particularly strong on paper but he was only beaten just over two lengths at the line and hadn’t the clearest of runs in the straight.
Seven furlongs suits him much better and he was a touch keen in the early stages over the longer trip the other day.
All of his seven career victories have come at this trip and he is a real specialist at the distance.
Ground doesn’t appear to be a big factor for him either with wins coming on surfaces ranging from soft to good.
It’s obviously a big ask to pull off four straight wins in any race but Current Option looks in a good place and on a nice mark.
McGuinness runs three others in the race and also has a couple of reserves in the wings. Laugh A Minute can be given a chance but is perhaps better at sprint trips.
The young improver in the field is the Joseph O’Brien-trained Hotrocket and he has to be respected.
The Starsspangledbanner gelding has won his last two under promising claimer Conor Stone-Walsh and he again takes off a very valuable 7lb.
He was probably value for a bit more than his winning margin at Fairyhouse last time and could still be on a nice mark after a 5lb rise.
There are a few horses turning out again on the card having already been on show at Ballyrbit this week.
Malbay Madness ran a cracker on Wednesday when just losing out by a short-head to Lan Cinnte over course and distance and may be able to make amends now.
Colin Keane is a noteworthy booking for the Wings Of Eagles gelding who remains on the same mark as the other day.
Willie Mullins looks like he could have a strong finish to the week.
Saint Sam looks hard to oppose in the Eileen Kelly Memorial Chase despite giving weight away to all his rivals.
The 159-rated performer comes into the race in fine form having been an easy winner of his last couple of starts.
The following two-mile-two handicap chase looks like a competitive affair but Hubrisko has a big shout.
He has been chasing home some smart types in beginners’ chases and looks nicely treated now on his first try in handicap company over the larger obstacles.
A quality bumper will ensure plenty of punters stay to the finish.
The eye is obviously drawn to Aurora Vega, a daughter of the brilliant Quevega, but it looks significant that Patrick Mullins has chosen to ride You Oughta Know instead.
This Beat Hollow gelding was very impressive first time up at Killarney in May, in what looked like a strong enough bumper, and got a glowing report from the rider afterwards.
SELECTIONS
1.50 Teed Up
2.20 We’llhavewan
2.55 Saint Sam
3.30 Hubrisko
4.00 Current Option (Nap)
4.30 Stromberg
5.00 Malbay Madness (Dbl)
5.30 You Oughta Know
