AN EILE OF A CONUNDRUM
Sionnach has solid claims in race devilishly difficult to call
SIONNACH EILE has solid each-way claims in the Connacht Hotel (Amateur) Handicap on the opening day of the 2024 Galway Festival.
Joe Murphy’s charge is bidding to emulate his half-brother Swamp Fox, a course specialist at Ballybrit and winner of this race in 2016.
Boasting solid course form, a low draw, recent hurdle form which should have him primed for the job and with David Doyle claiming 7lb, he is §worth a small each-way investment in a devilishly difficult renewal of the traditional Monday showpiece.
Sionnach Eile was an impressive winner of the valuable Guinness Handicap (a mile and a half) in 2022 and finished fifth, behind Brazil, in that race last year, having held every chance off the home turn.
Rated 94 when successful two years ago, he is now 1lb lower and, although he is unproven over two miles on the flat, he ticks a lot of boxes, coming into the race on the back of three placed efforts in maiden hurdles, most recently when runner-up to Disco Dancer in Cork.
Emmet Mullins has booked John Gleeson to partner last year’s winner Teed Up, now 7lb higher and, presumably, prepared specifically for this repeat bid and a rematch with last year’s unlucky third Shajak, ridden again for Gordon Elliott and J P Mcmanus by Harry Swan.
A five-time course winner, Teed Up carries the familiar colours of the Mee family, who have enjoyed tremendous success at Ballybrit in recent years.
They’ll also be represented by the Shark Hanlon-trained Enfranchise, winner of a maiden hurdle at the 2023 Festival and racing off an unchanged mark despite her win in the listed Vintage Tipple at Gowran Park last time.
The fact that Derek O’connor, successful on Rapid Deployment last year, will be on board Enfranchise is significant.
Vying for ante-post favouritism has been the progressive Alphonse Le Grande, now in the care of Cathy O’leary and bidding for a four-timer, with Billy Coonan claiming 7lb.
Successful in Dundalk off 64, this fellow has gone on to win the Chester Cup and Northumberland Plate consolation races to reach a current mark of 87. And he’s another one for all short-lists.
Willie Mullins (right) runs three, with
Patrick on Lot Of Joy, fourth to stable-companion Echoes In
Rain in this race in ’22 and sixth to Teed Up last year.
She was last seen when having an ideal prep in finishing a close third to Star Harbour at the Curragh last month.
Another interesting Closutton runner is Jody Townend’s mount Spasiba, on his stable debut.
Barry Connell’s versatile 10-year-old Enniskerry, seventh in the Plate last year, will also have his followers, with Finny Maguire in the plate.
And lone British challenger, the Harry Fry-trained Metier also has prospects despite top-weight. Winner of a (Grade 1) Tolworth Hurdle, this fellow’s flat form includes victories in the 2022 November Handicap in Doncaster and the 2023 Chester
Cup.
Aine O’connor’s mount had his last outing when fifth to Sweet William in a Group 3 at Sandown in May and is a class act.
In-form Gavin Cromwell runs Pinot Gris, with each-way claims, while I won’t be surprised if Bill Durkan’s Baltic Bird figures prominently in a race in which plenty of luck in running is needed.