Connections could just have their eyes on the Connacht Hotel Amateur Riders Handicap on the opening day of the Galway festival for the very smart hurdler DADDY LONG LEGS, who runs for the first time on the Flat since being touched off on his sole run in France three years ago, and arrives on the back of a good hurdles run on similar ground. Paddy Towmey introduces a Wootton Bassett colt Carmers for whom market support would be significant, while of those with more recent Flat form Matrice and Tashir appeal most. [Alan Hewison]
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Touched off on sole Flat run (1m4f, soft) in France at three and has developed into very smart hurdler for current connections, four wins including last year at Punchestown festival and Tipperary Grade 3; showed current well being when second in recent valuable Plumpton handicap on good ground; very interesting returning to Flat here with Keane booked.
Does well at this track, having won maiden hurdle, landed a beginners chase on this card last year and last month finished a decent second in 2m1f handicap hurdle; earlier same month never counted after slow start in Gowran Flat maiden; will do well to feature.
Calyx half-brother to winners Mushtaq (6f-1m inc 2yo AW/Bahrain; RPR 94) and Ponte De Ruda (Spanish 7f 2yo/1m); dam unraced sister to French 1m/1m1f winner Spirit Danon; tongue-tied for belated debut, seems best watched.
Wootton Bassett colt is third foal of a 1m-1m2f winner (inc AW; RPR 88), a half-sister to Group 1 winners Lord Shanakill (1m), Forever Together (1m4f) and Together Forever (1m 2yo); blinkered for belated debut and has to be greatly respected from this yard.
Closely related to 1m/8.7f AW winner More Than A Feelin (RPR 82); dam unraced half-sister to 6f Group 3 winner Lightning Moon; easy to back, definite debut promise last month when staying on third in Cork maiden over 1m2f; cheekpieces now fitted and upped in trip so potential improver.
Something to take from both maiden runs although looked a suspect stayer over this trip at Tipperary last time when nearly 5l behind Crooked Path; cheekpieces tried and better ground could suit but others preferred.
Ran a blinder on only start last season when splitting two market principals in 7f Gowran maiden on good; soft ground may have been his undoing on last month's Cork comeback run but return to good ground and step up in trip could well see him in a different light.
Frankel filly shaped well in Dundalk fillies' maiden last autumn and again on seasonal return in recent Limerick fillies maiden over this trip, rallying well in testing conditions when second (having hung left); hood now fitted and back on better ground; definite chance.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
