Cyclone’s new wind can drive him home
SHARK HANLON is under no illusions about the task facing Hidden Cyclone in the feature event at Galway today.
The son of Stowaway may be in the twilight of his career at the age of 12, but the 17-times winner has been in fine form of late, most recently finishing sixth in the Connacht Hotel (QR) Handicap on Monday evening.
He reverts to the jumping game for the ¤100,000 Galway Shopping Centre Handicap Hurdle on the penultimate day of the Festival, but must concede weight to each of his 19 rivals.
Hanlon said: ‘He ran a cracker the other night. Unfortunately he stood in the stalls, which was nobody’s fault, but by the time he jumped out they were gone.
‘He was last coming out of the dip, but came home well and maybe he was a bit unlucky.
‘He has top-weight on Saturday, which would be a bit of a worry. He’s the class horse in the field, but giving that weight away won’t be easy.
‘He’s in great form, which is why we’re running him again so quickly.
‘There’s plenty of money on offer, so we’ll let him take his chance and see what happens.’
Willie Mullins has claimed this prize in three of the last four years and the champion trainer launches another assault with at least four strong runners.
Recent Tipperary scorer Cap D’Aubois is joined by stablemates Aussie Reigns, The Crafty Butcher and Lagostovegas, while Madurai is third reserve.
Willie Codd saddles the inform mare Tellthemnuttin, who is on a hat-trick following May victories at Wexford and Down Royal.
‘This race has been the plan even before she won in Down Royal and we’re very happy with her,’ said Codd.
‘We gave her a break after Down Royal to train her for the race. Her training has gone well and she’s in good form.
‘The trip and ground should be fine for her and if she gets a bit of luck in running we’d be hoping she’ll run a big race.
‘You can’t be too confident in races like this. All we can do is get her there in the best shape we can and we think we’ve done that.’
Mr Showtime has won three of his last four starts for Noel Meade.
The Tu Va handler is doubly represented, with Showem Silver also declared.
Other contenders include the Charles Byrnes-trained Sea Light and Gordon Elliott’s Westland Row.
Tomorrow, Willie Mullins can cap an excellent Festival by winning the big race as the curtain comes down on the week at Ballybrit with Riven Light.
The five-year-old collected a valuable mile prize on Tuesday and it might take a good one to stop him doubling up in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF ‘Ahonoora’ Handicap.