Versatile Shaneshill bidding to step up on Plate heroics for Mullins

We know Shaneshill is versatile, now we will find out just how durable he is.

Just four days after he gave everything he had in the Galway Plate, getting closer to Balko Des Flos than anything else, the eight-year-old will try to gain a third success over fences in the At The Races Chase (4.30).

Shaneshill is trying to do exactly what Alelchi Inois did at Ballybrit in 2016. He finished second to Lord Scoundrel before winning this very race by no fewer than 32 lengths and plenty of punters will be hoping the Andrea and Graham Wylie-owned horse can do likewise on Sunday.

Willie Mullins said: "If Shaneshill can replicate his Plate performance then this could be a good opportunity for him. He seems to have come out of the race in good order and I'm hoping he'll turn up in similar form to Wednesday."

Arbre De Vie was more than 13 lengths behind his stablemate Shaneshill in Wednesday's Galway Plate and Mullins believes that place money might be the best he can hope for with him.

Mullins said: "Arbre De Vie also ran well in the Plate, finishing sixth, and he seems to have been fine since. I'd be delighted if he could pick up some nice place money but it does look a good opportunity for Shaneshill."

Road To Riches won the Galway Plate in 2014 but could manage only tenth in Wednesday's running, although his jockey Sean Flanagan did point out he stayed on nicely in the closing stages.

He said: "Road To Riches was a bit disappointing. He might not have quite as many gears as he had a few years back but the one thing he did do on Wednesday was stay on strongly up the hill and that was very encouraging."

Ted Veale is another making his second appearance of the week at Ballybrit. He chased home Renneti in Friday's Flat finale and is back over fences for the first time since April 2016.

There is €32,500 worth of prize-money up for grabs in the Lord Hemphill Memorial Handicap Chase (5.00), in which Jessica Harrington is represented by Mr Fiftyone and Neverushacon.

Young trainer-jockey Denis Hogan has his team in terrific form and is hoping for a big run from one of the most prized possessions in his Cloughjordan yard.

Hogan said: "Jack The Wire slowed up into the first at Tipperary last time but he warmed up to his task after that and won nicely. Hopefully he can take another step forward, although it will not be easy with an 11lb penalty to overcome."

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