Ado McGuinness mob-handed again as Current Option chases Ahonoora hat-trick

Sunday: 4.10 Galway
Irish Stallion Farms EBF "Ahonoora" Handicap | 7f | 3yo+ | RTV

Only twice has Ado McGuinness endured a blank Galway festival since 2010 and the final-day feature could prove his best chance of finally getting off the mark for the 2022 meeting.

Current Option, one of a possible seven runners for the Dublin-based team, must have an excellent chance of making it three-in-a-row in this race considering he's rated 8lb lower than when delivering the goods 12 months ago.

Stablemate Saltonstall also looks well-handicapped off 97 and should be forgiven an 11th-placed finish here on Tuesday when having zero luck in running, while Casanova showed he is in rude health when finishing second in the same race.

McGuinness was responsible for the 1-3-4-6 in last year's Ahonoora but faces strong competition from both Britain and Ireland this time.

On A Session: big player for David and Nicola BarronCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

On A Session, representing David and Nicola Barron, arrives here in excellent heart after scoring at Musselburgh last time and loves Galway. He was second in the 2019 running of this valuable handicap, third in 2020 and second again last year when rated 3lb lower.

Lord Dudley should relish this sort of test and has an excellent draw in stall 3 given his prominent running style. He must have a big chance for Kieran Cotter and Declan McDonogh, who rides this track so well.

Dual German Group 3 winner Majestic Colt, trained by Denis Hogan, finished a length in front of the Cotter-trained contender when the pair were fourth and sixth in the Scurry Handicap last time and is another live player.

At a double-figure price, Nebo could outrun his odds for Tom Hogan if back to the form of his fifth in the race last year, having not had a clear run on that occasion.

Bold bid expected from hat-trick seeker Current Option

Magic Chegaga spoiled Ado McGuinness' attempt to make it four successive wins in the Colm Quinn BMW Mile on Tuesday, but the stage could be set for a hat-trick in Sunday's feature event.

Current Option finished 14th and seventh in the day-two highlight before winning this race in 2020 and 2021, so a fourth-placed effort when only beaten two lengths earlier this week must bode well for his chances here.

McGuinness is guaranteed at least six runners in the €110,000 contest, but that could become seven if first reserve Laugh A Minute manages to get a run.

McGuinness said: "Casanova ran a cracker when second here on Tuesday. He's now been runner-up in two premier handicaps but hopefully he might get a change of luck now.

Current Option: rated 8lb lower than when winning this race 12 months agoCredit: Patrick McCann

"Spanish Tenor should like the trip and ran very well when third in this race last year. We were happy with Current Option's fourth on Tuesday and he looks to have a good chance going for three-in-a-row here.

"Saltonstall met trouble in running on Tuesday but has his chance here and would be helped by a drop of rain. Pierre Lapin ran well when fifth on Tuesday. He'd probably prefer going a little further but should hopefully give a good account.

"Sirjack Thomas didn't run badly earlier in the week and was a good fourth under a penalty in this race 12 months ago. I think an ease in the ground and the hill should suit Laugh A Minute if he gets in as a reserve, although there's a question mark over whether seven furlongs is ideal for him."

Pressed on who might be the pick of his team, McGuinness said: "Maybe Current Option or Casanova would get the nod."

What they say

John McConnell, trainer of Lexington Dash
He won nicely at Fairyhouse last time and is now up to a high sort of mark, but he's in good nick and we hope he'll handle the track. Shane Foley won on him last time and was keen to ride him here. Hopefully we've got a live chance.

Denis Hogan, trainer of Make A Challenge and Majestic Colt
Make A Challenge has been working very well lately but he'll need rain to come in order for him to run. I was delighted with Majestic Colt's last run at the Curragh when fourth in the Scurry. He had been giving weight away to horses in Listed company as a result of having a Group 3 penalty, and switching to a handicap where he received weight from some horses was a help. I think the seven furlongs should be fine and Joey Sheridan's 3lb claim is a positive.

Majestic Colt (number 7, blue and white silks): shaped encouragingly when fourth in the Paddy Power Scurry HandicapCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Matthew Smith, trainer of Master Matt
He's won over seven furlongs at Listowel, but this is a completely different track and he's generally campaigned over shorter. Whether he'll get the trip around here, I really don't know. He can be tricky at times in terms of the stalls. If he breaks well he always gives himself a chance, but last time at Dundalk he virtually cost himself the race beforehand.

Nicola Barron, joint-trainer of On A Session
He's settled in fine there and he's in good form. He's got a good draw and he always ran well at Galway when he was trained in Ireland so we're hopeful of a big performance.

Tom Hogan, trainer of Nebo
He ran well in the race last year and it's no disadvantage that he's rated 8lb lower now. We're happy with our draw [in stall 4]. The one thing I'd fear is heavy rain. He goes on most types of ground apart from heavy and dead ground.

Kieran Cotter, trainer of Lord Dudley
He's got a lovely low draw [in stall 3] and we're very happy to be stepping him back up to seven furlongs. He won a premier handicap over that trip at Cork and I think the stiffer seven furlongs here should suit him even more. The track will be in his favour too.

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