More Mullins domination? Baby Zeus out to improve on last year's fourth

Guinness Handicap | 1m4f | 3yo+ | TG4/RTV

This is ultra-competitive but it is wise to take note when there is a Willie Mullins runner.

He has won the race four times in the last seven years and is represented by Baby Zeus, who won a similar event at the Curragh last year and finished fourth in this a year ago. He has run just once this season when well held in fourth over hurdles at Kilbeggan in May.

He's now running off a 2lb lower mark than last year and has a good record fresh, as well as a good draw in stall two.

The most intriguing contender is the Aidan O’Brien-trained Shark Bay, who reappears quickly under a 7lb penalty after gamely landing a conditions race at Gowran six days ago.

The son of Australia showed a good attitude to fend off the rallying Jungle Cove and looks a major threat back in handicap company.

Gavin Cromwell runs the well-fancied Dha Leath and course winner Yafordadoe.

Dha Leath has been in terrific form this season, winning three of her last four races, and an 8lb rise for her most recent success may not be enough to stop her.

Barry Fitzgerald has yet to taste Galway festival glory but he has a filly on top of her game in Dame Rapide. She has won two of her last three starts, including a three-and-a-half-length success over Echoes In Rain at the Curragh in May.

She also ran with great credit on slow ground behind HMS Seahorse in the Ragusa Handicap last month. The handicapper has left her on a mark of 92 and Luke McAteer’s 3lb claim looks vital.

Joe Murphy relies on impressive Ballinrobe winner Sionnach Eile, but a 12lb rise for that success looks harsh.

The move into Group 2 company may have been a step too far for Ruler Legend at Royal Ascot, but the Fozzy Stack-trained gelding looked classy when winning a conditions race at Naas in May.

Cask Mate makes his second appearance of the week after finishing fifth in Monday’s big amateur handicap, while topweight Laelaps merits plenty of respect on his first try at 1m4f.

What they say

Shane Foley, rider of Laelaps
He just got beat at Ballinrobe last time. It's his first time stepping up to a mile and half which hopefully he’ll get. It’s not ideal that the weights went up a bit as he was in off a nice light weight, but he’s in good form and Jessie’s [Harrington, trainer] horses are running very well.

Joe Murphy, trainer of Sionnach Eile
He has an awful lot of weight to carry but we’re very happy with the horse. You’d have to give him a chance based on the way he won at Ballinrobe but this is a better race. He’s in good form.

Barry Fitzgerald, trainer of Dame Rapide
We’re happy with her. She’s going there with a good chance. If she handles the track I think she’ll go very close. I’m happy with the way she came out of the Curragh last time and hopefully she’ll run a good race. Nicer ground should suit her and I’m looking forward to it.

Joey Sheridan, rider of Cask Mate
He ran an absolute belter on Monday. If he produces another solid effort like that he should be fighting it out in the finish. He usually delivers his hand late but it’s a nice ride to get.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Yafordadoe and Dha Leath
We’d love it if there was an ease in the ground for Yafordadoe as he handles that well. He’s going there fit and well, he mightn’t be very well handicapped but he runs well around Galway. Dha Leath is in great form. She seems well and hopefully she can continue to progress.

Friday previews:

1.50 Goodwood: Can stayer named after Jack Grealish provide Villa owner-breeder with big win?

2.25 Goodwood: Norwegian and German raiders lay siege to Britain's Thoroughbred stronghold

3.00 Goodwood: Can front-runner Noble Dynasty make all from a perfect draw in stall three?

3.35 Goodwood: Appleby confident 'the best I've trained' Raasel can emerge as new sprinting ace

6.00 Galway: Blazers banker? 'She's much better over fences than hurdles. I fancy her'

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