Willie Mullins relies on Baby Zeus to extend superb run in €100,000 handicap

Saturday: 4.20 Galway
Galway Shopping Centre Handicap | 1m4f | 3yo+ | TG4/RTV

Any time Willie Mullins has been represented in this €100,000 handicap since 2015 he has walked away with the prize, making his sole runner here, Baby Zeus, all the more interesting.

The impressive Curragh premier handicap scorer, who failed to back that up at Leopardstown since off 9lb higher, will attempt to provide his in-form trainer with a seventh win in the race since 2002 and he has solid claims.

Princess Zoe did the festival double here last year when scoring over this shorter trip, and Crowns Major would also be seeking a Ballybrit brace if he had got going a little sooner on Tuesday evening when finishing second to No Thanks over 2m½f.

Crowns Major (right) finished well to claim second behind No Thanks at Galway on TuesdayCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Crowns Major's trainer Emmet Mullins also has the somewhat mercurial Gee Rex, while Michael Mulvany's In From The Cold flashed home for fourth in the Colm Quinn BMW Mile on Tuesday and now steps up in trip.

One Cool Poet returns to the scene of his most memorable triumphs in 2019 when completing a hat-trick at the meeting, but he has been out of form lately, although Pineapple Express is no back number if sufficient rain arrives for her.

What they say

Michael Mulvany, trainer of In From The Cold
He was probably a bit unlucky here on Tuesday. I think he'll stay the trip – he was second over it at Leopardstown recently – and I'd be hopeful he'd go very close if he does.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Baby Zeus
Things didn't go right for him from a high draw over a mile and a quarter at Leopardstown last time. This trip won't pose a problem and we're expecting a much better performance.

Matthew Smith, trainer of One Cool Poet and Starlight Dream
One Cool Poet hasn't really been firing, but we're hoping coming back to Galway will spark him. We're letting him take his chance without any expectations before a break. Starlight Dream is a really nice filly who has run well here before. The stiff finish and any rain will suit.

One Cool Poet: recorded a memorable hat-trick at the 2019 Galway festivalCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Andrew Slattery, trainer of Pineapple Express
Everything is good with her and I think a strong pace will suit. She's come out of her last run in great form – the ground was too quick for her then so hopefully we get an ease.

Amanda Mooney, trainer of No Say Ever
We entered for earlier in the week but he got a stone bruise – thankfully we had him in here too. He's very genuine but is just hard on himself. No type of ground is a problem to him but yielding possibly suits him best. Hopefully he runs a big race.

Emmet Mullins, trainer of Gee Rex and Crowns Major
Gee Rex is fit and well but has been a bit frustrating of late. He has a nice racing weight. Crowns Major wants further, but he's getting into a very valuable handicap and we said we'd take our chance.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Iowa
He's a good, hardy horse. The trip might have been a bit far last time and we thought this race could suit him.

Read more Saturday previews

1.55 Goodwood: 'There's some very well-handicapped horses' – key quotes for Stewards' Sprint

2.10 Newmarket: could the Super Sprint form bear fruit in finely balanced contest?

2.30 Goodwood: are we ready for another Menuisier gamble? Nuits St Georges bids for a hat-trick

3.05 Goodwood: Tom Collins searches for value behind red-hot favourite Wonderful Tonight

3.40 Goodwood: 'I've seen tougher Stewards' Cups' – trainer thoughts on the day's big handicap

3.40 Goodwood: 'How to use bookies' generosity against them' – essential Stewards' Cup advice (Members' Club)

2.00 Galway: can improver Celtic Crown overcome her wide draw in ultra-competitive handicap?

The wait is almost over! Pick up your copy of the Big Kick-Off, free inside the Racing Post on Wednesday, August 4. Your complete guide to the 2021-22 football season is packed full of tips from our experts and team-by-team guides for every English division