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Who has the upper hand in a red-hot running of the BMW Mile Handicap?

Saltonstall: bidding for a spectacular BMW Mile hat-trick
Saltonstall: bidding for a spectacular BMW Mile hat-trickCredit: Patrick McCann

Tuesday: 6.15 Galway
Colm Quinn BMW Mile Handicap (Premier Handicap) | 1m½f | 3yo+ | RTE2/RTV

Joseph O'Brien has yet to win the Tuesday showpiece at Galway, either as a jockey or a trainer but Mazagran might be the one to address that.

The War Front colt looks a seriously shrewd purchase from Dubai if his Irish debut is anything to go by. Twice a winner at Jebel Ali, he made a mockery of his opening Irish mark of 82 in a rated race at Limerick under Shane Crosse.

That cosy victory by three lengths has prompted the handicapper to raise him 12lb but even defying a mark of 94 could be within his capabilities such was the impression he created. There is some substance to the form too as fourth-placed Exuma won a Killarney handicap on his next start.

Mazagran is drawn in stall ten and both Riven Light (2017) and Vastonea (2012) came out of that gate to land the spoils. The last three winners have all had double-digit draws in 18, 14 and 12.

Saltonstall is bidding for a spectacular hat-trick, something no horse has managed in the race before. He won this in 2019 off 89, in 2020 off 96 and now he must defy a mark of 105 if he is to complete the three-timer under impressive 5lb claimer Sam Ewing.

Mazagran: impressed on his Irish debut at Limerick
Mazagran: impressed on his Irish debut at LimerickCredit: Patrick McCann

The defending champion is one of six possible runners for Ado McGuinness, depending on whether the reserve Sirjack Thomas gets in. Current Option is the class act of that lot, but Star Harbour has stall one and looked to be in great form when winning at Killarney – he could do best of the bunch.

Three-year-olds have a terrible record with no wins in the last decade. That is not good news for Horoscope and Lust, who both hail from powerful yards and were successful last time out.

Dermot Weld should always be feared in the big Ballybrit handicaps, but Blue For You has gone up 5lb for a narrow win at Leopardstown where he had the help of Dylan Brown McMonagle's 3lb claim. It is a big ask for him.


What they say

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Njord, Tauran Shaman and Free Solo
Tauran Shaman has actually been very consistent this year, which he wasn't last year. He's in terrific form and he has a good draw [5] so I'm hoping for the best. I certainly wouldn't discount Njord. He absolutely loves the place. Free Solo would be the one I would worry about if the rain arrived. If it got very soft, he mightn't run.

Ado McGuinness, trainer of Current Option, Saltonstall, Bowerman, Spanish Tenor, Star Harbour and Sirjack Thomas
Current Option is stepping back in class. I looked back through the results and horses have stepped back out of Group company to win this race. Latino Magic did it in 2005. He has class and has improved for his run at the Curragh. That was his first run for over two months. I'm delighted with Saltonstall and he grows an extra leg when he gets to Galway. Hopefully that can carry him up the hill again. Bowerman has been disappointing of late but a little bit of juice in the ground will suit him. Spanish Tenor has a terrible draw [15] but I was happy enough with his last run. I really like Star Harbour. He has a great draw and won really well at Killarney. He just didn't stay in the Ulster Derby the time before. I think he's got a great chance. Sirjack Thomas will hopefully get in as he's come to life this year, it's just a pity about the draw for him.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Raise You and Mazagran
Mazagran won really nicely at Limerick. This is a big step up in class and we'd have preferred a better draw but we'll see how he goes and hopefully he can pick up a share of the prize-money. Raise You is in really good shape and we think the mile will suit him really well. He's got a very bad draw [18] which will makes things tough for him.

Peter Fahey, trainer of Soaring Monarch
He was very impressive at Roscommon last time and he had two very good runs at this meeting last year so he obviously likes the place. He has a disastrous draw [21], though. It's horrendous. Hopefully he can still run a big race because he's in brilliant form.

Dermot Weld, trainer of Blue For You
It's a very competitive race. He's got an increase in weight and we've no claim this time so that won't make life easy. He's seems to be very well in himself and should give a good account of himself.

Tuesday's race previews:

1.50 Goodwood: 'He's ready to win if things go right' – trainers on the TV opener

2.25 Goodwood: can we trust the Coventry form? Graeme Rodway gives his view on Berkshire Shadow

3.00 Goodwood: absence unlikely to be an issue as Space Blues bids for Lennox Stakes repeat

3.35 Goodwood: 'They ride to beat him' – Stradivarius camp hoping to avoid difficult passage

3.35 Goodwood: why Stradivarius is harder to beat at Goodwood (Members' Club)


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David JenningsDeputy Ireland editor

Published on 26 July 2021inPreviews

Last updated 18:28, 26 July 2021

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