And he more than lived up to expectations but then he has the pedigree – by Galileo out of the mare Annie Power who won several G1s.

The going was heavy and doesn't look like getting much better either as rain is forecast for every day this week.

Our chosen flat race the Claytonhotelgalway.ie Handicap went to Rio Largo 8/1 from Quantum Light 28/1 and one of the fancied runners The Snapper third.

Tuesday's flat feature is the Mile Handicap actually over 1700m with 18 runners.  Johnny Murtagh saddles two here and depending on where you look each gets a top billing but it is a very open race.  So the Murtagh two are Blue Emperor and Rahmi – we are leaning towards the latter as Ben Coen has the ride and the stats say the last several editions have favoured starters from double digit gates and Rahmi has one of them. 

Aidan O'Brien sends Salt Lake City and Seamie Heffernan and they are on 7/1.  Dermot Weld is on the scene here with Couer d'Or and Chris Hayes on board – they are on 12/1 and we will add Storming Monarch 15/2 as it is a big field.