Top amateur jockey Derek O'Connor aiming for Galway Plate glory on Anyway
More evocatively titled rivals such as Down Memory Lane and Nurburgring are also among the maximum 20-strong field for the summer's steeplechase highlight, off at 6.40pm and live on RTÉ.
But the big-race answer to what's in a name didn't stop a rosy outcome for the inelegantly named Inothewayurthinkin in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March. Nor did it stop
Aidan O'Brien
winning the Oaks in 2012 with Was.
Only the subsequent Grade One winner Caldwell Potter prevented Anyway from pulling off a 125-1 upset at Cheltenham in March for his Cork trainer Ken Budds.
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His only start since then yielded a first win over fences at Kilbeggan last month and he will be ridden for the first time by top amateur Derek O'Connor, who memorably rode Inothewayurthinkin to win a Kim Muir at Cheltenham in 2024.
O'Connor will concede nothing to top professional rivals that include the former British champion jockey Harry Cobden. He flies in to team up with the dual-Cheltenham Festival winner Jazzy Matty, while Paul Townend has opted for Adamantly Chosen from a
Willie Mullins
trio.
Gordon Elliott
dominates the race numerically as he pursues a record fifth victory in the historic €270,000 highlight with seven runners. Bookmakers reckon Down Memory Lane will be Elliott's number one, but Jack Kennedy will also fancy his chances on Three Card Brag.
Nurburgring has been popular in ante-post betting as
Joseph O'Brien's
runner zeros in on a rare double.
JJ Slevin got HRI's Ride of the Year prize for his initiative at the start on Nurburgring in last year's Galway Hurdle. The road is open to pulling off a big festival double, last achieved by Ansar. He won the Hurdle in 2001 and landed the Plate back-to-back in 2004-05.
If Anyway would be a popular local success for his Galway-based jockey, so too would a win for the high-class hurdler Buddy One, representing Paul and Jack Gilligan. He is a course and distance winner and had an ideal warm-up when successful on the flat nine days ago.
Jesse Evans lines up here rather than having a fifth attempt at Thursday's big Hurdle, while Emmet Mullins relies on Sea Music. When the race is run, all the opposition may have left to say is 'Anyway'.
Racing opens up with the Ebor favourite Hipop De Loire getting an unusual prep for the upcoming big York handicap in a maiden hurdle. Arctic Gale is likely to also figure closely in another handicap over flights.
Dermot Weld's Sujet looked a transformed proposition after being gelded when scoring impressively at the Curragh on Derby day. A 10lb hike may not prevent him following up in a mile handicap.
Last Ammo's only career win came in the concluding two-mile handicap in 2023. He's back for another crack at the race off a similar mark.
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(From Instagram) Sinéad Gleeson, author and Arena contributor I am – along with so many in the Irish arts community – devastated to hear about the death of Seán Rocks, presenter of @rte_arena . An intelligent, curious, warm broadcaster who lifted us all up, but more importantly, was a wonderful person. A total gentleman, always smiling who put people at ease. I loved the studio chats before the mic was live, where we often talked about our kids. I was only on air with him nine days ago and I couldn't make it to studio, and now I wish I had. He was one of a kind and will be so missed. (From Instagram) Nadine O'Regan, Irish Times journalist and Arena contributor Seán Rocks was one of the most lovely people you could ever encounter. He was gas off air – with plenty of anecdotes and wisecracks – and professional, good-humoured, thoughtful and wise on air. There were so many lessons you could take from Seán as a presenter. 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After the clock springs on In April they're not really needed. But still I persist. Dinner with Seán Rocks, at seven every evening. It's March again. A year has passed, The year of Covid. I light the candles, set My plate upon the table. Rice and chicken. 'I want to Finish with something I know you love!' You know what I like about Seán Rocks? He's nice. He has a melodious voice. He's not pompous, never perky. He speaks decent Irish. 'Anois an Nuacht ó Mháire de Bhailís' He says before his show begins. 'That is our lot for this evening.' Much has happened Since last March. Birth and death. And yet 'Tá sé díreach in am do John Creedon.' (from Facebook)
