Crowns Major likely to have a busy Galway Emmet Mullins is eyeing a couple of Ballybrit engagements for Crowns Major. The Japanese-bred gelding ran twice at last year's Galway Festival and it proved a lucrative trip as he finished runner-up in the Latin Quarter Handicap before landing the €60,000 first prize in the Galway Shopping Centre Handicap over an extended 1m3f. He has been declared for the €110,000 Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap on Monday. “Crowns Major won at the track last year. He has a high mark but did run well in Leopardstown at Champions Weekend probably over an inadequate trip of a mile and five," Mullins said. “Again, horses for courses and the Mees (owners) have come on board now. Hopefully he can strike at Galway. He ran twice there last year and will probably be kept busy. “There is a two-mile hurdle on the Friday that he might run in as well. He’s very versatile and Rob (James) is great value for 7lb. He’s a hardy horse that takes a bit of encouragement.” In addition to that Galway success, Crowns Major also has a Punchestown bumper and a Cork maiden hurdle in the book. Additional reporting by Alan Magee
