Ballinrobe - Fri 8 May 2026
DIVELMENT is in here off a nice weight. The Cotai Glory gelding has run well on his last couple of outings at Dundalk and is tried in a visor, having previously worn blinkers and cheekpieces. He's rated 69 and gets a nice chunk of weight from the top five, who aren't in to be claimed. Incredible Army was a winner at Dundalk back in February, but has been well held on two starts since. He's nicely weighted as well, particularly with a 7lb claimer on board. Personified has some solid form to her name, but has to give weight away to those who are available to claim.
GLAMAZON may be able to get the job done in first-time cheekpieces. She hasn't been too far away this year and was a well-backed favourite when fourth in handicap company at Limerick last time. Getting the fillies' allowance in this restricted maiden is a help and it looks like a fairly weak affair. Maxminelli weakened late on on his return in testing conditions at Navan. Slightly better ground and the application of a tongue-tie may help him. Pass The Buck wasn't disgraced when mid-division in a handicap at the Curragh on his return and could play a part in this company.
CRACKING CLOUD shaped nicely on his debut at Gowran Park last month and may be able to step forward. The Cracksman gelding was under pressure before the straight, but picked up well in the closing stages to finish third to Purple Moon. He was only a nose behind runner-up Mano Chicago at the line and should improve past him. Johnny Murtagh's charge has been fifth in handicap company since and is tried in blinkers now, while Navinsky gets cheekpieces after a poor run on his return at the Curragh. He'd be a big player if coming back to the form of his Navan performance last September.
TENACIOUS didn't help herself by drifting left in the closing stages at Gowran Park the other day and may be able to strike now with cheekpieces applied. The Ten Sovereigns filly just lost out close home in a good three-way finish and there looks to be a race in her off this mark. Balance Of Trade has run a couple of solid races recently and he is a potential danger as he takes a step back up in trip. Meriden hinted at some ability on her first couple of maiden runs and could be one to note on her handicap debut.
LOUGH LEANE has a nice low draw and may be able to make the breakthrough for Maurice Ahern. The Cityscape gelding won six in England and has been knocking on the door since joining the Mallow handler. It was a solid effort to finish fourth at Gowran Park and he remains on the same mark. Merlin The Wizard is another with obvious claims after a couple of decent runs. It looked like a more competitive event in which he was fifth at Leopardstown last time and connections claim off him now. Expound won this 12 months ago, but needs to improve on his recent showing at Limerick.
MAJESTIC KING looks hard to oppose under a penalty after hosing up at Gowran Park on Tuesday evening. The Kingman gelding was eased up late on by Joey Sheridan after shooting clear a furlong from home and the handicapper looks sure to give him a fair hike for that performance. Jawhary gained a deserved success at Dundalk and Sam Coen takes 5lb off to offset his rise for that win. He may be the one to give the selection most to do. She's Ideal ran a big race when edged out by a neck at Sligo five days ago and is another who is respected.
Grade 1-winning hurdler BALLYADAM can add another feather to his cap by bagging a Flat triumph. The Fame And Glory gelding was last seen running a fine race to finish fourth in the BetMGM Cup at Cheltenham and still retains plenty of ability. He was third in a couple of all-weather maidens over the winter and can strike now on the level again. The Joseph O'Brien-trained Diligo looks like the potential danger. This Wootton Bassett colt shaped nicely when fourth on his debut at Gowran Park last month and is entitled to improve. Trojan Fighter has run with promise in a couple of maidens already this year and has to be on the shortlist.
JUSTENZIA bumped into a nicely-handicapped rival in Matt Connor on her return at Gowran Park last month and may be able to score now. The daughter of Ghaiyyath made the winner work for his victory and a 4lb rise doesn't look harsh. Superficial got 6lb for finishing runner-up in Bellewstown last time. Similarly, he looked to meet a well-treated rival in Putapoundinthejar, with the front two pulling well clear, and the third has scored since. Satono Chevalier gained a deserved victory last time, but may be vulnerable to improvers.
This does not look a strong contest and DIVELMENT may be able to make his greater experience and recent thirds count if the first-time visor has the desired effect. The Coolmore-owned Personified has shown ability in flashes and, although still looking raw mentally, this represents a realistic opportunity to get more competitive for Joseph O'Brien. Moon Aura remains open to improvement after a couple for Jessica Harrington and the move up in trip may help unlock a bit more.
A modest maiden in which GLAMAZON gets the tentative nod. She has shown about enough in her 10 starts to suggest a contest like this is within reach and the longer trip could bring about a bit more improvement. Cascade Canyon has yet to convince over this sort of distance but may still be capable of better than he has shown recently. Maxminelli did not appear to stay in testing ground last time and could fare better back on a sounder surface with first-time headgear applied.
MANO CHICAGO shaped encouragingly since his return from a long absence and, with a couple of solid runs behind him plus first-time blinkers applied, he may have enough class to take this. Cracking Cloud made a pleasing start at Gowran Park and looks the type to improve for experience and this extra emphasis on stamina. Wild Sapphire didn't run to market expectations last time when fifth, but is capable of better than he showed there, and could be in contention again.
BALANCE OF TRADE has been shaping as though this longer trip would suit and, after a solid effort last time when third at Bellewstown, may be ready to take another step forward. Tenacious returned to form when beaten by half-a-length at Gowran and, with cheekpieces now applied, looks a major player if seeing out the extra distance. Point Cartwright has yet to make a serious impact in three starts but this step up in trip could bring improvement.
LOINGSEOIR may appreciate this return to a longer trip and, in a race lacking depth, looks capable of playing a leading role. La Tulipe Noire has been running respectably on her last couple of starts and could stay this far if settling well enough. Merlin The Wizard has been holding his form reasonably well and, from a workable mark, is another with claims in an open affair.
A competitive contest for the grade in which JAWHARY is taken to follow up after returning to winning ways in good style at Dundalk. The revised mark makes life tougher, but he remains one of the more solid options in the field. Starting Monday bounced back with a deserved success last time and is respected if able to string two good runs together. She’s Ideal went close at Sligo and, with first-time cheekpieces now fitted, could remain competitive despite the higher mark.
TROJAN FIGHTER did not quite matched the promise of his debut last time out at Cork, but this step up in trip could unlock improvement and his yard has a strong record in the race. Diligo shaped encouragingly on debut and looks likely to appreciate this stiffer stamina test, so is a danger. Battling Siki has shown enough to suggest he can be competitive at this level, particularly back up in distance.
SATONO CHEVALIER arrives in good heart after a convincing success at Navan and, with this longer trip unlikely to pose an issue, he can make another bold bid despite the higher mark. Amplitude is an interesting runner now trying this distance for the first time and could have more to offer than he has shown so far. Pillar Of Hope is better judged on his earlier efforts and may fare much better now returned to a more suitable stamina test.
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