Ballinrobe - Mon 10 Aug 2026
SOFI'S GIFT shaped with real promise in behind a progressive rival, who went on to follow up at the Galway Festival, when second at Limerick on her hurdling bow. Ciaran Murphy's filly can now reap the rewards of that previous experience to go one place better, although Minella Buoy did go agonisingly close at Killarney and must be given the utmost respect. Nicky Larson finished behind the selection last time but is no back number, nor is the Henry de Bromhead-trained Divine Believer.
In a race lacking depth it looks best to stick with the Willie Mullins-trained HOW'S ELLIE, who left a disappointing hurdling bow behind to fill the runner-up spot over 2m1f here last month. The daughter of Jet Away looks certain to progress again, although she wouldn't need to find bags of improvement on this occasion. Texas Red was far from disgraced at Kilbeggan and might prove to be the main threat, whilst Crystal Mariner tackles an obstacle for the first time having shown a fair level of ability on the Flat.
Daniel King, who rode all four of Mark Molloy's winners last season, takes the mount on KOUER A PRENDRE for the first time and the six-year-old might be able to go one better than on his first two outings in handicap company. The Estejo gelding has been raised a total of 5lb for those promising efforts and drops in trip from 2m4f. Chemdawg represents an in-form stable and has made her own contribution to that by winning at Kilbeggan and filling the runner-up spot over hurdles and on the Flat at Limerick. A dual winner last year, Theanniversary Man wouldn't need to improve much on recent efforts to play a leading role.
COOL SUMMER was no match for an easy winner at Roscommon, but she finished best of the rest in second and the victor has since franked the form in good style at Wexford. She should be in contention off just 1lb higher. Max Meridius was well held in a much stronger grade at Cork, but he would be a real threat if bouncing back to the form that saw him win here on his penultimate start. Eoin Staples claims 5lb off the top-weight Grey Gardens, who would have gotten closer to a breakthrough success at Wexford but for a mistake at the last. Spread The Faith could be one to keep on side after showing more when fourth over fences at Limerick in May.
KILLOWEN HOUSE's fourth-placed finish in a maiden hurdle at the Galway Festival looks a strong form piece of form in the context of this race. The former point-to-point winner steps up in trip for his handicap debut, which could see him in a better light. Dorans Law enjoys his trips to Ballinrobe and he put in some good late work for second place at Wexford latest, despite finishing well in arrears of the winner. He will have no problem with this staying trip. Ladiam can make an impact off a handy weight having hit the frame at Wexford recently, while Lord Ffrench is also noted in a first-time tongue-tie.
The 102-rated KEEP EM QUITE could record a breakthrough success now tried over a new trip. He has finished fifth on three of his four starts over timber, including in handicap company at Wexford last time, and he wouldn't need to find considerable progress back in a maiden. Room For One More is related to a number of winners and although she hasn't pulled up any trees so far, the mare could have more to offer on just her third start for Willie Mullins. Gainsville, who was placed in no less than four point-to-points, ran well for a long way before fading into sixth at Downpatrick, while this assignment could suit fellow point-to-point graduate Scotty Joe.
MOONSHINE GIRL wouldn't be winning out of turn after going close at both Limerick and Roscommon. She stays further than this, which will stand her in good stead if this becomes a real test of stamina. She has been inching up the weights courtesy of those placed efforts but Jack Gilligan's 5lb claim offsets the rise on this occasion. Pilgrims Walk showed that he should have a future in this discipline when staying on well into second on his handicap debut at Kilbeggan, and is now tried in first-time cheekpieces. Cornaroya Rocco hit the woodwork at Killarney and he enters calculations as a result, while the returning Tannery Park is another to consider.
A trappy 3yo hurdle, newcomer Nod Of Approval is of definite interest given he's shown plenty of promise in middle-distance handcaps on the Flat and represents good connections. SOFI'S GIFT has already shown a fair level, though, having run well when second at Limerick on her hurdling debut. Improvement on that can see her off the mark. Nicky Larson, one place behind the selection at Limerick, is open to improvement and comes in as third third.
This can go to the Willie Mullins-trained HOW'S ELLIE, who is coming off a much-improved effort when runner-up over slightly further at the course on her second hurdles run. Any further progress should be enough to see her off the mark. Texas Red isn't that far behind on form and now gets new headgear, so rates the danger, with Crystal Mariner coming in as third choice with him having shown useful form on the Flat.
Houndsworth remains 8lb above his last winning mark but he's capable of a good run if jumping better than last time. The selection, though, is KOEUR A PRENDRE, who has finished runner-up on both starts in handicaps, including at Kilbeggan last time, and looks capable of overcoming a 2lb rise to get off the mark. Chemdawg has been in fine form under both codes and comes in as third choice from the bottom of the weights.
Let's go with the mare COOL SUMMER, who is coming off a good second at Roscommon despite having plenty go wrong - she was too keen and hampered. This is certainly competitive but she's the percentage play. Former C&D winner Max Meridius wasn't at his best last time but could bounce back, making him the danger, while Sidiriya is a player on the form of her Clonmel second from two starts back.
RUN FOR THE BORDER rates the likely winner of this competitive handicap with her having been made a little too much use of last time but earlier finishing a fine second over slightly shorter here. The danger may well be Killowen House, who showed up well when fourth at big odds in a maiden hurdle at the Galway Festivasl. Now handicapping, he has more to offer. Down Around is best of the rest if returning to autumn Punchestown form.
Western Shores needs considering in an open race with her almost certainly capable of better now in a first-time tongue-tie, but it's GAINSVILLE who is the selection. He shaped well over a similar trip at Downpatrick and has lots of experience in bumpers which should stand him in good stead in this big field. Keep Em Quite comes in as third choice having run well in a handicap over further last time.
Tannery Park returns from a long absence was a winner over C&D when last seen and he could have a say if not. The selection, though, is MOONSHINE GIRL, runner-up the last twice, including over further at Roscommon last time. She's still on a good mark and can go one better here. The biggest threat might come from Cornaroya Rocco. He's coming off a 40-1 second at Kilbeggan and might just be improving - he's only had seven starts.
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