Kilbeggan - Fri 10 Jul 2026
BELLADABALL won a Listed mares-only bumper at Fairyhouse in April before being pitched into a Grade 3 event at Punchestown when last seen. Based on that promise, she should have a bright future over hurdles. Brave Lady has also shown ability by being placed in three bumpers and a big run wouldn't be surprising. Willie Mullins is double-handed, with Paul Townend on Luciole Des Bordes who was keen in fifth on hurdle debut at Tramore. She is likely to improve markedly, while Ivana D'alco is a point-to-point winner who has be of interest on her her Rules debut. Reserve Fastnet Crystal would be a big player if getting a run.
IMARAJAN responded well to first-time cheekpieces to fill the runner-up berth over a similar trip here in May and could go one better. Better ground holds no fears for this graduate from the Flat, who could be tough to overhaul with the headgear is retained. Codger's Rock is another that performed creditably when second at this venue in May. That was over a shorter trip and, with cheekpieces deployed, he looks a significant player given the form has been franked by the third winning since. His stablemate, Chantilly Wings, has snippets of form to give him a chance and he is noted with a first-time tongue-tie tried.
THECOMPANYSERGEANT has a very good record at this course and arrives in good form after winning at Clonmel last month. The capable Eoghan Finegan reduces the top-weight's burden by claiming 5lb and improvement is plausible with blinkers utilised for the first time. The well-related Gameball steps up in trip after keeping on for third in Punchestown. He is notable having already bagged a bumper and a maiden hurdle. It would also be dangerous to disregard Grann's Boy who is on a good mark with Patrick O'Brien taking off 5lb. Faceman loves it here and won over further in May, while the last-time-out winners Paul's Dream, Littlefoot and Ad Caelum help make this a competitive contest.
NATIVE SPEAKER returned to action with a bang in the Mayo National at Ballinrobe and he could follow up. That outing in May was his first appearance for almost five months, where he got into a lovely rhythm from the front, and he could take all the beating if dictating the pace once more. Uncle Pat proved a decisive winner over a marathon trip in Punchestown in which the handicapper gave him a 12lb rise. Improvement will probably be necessary off his new mark, but that is certainly not beyond him. Raglan Road has won two of his last three races over fences and is building his experience in this sphere, so should give Harry Cobden a good spin.
FRANCISCAN ROCK has been keeping good company over hurdles and could appreciate reverting to fences in this grade. There was plenty to like about his runner-up spot over flights in the BetMGM Cup at the Cheltenham Festival. When last seen in beginners' chases at Gowran Park and Thurles in 2025, he posted third places and that form has been franked. Orkneys Jack is a point-to-point graduate that could go nicely. He won 'between the flags' at Ballingarry and there was merit in his third place on chasing debut over a shorter trip at this track. Charlie Luciano has shown enough to be involved and ought to be pitching for prize money, while Kevin's Pride isn't out of it.
SCATHACH appreciated better ground when third in a mares' maiden hurdle at Sligo and this lightly-raced sort could find the necessary improvement required. Danny Gilligan is an eye-catching booking for the Affinisea mare. Georginas Jet stayed on well to win in Downpatrick and didn't run badly in fourth over further at Bellewstown. Tony Martin and Daniel King teamed up to land a good pot at Bellewstown last Saturday and they have claims with top-weight Goin'. This Nathaniel gelding has winning form on good ground on the Flat in Germany. Kentucky Bluebird showed much more in fourth at Wexford and could build upon that for Gavin Cromwell, while Granlahan and Boston Bobby will both have their supporters.
This is competitive for the grade. Tannery Park should be checked for market strength as he delivered when last seen in Ballinrobe more than a year ago and that form has been franked. ISLAND MCCOO won over an extended 3m at this track last month and that was a step up from a runner-up berth in Limerick. He should be competitive off 5lb higher. Knocknagoran Lady was a ready winner in Limerick and a 9lb hike may not stop her getting involved at the business end. Love Like This was a long-standing maiden before she made the breakthrough over a staying trip here and is another with a chance. Down Around has to defy top-weight, but that is not insurmountable.
Willie Mullins holds a strong hand here with Ivana d'Alco and LUCIOLE DES BORDES. The former's point win has been boosted in the same discipline so she is respected on her rules debut but the latter looks the stable first string on jockey bookings. She proved consistent in bumpers and ran well for a long way on her hurdle debut before her stamina gave out over 2m5f having raced freely. She is expected to make significant improvement if settling over this shorter trip. Belladaball was successful at Listed level in bumpers and looks the biggest danger to the pair on her hurdling debut.
A tight maiden can go to dual purpose performer IMARAJAN who retains the cheekpieces after bouncing back to form when runner up in them last time. His early maiden form has been franked and he's proven himself versatile ground wise so is chosen ahead of the inconsistent Penny Express. She brings in an experience edge but has looked a tricky ride at times. All Night Revival should appreciate the drop back to 2m and could fill the final place on the podium.
LITTLEFOOT was a recent chase winner here and is potentially thrown in on his return to hurdling. He went close at Punchestown last spring in this discipline and notably all of his best form has come at around 2 1/2m on quick ground. Nelson Muntz's only victory in this discipline came over 2m here and he looks well treated on his best winter form. After returning to form on the Flat last time he looks the main challenger along with the steadily progressive Paul's Dream who remains on a workable mark judged on her Grade 2 form.
YORADREAMER was only caught late by Raglan Road last time having got racing too early and is expected to reverse the form here. The quick ground will suit and he should be able to get a lead here. His re-opposing rival looks a huge player as he remains completely unexposed as a stayer and is open to further improvement if brushing up on his jumping. Uncle Pat justified strong support at Punchestown last time and had plenty left in the tank that day. The stablemate of the selection has gone up 12lb but is the first string on jockey bookings and should also go close.
FRANCISCAN ROCK is yet to match his hurdles form over fences but he reached a high level in that discipline and still sets a clear standard here. He's not fully exposed in chases and will have his optimum conditions of 3m on good ground so should outclass this line up. Point winner Orkneys Jack shaped well here on his chase debut and ought to relish this step up in trip. He can chase the selection home ahead of the largely consistent if a touch frustrating Scalpnagoon who has his stamina to prove.
GOIN' placed at Listed level on the Flat in Germany and he remains unexposed for this yard over hurdles. His latest run is worth marking up as he was given too much to do ridden to see out the trip. Dropped back in distance he can account for the unexposed Scathach who starts out in handicaps off a potentially lenient mark having placed in a maiden last time. In form Georginas Jet is a strong stayer at the trip and will also be a threat if getting a stiff test.
ANOTHER GLENDAARS looks well treated on her debut run and hinted at better last time when given too much to do ridden to see out the trip over 2m5f. He flew home up the Downpatrick hill that day so should relish this step up to 3m. He is chosen to defeat Tannery Park who has a long absence to overcome but was a cosy winner when last seen. He is another who should improve for the step up to staying trips and his jockey booking suggests a big run is expected. Knocknagoran Lady got off the mark in decisive fashion last time and may have a bit more to offer now she's had her head in front. She can also play a part in the finish.
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