Sligo - Tue 12 May 2026
A well-bred son of Blue Point, FIRST ASCENT was acquired from Godolphin by Matt Smith and showed plenty of ability on the Flat last year. He was placed in a couple of good-ground maidens at Down Royal, which were won by useful types, and was found to be lame when pulled up on his debut for Gordon Elliott in a Roscommon hurdle in September. Given plenty of time to recover from that setback, he can take this under Josh Williamson. Hey Now ran well in a bumper and the form of his hurdling debut fifth at Clonmel is working out well. Useful if frustrating on the Flat, Game Point is another to note on his switch to jumping.
BROSNA QUEEN won a bumper last summer and can improve from her first completed start over hurdles at Fairyhouse. The daughter of Getaway lost ground at the start and was hampered by a faller, but was still on the heels of the leaders on the approach to the straight. Sonny Carey's charge weakened from that point on ground softer than ideal, but she can build on the run and this is a less competitive contest. On her latest two starts in August, Beir Bua won a bumper at Wexford and was second on hurdling debut at Kilbeggan. Lumiere Du Large went the wrong way for Willie Mullins last season and has switched to Gordon Elliott.
A competitive contest with several unexposed types and BLUE MOON BOY looks interesting on his handicap debut. A dual winner on the Flat last year, he holds a mark of 73 in that sphere and an initial hurdles rating of 93 may prove to be lenient. After his win over 1m3f at Killarney in October, trainer Andrew Kinirons reported that he had already done plenty of schooling and he can leave behind his winter maiden form on this better ground. Now tried in cheekpieces, Centaq represents a resurgent stable and was runner-up for a third time in handicaps at Kilbeggan last month. Twice a winner over fences, Lakefield Flyer has a 15lb lower hurdles mark and runs well fresh.
Gordon Elliott has found a weak contest for SPECULATEUR and it will be a major surprise if the five-year-old doesn't avail of this opportunity. The No Risk At All gelding has been placed on all five starts over hurdles and drops in class here. He was taken out at Downpatrick on Friday due to a stone bruise, but it was clearly nothing serious and he can score for odds-on backers. The Great Deceiver, whose trainer had a winner at Cork on Sunday, cost 70,000 euros as a three-year-old and is out of an unraced sister to Big Buck's. Red Or White was second in a maiden here last summer and has place claims again.
LADIAM has gained both previous wins over C&D and should go close if near peak fitness on her return after a lengthy winter break. The Norman Lee-trained mare has been generally consistent since including when runner-up at Ballinrobe. Ilbdare has also shown a liking for this venue and gained his only previous win when justifying strong support over an extended 3m1f on this corresponding card last year. It will be interesting to see if the market speaks in his favour returning after a break. Button Rock now wears blinkers after disappointing on handicap debut, while Darragh O'Keeffe is a notable booking on Mother Ship.
THE MIRACLE MAN was adding to a course win when successful over 3m at Fairyhouse last year. The selection has made the frame on his latest four starts including when third behind The Lovely Man at Gowran and may appreciate this sounder surface. Gerrys Wish is an obvious threat after going close twice over 3m last autumn, including when caught on the line at Galway, while Ballyglass Beauty's three victories for Liam Cusack include a C&D success. He joined Cian Collins earlier this year and went close when fitted with cheekpieces at Clonmel last month, while Evans Secret has been absent since a C&D win last July.
IN A SONNET was purchased for 135,000 pounds after winning a point-to-point at Maisemore Park but disappointed on his debut under Rules in a Navan bumper earlier this year. The testing ground may not have suited the son of Poet's Word, and he's given another chance to show his worth. Bravewave stepped forward from his debut at Thurles when placed behind warm favourite Gillane at Bellewstown last month and looks the chief threat. There is little to choose between Some See Stars and Seven Towers on running behind With Nolimit at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day.
CASUAL WATER showed little on debut but he didn't go off a big price in a race with a pair of very useful yardsticks and he is expected to leave that effort behind here. The drop in trip will suit given he has some Flat speed in his pedigree and so will the quicker surface. First Ascent showed a useful level of form on the Flat and is easily forgiven his only hurdles run where he went wrong. He looks a big player for a top yard and can chase the selection home ahead of Hey Now who sets the standard on hurdles form.
Lumiere Du Large sets the standard on her French form but she has been struggling since a move to these shores. A change of stables could see her return to form but BEIR BUA is preferred. The bumper winner looked a winning in waiting over hurdles when runner up to a more experienced rival on her hurdle debut last summer. She is fancied to make a winning return at the expense of the consistent Louie's Folly who should appreciate the drop in trip.
BOWGATE STREET has an abysmal strike rate but her sole victory to date came over C&D off 5lb higher. She has been holding her form well in defeat of late and is chosen to snap her long losing run at the expense of the frustrating Sidiriya who should get her desired pace to aim at. If he gets a run then Jr Mahon could prove the biggest danger having shown improved form on his final qualifying run.
SPECULATEUR can outclass this line up. The point winner has placed on all 5 hurdle starts to date and in much better races than this on varying ground. The form of Idaho Expresso's point win has had knocks but she has a good jockey booked for her hurdles debut and may prove the biggest danger. Red Or White has an experience edge and will appreciate the step back up in trip. He can fill the places in a weak contest.
BUTTON ROCK stopped quickly last time but he did travel well for a long way and he's entitled to come on for that first outing of the year. He looks on a good mark based on his maiden form and if the first time blinkers bring an improved finishing effort he can shed his maiden tag. Love Like This is probably a bit flattered by her last rating but she did prove competitive off higher marks over the winter and the longstanding maiden has run well here before. She can fight for a place with another maiden Mother Ship who has at least shown a consistent level of form.
The consistent THE MIRACLE MAN brings in some strong winter form and is fancied to register a second course victory. He was given a bit too much to do last time where he shaped as if in need of a return to 3m and he will be suited by this quicker ground. Jumping Susie returned to form over fences last time and is on a dangerous mark on her best recent form in that sphere. She's unexposed at 3m and could fill the places with consistent maiden Gerrys Wish.
SEVEN TOWERS has shaped with promise on 2 of his 3 starts to date and brings in some of the strongest form. The drying ground is a big positive and this looks weaker than his recent assignment. He can register a first victory at the expense of point winner In A Sonnet who was too keen on his rules debut but should be capable of much better for his top stable. Bravewave improved under a positive ride last time and a repeat of that can see him fill the places.
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