April 11 / 17.47 Ballinrobe

17.47

Good

McGrath Limestone Works Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £9752.07
  • 2m 0f 185y
  • 8 runners
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McGrath Limestone Works Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.60

Form: /21119 D

Last run: 111 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Hurdling career gained momentum in a major way for new yard last autumn with wins in Downpatrick maiden, handicap at Cheltenham (2m, good) and novice at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft); well held however in much better-class Ascot handicap in December and has had a break since; often front-runs, which should suit here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

30th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

14:20 Wexford

Impero

11st 12lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: Cian Collins

Smart five-time winner over hurdles and ran well in two useful handicaps in May; 3-1, jumped well out in front before tiring on chase debut over 2m4f at Kilbeggan; could be hard to beat over this trip.

5/2

5th

6

15th Jun 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

16:40 Kilbeggan

Impero

11st 12lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: Cian Collins

Very useful five-time winning hurdler who has put in two promising runs this year when second in competitive Killarney handicap (2m1f, gd) in May off 136 before running to a similar level when beaten 7l into third at Kelso 22 days ago; steps up in trip on chase debut and could be good enough to make a winning start.

5/2

3rd

1

24th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

15:03 Kelso

Impero

12st 0lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Cian Collins

Took this in good style 12 months ago; lightly raced since but advanced his form after nine months off when second of ten in 2m1f handicap at Killarney 15 days ago; up 4lb here but this Irish challenger rates a player.

3/1

13/2

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 55-317 CD BF

Last run: 266 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Does well at this track, having won maiden hurdle and last May landed a beginners chase on good; recent run on the Flat should have brought him on and one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

15th Jun 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 165y

15:50 Downpatrick

Extrapolation

11st 12lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Richard John O’Brien

Won a bumper at this venue and only narrowly denied a third success over timber at Ballinrobe two runs ago; subsequent Flat run worth ignoring and he's feasibly treated; versatile with regards to conditions.

9/2

7th

2

(10)

9th May 2025

Good

1m 4f 202y

19:55 Ballinrobe

Extrapolation

10st 7lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Richard John O’Brien

towards rear throughout

12/1

7th

2

(10)

9th May 2025

Good

1m 4f 202y

19:55 Ballinrobe

Extrapolation

10st 7lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Richard John O’Brien

towards rear throughout

12/1

OUR TIP

13/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 7-1407 C

Last run: 177 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Won a valuable 2m6f handicap here last May (good) and mostly good runs since including on the Flat; plenty keen when last seen in October when well beaten; clearly likes this venue but trip on the short side.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 1

14:45 Market Rasen

Baltic Bird

10st 11lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: William Durkan

Useful Flat and hurdles performer who has gone 0-5 over fences since a winning start in May 2025 and he'll need to run better than he did in a handicap chase at Ballinrobe last time; however, a case can be made off this mark on best form; versatile trip-wise from 2m to beyond 3m.

9/1

6th

16

25th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 80y

18:35 Ballinrobe

Baltic Bird

10st 4lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: William Durkan

Any horse in these colours worth a second look here, and one presumes this has been the plan; useful Flat and hurdles performer and won 2m6f hurdle on this card in 2024; held in novice company last year after winning on chase debut at Down Royal; third over inadequate 2m on handicap debut at Wexford; better for that run and ground and trip to suit, albeit he's up in grade a good bit.

8/1

3rd

5

7th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:08 Wexford

Baltic Bird

11st 9lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: William Durkan

Ground should be coming right for him now; probably needs further than this, and his lack of a recent run is a possible drawback.

12/1

Form: 528581 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 5lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
C&D winner last summer and more recently off the mark chasing in 2m Clonmel beginners last month; in good form, has her ground and acts around here so plenty to like.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 95y

14:30 Punchestown

Flidais

11st 0lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: John Patrick Ryan

Three-time hurdles winner on good to yielding; finished 0.75l behind Spick And Span at Clonmel (2m4f, yielding) before stepping up in trip at Tipperary last time to record a very easy victory (23.5f, good to yielding); up 7lb now and drops back in trip.

3/1

11

2nd Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

15:25 Clonmel

Flidais

10st 2lb

J: Daniel King

T: John Patrick Ryan

Dual hurdles winner is now 7lb below last winning mark; won at Ballinrobe in July last year (2m1f, good to yielding); winner of a beginners' chase here in March over extended 2m; out of form following that; modest third at Ballinrobe last time (2m6f, soft).

7/1

3rd

9

12th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 5y

17:00 Ballinrobe

Flidais

10st 8lb

J: Daniel King

T: John Patrick Ryan

Two hurdle wins include 2m2f handicap here last summer off 103, more recently won Clonmel beginners' chase in March; recent hurdles form however leaves her with plenty to find.

10/1

Form: 6081 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 6yo off the mark at fourth attempt in 2m1f Down Royal maiden last month (better ground, first-time hood) courtesy of the Stewards having been impeded run-in; more likely now entering handicaps although mark looks a tad high.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

7th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 55y

14:32 Punchestown

Glenashling

11st 0lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Gavin Cromwell

One of three for trainer; maiden hurdle winner early last year; runner-up in six-runner Cork contest (2m1f, good to yielding) on handicap chase debut in April; another creditable effort back in a beginners' chase at Wexford (2m, good to yielding) last time, when well ahead of Mister Pink and Karoline Banbou.

13/2

4th

4

7th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

17:02 Wexford

Glenashling

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Maiden hurdle winner early last year; fair form over fences last season, best effort a second placing at Punchestown in November when in front of the useful Coral River; runner-up in a six-runner contest at Cork on handicap debut; officially rated 11lb inferior to Karoline Banbou.

8/1

Form: 0-5982 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 10lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Nine career wins for Barry Murphy and ran well on yard debut following long absence when second in 2m7f Limerick veterans' handicap chase last month; down to his last winning mark so one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

25th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 5y

19:40 Kilbeggan

Pakens Rock

11st 5lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Darren Collins

Three-time course winner, twice over fences in 2023 and won over hurdles here in April; struggled in a better race than this over C&D latest; this easier and can't be dismissed given his liking for this venue.

18/1

11

16th Jun 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 51y

19:48 Kilbeggan

Pakens Rock

10st 0lb

J: P J O’Hanlon

T: Darren Collins

Kilbeggan specialist with a couple of handicap chase wins in 2023 (including this race) and landed 2m2f handicap hurdle in April; fair third off higher chase mark at Ballinrobe since; 3lb wrong here but respected given his record here.

13/2

3rd

7

26th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 136y

19:00 Ballinrobe

Pakens Rock

10st 10lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: Darren Collins

Gained his tenth success (and first for this stable) when taking a handicap hurdle over 2m2f at Kilbeggan a month ago; most recent chase run saw him finish second to Flash De Touzaine at Limerick on stable debut; good chance he can reverse that form and go close in the process.

9/2

Form: 61085F D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Has won back-to-back runnings of valuable Cartmel handicap for the last two summers; easy to back, halfway faller on return from winter break last month at Wexford; may just need this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

21st Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 89y

18:39 Ballinrobe

Fiveonefive

12st 0lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Cian Collins

Has recorded three of his five hurdle starts at Cartmel; below his best there last time; overall Irish form is unconvincing.

10/1

4th

2

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 2

15:37 Cartmel

Fiveonefive

11st 8lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Cian Collins

3-3 here, having won this race for the last three years (good/good to soft); hasn't been in much form this year, but is 2lb lower than for last season's win and one to consider.

5/1

8th

4

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 100y

17:35 Ballinrobe

Fiveonefive

11st 7lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: Cian Collins

Gained a fifth win over hurdles at Cartmel last June but has lost his way since; heavy defeats the last twice at Naas and Aintree; is at least back down to last winning mark, but needs a revival.

22/1

Form: 311137 CD

Last run: 187 days

W: 10st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
In terrific form late last summer on decent ground, winning over fences at Roscommon and Tramore before landing 2m Kilbeggan handicap hurdle; below best on returning from a break at this track the last two seasons and may need this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

30th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

14:50 Wexford

Presenting Lad

10st 6lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Mark Michael McNiff

Dual chase winner but hasn't won since taking a Kilbeggan handicap hurdle in 2024; was second to Femme Magnifique at Tramore and the ground was maybe too soft at Roscommon since; could rebound and be a player.

20/1

10th

6

8th Jun 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 100y

19:18 Roscommon

Presenting Lad

11st 7lb

J: James Smith

T: Mark Michael McNiff

Six wins include two over fences and was runner-up at Tramore ten days ago on good ground; handles these conditions.

10/1

2nd

8

29th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 110y

17:55 Tramore

Presenting Lad

11st 0lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Mark Michael McNiff

Two chase wins in 2024 (including a novice over C&D) but it has been slim pickings since then; no joy in 2025 and modest run at Wexford on return from a break on latest; on a dangerous mark but needs a revival.

22/1

Non-runners

Garrybello, Zoffanien

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €12.90
Straight Forecast €12.90
Tricast €35.48
Trifecta €46.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Zoffanien

POSTDATA:

Flidais

The Irish Sun:

Baltic Bird

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Zoffanien

TOPSPEED:

Zoffanien