April 17 / 18.00 Ballinrobe

18.00

Soft

McGrath Limestone Works Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £10243.48
  • 2m 0f 174y
  • 14 runners
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McGrath Limestone Works Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

Form: 5P1-2 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 242349 CD

Last run: 167 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
One of two for trainer; C&D maiden hurdle winner on this card last year (good); mixed hurdles and the Flat with no success since and was soundly beaten on handicap debut at Down Royal when last seen in November; dropped 2lb and Kennedy picks him over Miss Manzor, but others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

28th Jul 2026

Good

2m 2f 54y

17:10 Galway

Arch Empire

11st 12lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

1-13 and rated 117 over hurdles; below best in that sphere in 2026 and moderate run in Flat maiden at Killarney on latest; best watched on chase debut.

20/1

5th

2

(11)

14th Jul 2026

Good

1m 6f 55y

20:10 Killarney

Arch Empire

11st 12lb

J: Mr H C Swan

T: Gordon Elliott

Recent efforts over hurdles a little underwhelming but earned a mark of 84 after three good runs in Flat maidens last year, including when third in this race; major player if able to run up to that form.

7/2

8th

3

14th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 165y

15:20 Downpatrick

Arch Empire

11st 6lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Gordon Elliott

Ballinrobe maiden hurdle winner last August; shaped with promise at big odds in hot handicap at Punchestown on penultimate and 4lb lower now but needs to bounce back from poor novice hurdle effort at Wexford 18 days ago.

14/1

Form: 10P-73 CD BF

Last run: 319 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Dual Flat winner had back-to-back successes over hurdles in 2024, in a C&D maiden hurdle (yielding to soft) and a Listed handicap at Listowel off 116 (2m, soft); unseen since finishing a 3l third at Listowel in June (2m, good); chance if ready, but it's a long layoff.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

22nd Aug 2026

Good

2m 6f 80y

15:10 Killarney

Frankendael

10st 11lb

J: Daniel King

T: E McNamara

Dual winner over hurdles; not beaten far when stepped up to this trip in a handicap hurdle here last month; worth another try but others make more appeal

12/1

6th

8

17th Jul 2026

Good

2m 6f 180y

14:32 Killarney

Frankendael

11st 1lb

J: G B Noonan

T: E McNamara

Both hurdle wins have been at around 2m on soft ground; tame enough Listowel effort last month at similar trip, now takes a marked step up in distance and others look more likely.

16/1

6th

4

1st Jun 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

14:57 Listowel

Frankendael

11st 7lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: E McNamara

Lightly raced since winning a Listed handicap here in September 2024; back from an absence, he was a much bigger price than Putapoundinthejar at Punchestown in April and duly finished well behind the Martin horse.

5/1

Form: 322120 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Won a Killarney novice hurdle and second (beaten 7.5l) in a Down Royal handicap, both over 2m1f on yielding ground last autumn; may come on from his first run back at Cork earlier this month when weakened into tenth.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

1st Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 175y

14:37 Galway

Wholelotofbusiness

11st 2lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

Killarney novice hurdle winner last October has run well at times in defeat since, notably back at that track in May; poor behind Spy at Listowel since so questions.

18/1

8th

3

1st Jun 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

14:57 Listowel

Wholelotofbusiness

11st 8lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

Won a novice at Killarney in October (2m1f, yielding) and probably posted a similar effort when third in a handicap there last month; solid chance off an untouched mark.

4/1

3rd

5

9th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 0y

15:00 Killarney

Wholelotofbusiness

10st 11lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

One of two for trainer; in decent form in the second half of last year, placing three times before gaining a C&D novice hurdle win (yielding); another positive effort when placed at Down Royal next time (2m1f, yielding) off 1lb lower; may come on for moderate return at Cork last time (2m3f, yielding).

10/1

Form: 8/64P- D

Last run: 398 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
One of two for trainer; Flat/hurdles winner in France won over hurdles in 2024 for Willie Mullins and some good runs in defeat afterwards; moderate chase runs and was tailed off in a Curragh handicap when last seen in May; makes stable debut now and is stable second string.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

15:02 Cartmel

Miss Manzor

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Gordon Elliott

Useful as juvenile hurdler for Willie Mullins but didn't take to fences; three recent runs for Gordon Elliott haven't been great, but not ruled out.

10/1

6th

3

14th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 2f 185y

14:50 Downpatrick

Miss Manzor

11st 8lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Gordon Elliott

Useful juvenile hurdler for Willie Mullins but didn't take to fences; beaten 20l in similar contest at Ballinrobe last month on second start for yard.

12/1

5th

4

26th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

19:00 Ballinrobe

Miss Manzor

11st 1lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Gordon Elliott

Has struggled in three different categories (hurdle/Flat/chase) on her last three starts; needs to show signs of a revival before becoming a betting proposition again.

16/1

Form: 16-4 D BF

Last run: 159 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Flat winner made an immediate impact sent hurdling when successful in a Navan maiden hurdle in March last year (2m, heavy); way below that in a Naas novice hurdle next time (2m, good to yielding); posted some decent efforts on the level over summer/autumn but tailed off in a Naas novice hurdle (6-4 favourite) when last seen (2m, soft to heavy); makes stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

10

15th Jun 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

16:40 Kilbeggan

Positive Energy

11st 12lb

J: Shane Fitzgerald

T: Brian Francis Cawley

Maiden hurdle winner at Naas last year (2m, heavy); held form on the Flat during the summer but has been below form in last four outings over hurdles and fences; others preferred.

33/1

5th

4

8th Jun 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 100y

18:18 Roscommon

Positive Energy

11st 2lb

J: Shane Fitzgerald

T: Brian Francis Cawley

Flat and maiden hurdle winner for Michael O'Callaghan; hard to fancy on the back of two runs for this stable; beaten 56l when 150-1 in Ballinrobe beginners' chase latest.

66/1

9th

8

25th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 54y

18:05 Ballinrobe

Positive Energy

11st 12lb

J: Mr P J Cawley

T: Brian Francis Cawley

Dual-purpose; 1-17 over hurdles and rated 117; heavy defeat on debut for this yard in Punchestown handicap hurdle 24 days ago; unproven at this trip; best watched in first chase.

16/1

Form: 5F0-9P D

Last run: 92 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Back-to-back novice handicap hurdle winner at Gowran (2m, yielding) and Punchestown (2m1f, soft) in 2024; struggled off revised mark in three subsequent runs; reverts to timber following two moderate efforts in beginners' chases; needs to come back to his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

14th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 159y

19:50 Clonmel

Sonny May

11st 5lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Denis Hickey

Career highlights when winning back-to-back handicap hurdles at Gowran and Punchestown in November 2024; a long way below his best in a light 2025 campaign that included two poor runs over fences; well held by Theflyingbee on Punchestown running.

25/1

15th

16

1st May 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 45y

19:10 Punchestown

Sonny May

11st 8lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Denis Hickey

C&D win in November 2024 (soft) was a second hurdling success; didn't set the world alight in subsequent runs including when well beaten at the festival here last season; reverts to hurdles after two poor chase runs this term; needs to bounce back to form.

33/1

Form: -48000 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Galway specialist with four of his five Flat wins and both hurdle successes coming there; long way below his best in hurdle runs since fourth at his favourite track at last year's festival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

2nd Aug 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 160y

13:50 Galway

Teed Up

11st 10lb

J: Alan O’Sullivan

T: Emmet Mullins

Won this 2022 & 2023 and bids for third win on the back of a fine third of 20 in Connacht Hotel QR Handicap here on Monday, staying on well after not clear run; below best on flat here on Friday, questionable whether he'll turn out for a third time this week.

6/1

5th

3

(5)

31st Jul 2026

Yielding

1m 6f 14y

20:40 Galway

Teed Up

9st 9lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: Emmet Mullins

Six-time course winner bounced back to form with an excellent effort in the QR handicap here on Monday, beaten just 1.25l off 88; this trip possibly on the sharp side but loves it here and not discounted for place purposes.

9/2

3rd

15

(13)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 179y

18:40 Galway

Teed Up

11st 6lb

J: Mr B T Stone

T: Emmet Mullins

Course specialist, four of his five Flat wins and both hurdle wins here; highlight when a winning favourite in this race in 2023; scored at a more modest level at last year's meeting, despite almost falling when clipping heels in the dip; rash to ignore; good point-to-point rider claims 7lb.

12/1

Form: F-6P25

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Without a win since December 2023; back on song when a 1.25l second at Naas in February (2m, heavy) but weakened late when upped to 2m3f back there latest; seems best on very testing ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

8th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 10y

15:30 Naas

Catch The Beast

11st 1lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: Edward Cawley

Sole win from 15 starts came at Punchestown in 2023 off 105; didn't run badly on seasonal return in a Listed handicap hurdle here (2m4f, heavy) but stopped quickly and pulled up at Navan next time (2m4f, soft to heavy); ran one of his best races last time when headed late on into second here (2m, heavy); return to this trip is no issue and place chance with a repeat.

17/2

Form: 070-21 D

Last run: 210 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Point and bumper winner left poor form over hurdles behind when runner-up on handicap debut at Galway off 105 after stepping up markedly in trip to 2m6f (good); built on that to win a Downpatrick maiden hurdle when last seen in September (2m2f, yielding); has run well after a break before, but this trip looks on the short side.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

3

2nd Aug 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 60y

14:20 Galway

High Court Cave

11st 9lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

Runner-up in 2m6f handicap at last year's festival before winning 2m2f maiden at Downpatrick (yielding); has struggled a bit since in handicaps and others look better handicapped right now.

16/1

5th

3

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 2

15:37 Cartmel

High Court Cave

11st 4lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

Won maiden hurdle at Downpatrick in September (2m2f, yielding); fair form in two handicaps since; interesting with cheekpieces now tried.

10/1

6th

3

30th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 80y

16:26 Listowel

High Court Cave

11st 12lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

Point and bumper winner added a hurdles win at Downpatrick in September (2m2f, yielding); creditable return to action at Punchestown earlier this month when seventh of 24 (2m, yielding), shaping as though he would improve; not ruled out.

12/1

Form: 32591S BF

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Added a third hurdle win at Naas in February off 110 (2m, heavy), beating Catch A Beast by 1.25l; raised 6lb but sent off the 100-30 favourite at Wexford last time and slipped up early in the race; mark could still be workable and he's in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

21st May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 176y

17:48 Limerick

Give Him A Chance

11st 12lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Added a third hurdles win at Naas in February (2m, heavy); slipped up early at Wexford next time; seventh of ten completed finishers for his chase debut at Kilbeggan last time (2m7f, good to yielding); a bit to find on hurdles ratings against these.

12/1

7th

4

24th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 70y

18:59 Kilbeggan

Give Him A Chance

11st 12lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Course winner over hurdles (2m4f good) last summer; gained his third hurdles win in February; mishap at Wexford last time, when slipping up early.

14/1

Abandoned

Form: 581742 C

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Winner of a 2m2f maiden hurdle here last September (soft); moderate in two runs subsequently before springing a surprise at 40-1 in a Punchestown conditions hurdle (2m, heavy); more middling starts before winning off 113 in a Punchestown handicap in January (2m, heavy); well beaten in two February runs but a good runner-up finish off 1lb lower at Navan last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

22

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 58y

14:30 Punchestown

Sopelana

11st 4lb

J: Kevin Healy

T: Cian Collins

Has had a busy time since sent hurdling last August; three wins include two over 2m at this venue, including in a handicap with this rider aboard; form has been uneven; bounced back from a dismal Fairyhouse run when second at Navan, again for this rider.

14/1

2nd

2

21st Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 0y

14:32 Navan

Sopelana

11st 1lb

J: Kevin Healy

T: Cian Collins

Has had a busy time of it since sent hurdling last August; three wins include a Punchestown handicap with this rider aboard; form has been uneven; has to bounce back from a dismal Fairyhouse run.

10/1

Form: 169356 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Limerick maiden hurdle winner (2m, heavy) in November; has run well in a couple of handicaps, although too keen and didn't get home on latest at Gowran; needs to settle better; beaten over 15l when fourth of six at Limerick on Thursday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

31st Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 165y

17:39 Downpatrick

Piccolo Player

10st 10lb

J: Daniel King

T: John Patrick Ryan

Winning hurdler and unexposed over fences; showed some small improvement when third in a Roscommon handicap chase four weeks ago; more needed but far from impossible.

6/1

3rd

5

4th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 142y

19:00 Roscommon

Piccolo Player

11st 12lb

J: Daniel King

T: John Patrick Ryan

Is 1-10 over hurdles and rated 104; two runs over fences; beaten 23l in a handicap chase over this C&D in January off 105; remote third behind progressive Shadow Paddy at Killarney latest; needs to improve plenty on those efforts to take this.

10/1

Form: /P-54P CD

Last run: 278 days

W: 10st 6lb

11 yo Mare

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Two-time winner over hurdles, including at Listed level, but hasn't shown anything in four runs since returning from a mammoth absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

13th Jul 2025

Good

2m 1f 90y

15:00 Sligo

She Is Electric

11st 8lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Norman Lee

Two-time winner over hurdles, including at Listed level, back in 2022; hasn't shown anything in three starts since return from a mammoth layoff; passed over.

28/1

7

9th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 35y

17:08 Roscommon

She Is Electric

10st 9lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Norman Lee

Two-time winner over timber, including at Listed level, back in 2022; hasn't shown enough in two starts since return from mammoth layoff; others appeal more.

33/1

Verdict

It was a good effort to take second at Wexford by French hurdle winner BECASSE given it came after a 519-day absence and that could set him up nicely for this. High Court Cave was a maiden hurdle winner when last seen in September but this trip could be on the short side. Sopelana has a Jekyll and Hyde-type profile but can go well and Give Him A Chance is another of interest. [Denis Harney]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Becasse

POSTDATA:

Sopelana

RP RATINGS (IRE):

High Court Cave

The Irish Sun:

Catch The Beast

TOPSPEED:

Teed Up