Today / 17.15 Kilbeggan

17.15

Good

Midland Breeders Mares Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £6146.09
  • 2m 3f 0y
  • 18 runners
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Midland Breeders Mares Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 18 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 38-704

Last run: 81 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Three-time winner has slipped down to her last successful mark and drops in grade after a decent fourth at Downpatrick when last seen in June; don't discount.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

14th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 2f 185y

14:50 Downpatrick

Tir Og

11st 3lb

J: Calum Hogan

T: E Seymour

Progressed really well in the early part of last season, rising 30lb in the ratings, stemming from three wins and two seconds; well beaten lately and mark is starting to edge back down; cheekpieces.

25/1

12th

6

30th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 80y

16:26 Listowel

Tir Og

11st 7lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: E Seymour

Progressed really well in the early part of last season, rising 30lb in the ratings, stemming from three wins and two seconds; probably too high in the ratings now; unsuited by race conditions at Killarney when tailed off last time; others more likely.

18/1

Form: 61

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 108

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

Form: 401018

Last run: 6 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Has won two of her last four, over 2m2f (good) at Downpatrick and on penultimate at Tramore (16.5f, good); may be on a tough mark now and has stamina to prove for this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 1f 87y

17:37 Down Royal

Small Bucks

11st 9lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: P E Collins

Has won two of her last three starts; scored over 2m2f (good) at Downpatrick in July and went in again at Tramore (16.5f, good) two weeks ago despite not jumping fluently at times; should go well again off 5lb higher.

9/2

1st

4

14th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 80y

18:50 Tramore

Small Bucks

11st 9lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: P E Collins

Gained a second career win on penultimate at Downpatrick (2m2f, good); hiked up 8lb and soundly beaten in much deeper race at Galway; this is easier but has never won off this high a mark.

16/1

Form: 0-9115

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 105

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

Form: 731-6

Last run: 116 days

W: 11st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 107

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

Form: P-8P27 BF

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Is best on good ground and shaped well at Cork on penultimate (2m2f, good) but didn't back it up over C&D on latest; needs to bounce back and the forecast rain is a worry.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

21st Aug 2026

Good

2m 2f 200y

18:05 Kilbeggan

Diamond Tipp

11st 4lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Martin Hassett

Won a Downpatrick maiden hurdle last year for John McConnell; no show in opening two starts for this yard, but her runner-up finish at Cork last time was much better (2m2f, good); Jack Kennedy remains aboard and cheekpieces go on; not ruled out.

12/1

2nd

9

3rd Aug 2026

Good

2m 2f 0y

17:00 Cork

Diamond Tipp

11st 4lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Martin Hassett

Won a Downpatrick maiden hurdle last year for John McConnell; no show in first two starts for this yard and pulled up over 2m4f (good) here on latest; others more convincing.

18/1

Form: 8-4342 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Took a step in the right direction when fourth at Sligo (2m2f, good); built on that when narrowly denied at Bellewstown (20.5f, gd-yld) on latest; nudged up 2lb but is 4lb below her last win and handles any ground; big chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

26th Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 110y

17:00 Bellewstown

Steps In The Sand

11st 7lb

J: E Walsh

T: Ciaran Murphy

Five-time Flat winner has a record of 2-20 over hurdles, including a win over this trip; posted a decent run at Sligo last time over 2m2f and can be involved with the extra 2f to suit.

5/1

Form: 6P-40P

Last run: 55 days

W: 10st 9lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Roscommon maiden hurdle winner last summer has failed to fire in recent starts; pulled up at Cork 55 days ago and a 2lb drop for that is not enough to tempt; cheekpieces discarded.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

10th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 60y

18:15 Cork

Laurie Blue

11st 8lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: E D Delany

Won a weak maiden hurdle at Roscommon last August; only 7l away in a handicap hurdle at Punchestown in May and cheekpieces are now added after a weak finish at Kilbeggan; has the ability to feature.

8/1

Form: -56510

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 8lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Both wins at Sligo; went up 7lb for a decisive win there on penultimate (20.5f, good); held off revised mark back at Sligo on latest (10l behind Steps In The Sand); however, has placed over C&D before off 9lb higher so can't discount.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 180273

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Sole win from 31 starts came at Sligo in May off 7lb lower; ran a nice race over C&D when a 1.5l second in July but below best twice since; needs to bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

19th Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 161y

17:42 Sligo

Bowgate Street

11st 6lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: M Flannery

Inconsistent sort; won off 7lb lower here in May; down the field on her next two starts; a clear second, 11l in front of today's rival Granlahan, at Kilbeggan on penultimate start; failed to reproduce that form at the same venue two weeks later.

8/1

7th

3

24th Jul 2026

Good

2m 2f 200y

18:11 Kilbeggan

Bowgate Street

11st 6lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: M Flannery

Made the breakthrough at Sligo in May (2m2f, good) off 84; soundly beaten in two runs following that but her runner-up finish here last time (2m3f, good) is evidence that she could yet add to her victory.

4/1

Form: 03-4P8

Last run: 55 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Maiden is 0-9 over hurdles; minor promise in a bumper and a couple of maidens but no impression in first three handicaps; eased 3lb for 20l defeat at Cork on latest; more needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

12

10th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

18:50 Cork

Evelyn

10st 10lb

J: Ryan Treacy

T: Mrs Julie Cashin

Pulled up in a handicap last time, but the ground was soft and her previous fourth of 15 in a maiden was here over 2m3f on good ground; possibilities off this mark, given the RPR she posted that day; cheekpieces added.

14/1

2

28th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 200y

18:20 Limerick

Evelyn

11st 9lb

J: Ryan Treacy

T: Mrs Julie Cashin

Has made the frame on her two most recent starts in maidens; likely to be competitive here if running to a similar level of form.

7/1

Form: 295-09

Last run: 90 days

W: 10st 6lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Placed in a couple of maiden hurdles in Britain for Nick Littmoden; beaten over 40l in first two starts for this yard earlier in May and June; freshened up and blinkers go on; can only be watched unless the market speaks.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

5th Jun 2026

Good

2m 6f 90y

20:30 Clonmel

Last Note

11st 5lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: Cian Collins

Runner-up in a bumper and maiden hurdle in UK; beaten a long way at Wexford on stable debut/return and has to improve hugely on that.

16/1

12th

14

16th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

14:05 Wexford

Last Note

10st 9lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Cian Collins

Best hurdle run for Nick Littmoden came in a maiden contest at Market Rasen when a clear second of eight (2m5f, good); took a heavy defeat on handicap debut at Worcester (2m4f, good); more needed on stable debut.

13/1

Form: F95-70 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 5lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Is 4lb below her last win but first two runs since joining this yard have not been her best; beaten 86l over C&D on latest in July; hard to fancy on recent showings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

7

24th Jul 2026

Good

2m 2f 200y

17:40 Kilbeggan

Circus Act

11st 4lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: J P Dempsey

Dual hurdles winner for James Nash, the latest in April last year at Down Royal (2m4f, good) off 2lb higher; signed off with a moderate effort in a Clonmel claiming hurdle for his former stable in May; stable debut for new yard on Flat at Bellewstown was nothing to shout about either.

14/1

9th

9

(7)

3rd Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 37y

20:17 Bellewstown

Circus Act

9st 5lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: J P Dempsey

Dual hurdles winner for James Nash but 0-11 on the Flat; claimed for 5,000euros from Clonmel claiming hurdle in May and debuts for new yard.

16/1

Form: P21-25 CD BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Three decent runs since winning over C&D (gd-yld) in April off 8lb lower, two over hurdles and when second on the Flat at Limerick; ground may have been a bit lively back over hurdles at Ballinrobe latest; return to this C&D a plus, as is the forecast rain; chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

14

10th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 109y

18:27 Ballinrobe

Chemdawg

10st 1lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Took a long time to win a race over hurdles but has been in fine form in recent months; deserved her breakthrough win at Kilbeggan; suffered interference when chasing home an easy winner at Limerick; transferred her form to the Flat when second at 25-1 in a 1m4f contest at the same venue; good chance off a light weight.

7/2

2nd

9

(1)

19th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 70y

20:10 Limerick

Chemdawg

9st 3lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: Oliver McKiernan

Sole Flat win in Roscommon maiden (1m4f, soft) in May 2024; 1-19 over hurdles, that win gained when making all to score decisively at Kilbeggan in April; second in course handicap hurdle on latest but tough mark back on Flat.

12/1

Form: -91184 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Went up 13lb for winning back-to-back at Limerick in May and at Sligo the following month; held off revised mark the last twice at Sligo and Wexford; new cheekpieces need to eke out more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

7th Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 55y

19:36 Wexford

Larkins Lane

11st 1lb

J: Ross Sugrue

T: P J Rothwell

Landed back-to-back successes over thid trip at Limerick and Sligo before anchored by weight increase at Sligo last month; early to write off and the trainer has decided to claim off her here.

8/1

Form: 20-24P

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 0lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Maiden made a promising seasonal reappearance at Wexford but hasn't built on that; beaten 13l when fourth at Downpatrick and then pulled up over C&D latest; has gone well here before but others more convincing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

24th Jul 2026

Good

2m 2f 200y

17:40 Kilbeggan

Demanding Gerry

10st 13lb

J: Conor Smithers

T: James Andrew Fahey

Has a knack for finishing second (runner-up in four of last six starts); filled the second spot again on his return at Wexford in May (2m1f, good to yielding); just fourth at Downpatrick (2m2f, good) last time when outpaced before keeping on; should be thereabouts again.

6/1

4th

9

14th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 165y

16:30 Downpatrick

Demanding Gerry

11st 0lb

J: Conor Smithers

T: James Andrew Fahey

Has finished runner-up in four of last five starts, including on return from 225 days off at Wexford on latest; nudged up another 1lb, but has gone well over C&D before and a leading contender.

13/2

Form: 0-0866

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
First reserve; maiden hasn't been disgraced in her last two starts when sixth at Sligo over 20.5f and 2m2f, both on good ground; minor place chance but more needed to get her head in front.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

13

6th Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 193y

18:20 Sligo

Frontier Rose

10st 13lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Thomas Coyle

Has been getting better with each handicap run this term, and only beaten 8l over 2m4f here last time (third won since, Go To Town fourth) when O'Keeffe rode her for the first time; travelled into it well that day and this trip might suit better.

9/1

Form: /0900-

Last run: 337 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Second reserve; has gone the wrong way since shock debut win at Ballinrobe in May 2024; heavy defeat over fences at Sligo when last seen in October in first-time cheekpieces (discarded).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

1st Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 27y

16:10 Sligo

St Anthonys Corner

11st 1lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Norman Lee

Surprise debut maiden hurdle winner in 2024 but has been mostly disappointing since and needs a revival chasing with cheekpieces added.

22/1

Betting Forcast

10/1 Tir Og, 5/2 Ivana dAlco, 14/1 Small Bucks, 12/1 Del Boys Diva, 11/2 Shirzan, 16/1 Diamond Tipp, 13/2 Steps In The Sand, 40/1 Laurie Blue, 14/1 Andyourbirdcansing, 12/1 Bowgate Street, 28/1 Evelyn, 40/1 Last Note, 25/1 Circus Act, 15/2 Chemdawg, 11/1 Larkins Lane, 16/1 Demanding Gerry, Frontier Rose, St Anthonys Corner

Verdict

Willie Mullins’ handicap debutante Ivana d’Alco won a modest 2m5f Sligo maiden hurdle four weeks ago and can’t be discounted dropped in trip. However, STEPS IN THE SAND went close at Bellewstown last time, she’s ground versatile and she is 4lb below her last win so she gets the nod. Shirzan is feared on her handicap debut while Chemdawg and Tir Og are others to consider in a competitive heat. [Dave Stephens]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Steps In The Sand

The Irish Sun:

Shirzan

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Tir Og

TOPSPEED:

Andyourbirdcansing

POSTDATA:

Steps In The Sand