August 17 / 19.00 Sligo

19.00

Good

Sligo Chamber Of Commerce & Industry Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5205.88
  • 2m 4f 141y
  • 14 runners
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Sligo Chamber Of Commerce & Industry Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.80
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 322221 D

Last run: 6 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Ended a frustrating run of seconds when bolting up in a handicap hurdle over this trip at Tramore last week; mandatory penalty makes him just 2lb well in but bang in form and a leading contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

16th Sep 2022

Yielding

2m 5f 110y

15:35 Downpatrick

Hes Leading Me On

11st 3lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: L Young

prominent on outer, pressed leader when not fluent 2 out, soon pushed along, led narrowly approaching last, ridden after last, soon headed but kept on, just held second

11/2

1st

5

17th Aug 2022

Good

2m 4f 141y

19:00 Sligo

Hes Leading Me On

11st 11lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: L Young

midfield, headway from 3 out, disputed lead 2 out, led and went clear approaching last, ridden out run-in

7/2

1st

1

11th Aug 2022

Good

2m 4f 110y

20:00 Tramore

Hes Leading Me On

11st 12lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: L Young

held up in midfield, headway and prominent 5th, smooth headway and made challenge 2 out, soon led, ridden clear approaching last, kept on strongly, comfortably

7/4

3/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 4-5812 CD BF

Last run: 34 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Decisive winner of a C&D handicap in July and ran up to that when touched off at Killarney four days later; up 11lb in total but looks capable of being competitive off this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

2

12th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

15:35 Down Royal

Sphagnum

12st 0lb

J: Dillon Maxwell

T: J P Broderick

Much better chaser, winning 3m4f Cork National last season (good); holds a whopping 30lb lower hurdles mark but unable to capitalise on it in three runs over timber this season; must be kept in mind considering his mark.

20/1

2

20th Aug 2025

Good

3m 1f 118y

19:38 Sligo

Sphagnum

11st 7lb

J: Dillon Maxwell

T: J P Broderick

Much better chaser, winning 3m4f Cork National last season (good); unable to capitalise on 25lb lower hurdles mark on return earlier this month at Ballinrobe but entitled to come on for that so has to be respected (previous winner here).

13/2

14/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 487-67

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Some decent bumper form last year but disappointing over hurdles, including on her handicap debut at Wexford two weeks ago; more needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

7th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:30 Worcester

Pour The Wine

11st 5lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Lightly raced veteran; 0-8 over hurdles in Ireland and she's struggled at big prices in two Bangor handicaps (2m7f) for new yard this year; dropped another 4lb but has lots to prove on this big drop back in trip; tongue-tie added.

25/1

2

6th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

16:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Pour The Wine

11st 12lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

0-8 over hurdles in Ireland and, following a long absence, was soundly beaten over C&D on stable debut in April; sports first-time cheekpieces here; needs to have taken significant benefit from that recent outing.

20/1

7th

9

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

18:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Pour The Wine

11st 6lb

J: William Shanahan

T: Jennie Candlish

always behind and didn't always jump with fluency

12/1

Form: 350860

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Returned with a decent effort when a close third in a Wexford handicap hurdle in May; disappointing since and well beaten at Cork 16 days ago when last seen.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

18

7th Aug 2023

Good

2m 2f 150y

15:43 Cork

Beat Of The Sea

10st 13lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: Seamus Fahey

Both hurdle wins have been over this trip at Kilbeggan but latest was nearly three years ago (off 97); tame effort there on latest but penultimate Wexford run okay so don't rule out off basement mark.

14/1

11th

12

21st Jul 2023

Good To Yielding

2m 2f 0y

17:35 Kilbeggan

Beat Of The Sea

10st 13lb

J: Conor Brassil

T: Seamus Fahey

disputed lead, prominent before 2nd

7/1

5th

13

7th Jul 2023

Good

2m 0f 170y

17:40 Wexford

Beat Of The Sea

10st 13lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Seamus Fahey

in touch with leaders

33/1

Form: 064642

Last run: 13 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Took a while to get off the mark on the Flat and a similar story so far over hurdles; best effort latest when second in a 2m2f handicap two weeks ago; the extra 2f is likely to suit and has a decent chance of going one better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

3

11th Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

14:25 Perth

Ballinlough Gale

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Gordon Elliott

midfield, not fluent 4th

11/2

5th

7

30th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 40y

19:00 Ballinrobe

Ballinlough Gale

11st 3lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Only 1-31 overall and 0-15 as a hurdler; however, it's still early days with Gordon Elliott and he hit the frame here four weeks ago off this mark, albeit finishing some 13l off the winner; needs to find extra from somewhere.

7/1

3rd

4

2nd May 2023

Yielding

2m 0f 139y

17:48 Ballinrobe

Ballinlough Gale

11st 10lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Fair sort on the Flat is 0-14 hurdling although went close off this sort of mark on a few occasions last summer on this sort of ground; two most recent efforts well below his best so needs to bounce back but quite possible given the drying ground.

7/1

Form: -11773 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Up 19lb for two wins at Ballinrobe early in the summer; has done her best since but probably needs to come down a little; any rain would help her chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16

26th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 28y

20:00 Ballinrobe

Its Time Again

10st 9lb

J: John Shinnick

T: David Richard Barry

3-25 with all three wins coming at this track, the most recent in April last year off this mark; should be approaching peak fitness after two recent runs and can't be discounted back at her favourite venue.

20/1

13th

7

13th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

19:20 Punchestown

Its Time Again

11st 6lb

J: Alan O’Sullivan

T: David Richard Barry

In good form in 2024-2025; placed at Limerick and Gowran before adding a third hurdling win at Ballinrobe (2m6f, good), all three wins coming at that venue; returned from a 378-day absence with an okay run at Kilbeggan last time; could do better with that outing under his belt.

14/1

6th

6

24th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 154y

18:28 Kilbeggan

Its Time Again

11st 7lb

J: John Shinnick

T: David Richard Barry

In good form in 2024-2025; placed at Limerick and Gowran before adding a third hurdling win at Ballinrobe (2m6f, good), all three wins coming at that venue; unseen since that success just over a year ago; check market.

12/1

Form: 00P-60

Last run: 84 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Ran okay in a Down Royal handicap hurdle over 2m in May before running terribly at Wexford; steps up to this trip and could get into the shake-up if improving from his Down Royal effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

17th Aug 2022

Good

2m 4f 141y

19:00 Sligo

Anseo

11st 0lb

J: Peter Carberry

T: J T R Dreaper

towards rear, lost touch 2 out

16/1

Form: 9-4528

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Winless from 16 starts; best recent run when second to Sphagnum over C&D last month but was unable to back that up at Wexford next time; tongue-tie tried and has an each-way chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

17th Aug 2022

Good

2m 4f 141y

19:00 Sligo

Zaccarela

11st 8lb

J: Niall Moore

T: Philip Fenton

midfield, weakened 2 out

14/1

Form: -4F508

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 8lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Best run in the last 12 months was in a handicap chase here in September; well beaten on his last three starts over hurdles and fences; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

5

1st Aug 2023

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 5

20:30 Perth

Zagnzig

10st 10lb

J: John Shinnick

T: S Wilson

Veteran who is yet to add to his handicap hurdle win in 2018 and has struggled to get competitive this year; now with new stable having previously been owner-trained.

20/1

9th

15

13th Jul 2023

Yielding

2m 5f 170y

17:35 Downpatrick

Zagnzig

10st 13lb

J: Shane Fitzgerald

T: H Smyth

Veteran has been pulled-up over hurdles and fences lately and not easy to make a case for.

50/1

17

17th Jun 2023

Good

2m 5f 60y

14:55 Downpatrick

Zagnzig

11st 3lb

J: Mr Finian Maguire

T: H Smyth

Veteran was second over fences here last summer; has failed to complete last four outings; second reserve.

10th
2
Ciankyle

12/1

Form: 1-0468 C

Last run: 17 days

W: 12st 0lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Most recent win was in a Thurles handicap chase in November; yet to hit form this summer and going down the handicap quite slowly but hard to discount.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

1st Jun 2024

Soft

2m 5f 180y

17:45 Tramore

Ciankyle

10st 10lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: P Cluskey

towards rear, jumped left 4th, detached 5 out

22/1

5th

9

10th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 100y

19:20 Downpatrick

Ciankyle

11st 0lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: P Cluskey

soon chased clear leader, lost second 4th

25/1

5th

9

10th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 100y

19:20 Downpatrick

Ciankyle

11st 0lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: P Cluskey

soon chased clear leader, lost second 4th

25/1

Form: 0-99

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten in a trio of maiden hurdles and hard to fancy here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

13

17th Aug 2022

Good

2m 4f 141y

19:00 Sligo

La Scala Note

10st 11lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Miss J M Lee

midfield, soon dropped to rear, lost touch from 3 out

50/1

Form: 179P-7

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Got off the mark at Downpatrick last summer on just his second start in handicap company; only 2lb higher here but hasn't shown enough in four starts since and he was tailed off on return last month; tongue-tie now on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

10th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

16:25 Market Rasen

Massons Castle

11st 1lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Mike Sowersby

Only win was in 2021; four runs for this yard, beaten a distance into second first time over fences and pulled up in three subsequent outings (the latest over hurdles); no significance in the return of cheekpieces.

66/1

6

10th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

16:25 Market Rasen

Massons Castle

11st 1lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Mike Sowersby

Only win was in 2021; four runs for this yard, beaten a distance into second first time over fences and pulled up in three subsequent outings (the latest over hurdles); no significance in the return of cheekpieces.

66/1

8

2nd Feb 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

15:25 Southwell

Massons Castle

10st 10lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Mike Sowersby

Second on stable debut at Southwell (3m2f, good) last September, beaten a long way; pulled up both starts since, when soft/heavy ground may have been against him; switches back from chasing but sole win came back in June 2021.

20/1

Form: 607-

Last run: 309 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Well held in three starts but those runs haven't been without promise and she has a low mark for handicapping; 309-day absence is a concern; worth a market check.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

13

18th Aug 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 140y

14:33 Tramore

Banada Bridge

11st 0lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Mrs Denise Foster

0-23 over hurdles but she has finished second four times; beaten 5l into second at Leopardstown off 86 in March 2023; went close off 84, 86 and 87 later that year; well-handicapped now off 80 but she hasn't shown enough in four runs this season; needs a revival.

18/1

7th

13

7th Jul 2024

Good

2m 3f 194y

16:15 Sligo

Banada Bridge

10st 13lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Mrs Denise Foster

Beaten no more that a length in three successive 2m handicaps in early autumn but maiden's form has dipped since; back up in trip with headgear combo back on for the first time since last year.

25/1

Form: 070-9

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Winless from 20 starts and no inclination of late that he might be capable of ending that sequence; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

17th Aug 2022

Good

2m 4f 141y

19:00 Sligo

Go Large

10st 12lb

J: L P Dempsey

T: William Durkan

always towards rear, not fluent 4th, well behind when pulled up before 2 out

33/1

Non-runners

Banada Bridge

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €9.70
Straight Forecast €8.48
Tricast €33.45
Trifecta €56.00

Selections

RP Ratings (IRE):

Sphagnum

SPOTLIGHT:

Ballinlough Gale

POSTDATA:

Zaccarela

The Irish Sun:

Sphagnum