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

7th

7

12th Jul 2026

Good

3m 1f 121y

16:35 Sligo

Sphagnum

11st 2lb

J: Mr J P Sampson

T: J P Broderick

Lost his form badly after winning the Cork National in 2024, but bounced back over 3m2f here (good) last time in first-time blinkers when runner-up after idling when leading (1.75l ahead of Je Suis); form of that race is questionable, but he has a notably low hurdles mark if he can repeat that effort.

7/1

2nd

8

9th Jun 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

19:30 Sligo

Sphagnum

11st 11lb

J: Mr J P Sampson

T: J P Broderick

Lost his form badly after winning the Cork National in 2024 and is hard to fancy on recent poor hurdle runs; blinkers replace cheekpieces.

33/1

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

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

6

5th Jun 2026

Good

2m 6f 90y

20:30 Clonmel

Its Time Again

11st 4lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: David Richard Barry

All three hurdle wins have come at Ballinrobe, the last one in 2025; however, was pulled-up there 10 days ago and hard to fancy on that run.

33/1

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

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