June 24 / 19.50 Ballinrobe

19.50

Yielding

GAIN The Advantage Series Handicap

  • Prize money: £7695.65
  • 1m 5f 0y
  • 11 runners
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GAIN The Advantage Series Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 39-885

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Dual purpose sort has posted six wins in all spheres; a decent effort behind Mayo For Sam at Navan last time (1m2f) when not a clear run; is 8lb better off with that rival and this longer trip will suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(8)

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 40y

16:50 Listowel

Desert Friend

9st 4lb

J: Conor Cusack

T: P J F Murphy

Veteran has done a bit of everything and recorded his ninth win when easily scoring over 1m6f at Sligo last time (yielding to soft), benefitting from a truly-run race; up 8lb but in the mix.

9/2

1st

8

(12)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 5f 190y

15:22 Sligo

Desert Friend

9st 8lb

J: Conor Cusack

T: P J F Murphy

Veteran has done a bit of everything and recorded his eighth win when scoring over 2m on AW in March; poor run at Bellewstown last time but that was only a day after being placed at Dundalk; goes well at Ballinrobe and this track isn't dissimilar.

10/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: -02614

Last run: 4 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Got off the mark when running away with a Navan handiap over 1m2f and a respectable effort at Leopardstown four days ago down to 1m1f; this trip can suit better and can run well if it doesn't come too soon
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

7th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 130y

14:50 Galway

Mayo For Sam

10st 0lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: M Flannery

Two-time winner on good ground on the Flat is 0-4 over hurdles; no show on handicap debut at Roscommon in July and out of form on the level last twice; others preferred.

33/1

8th

14

(1)

19th Aug 2025

Good

1m 4f 46y

20:20 Roscommon

Mayo For Sam

8st 7lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: M Flannery

Won twice last season; regressive this term; unappealing here from 8lb out of the handicap.

33/1

9/2

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 9-0021

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Got off the mark when winning at Tipperary over 1m1f on soft ground last time; is up in distance off 6lb higher and faces quicker ground; of interest but some questions to answer too.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

11th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 0y

13:55 Killarney

Status Green

11st 12lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: Joseph G Murphy

Won off 54 on the Flat on soft ground; 0-2 over hurdles and was beaten 23l on latest at Ballinrobe when sent off at 40-1; may be seen to better effect in handicaps.

50/1

4

11th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 0y

13:55 Killarney

Status Green

11st 12lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: Joseph G Murphy

Won off 54 on the Flat on soft ground; 0-2 over hurdles and was beaten 23l on latest at Ballinrobe when sent off at 40-1; may be seen to better effect in handicaps.

50/1

11th

2

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 185y

17:12 Ballinrobe

Status Green

11st 12lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: Joseph G Murphy

midfield

100/1

OUR TIP

Form: 320-72

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 11lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Just 1-28 on the Flat but been placed many times, including when a close runner-up over 2m1f at Limerick last time; can be competitive off this mark but might find this trip a bit sharp
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(4)

26th Aug 2025

Yielding

2m 1f 110y

19:55 Bellewstown

Curious Bride

11st 10lb

J: Mr P A King

T: Eamonn O’Connell

Four-time Flat winner has also won over hurdles; won over 1m7f at Leopardstown in July but has been below that level since off this mark and has to rebound.

16/1

6

(9)

16th Aug 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

19:37 Tramore

Curious Bride

9st 8lb

J: Conor Cusack

T: Eamonn O’Connell

Likes a stamina test, last three wins at around this trip including at Leopardstown last month off 71; hampered start when never counting at same venue 9 days ago but that run can be forgiven and remains a player.

15/2

6th

1

(9)

7th Aug 2025

Good

1m 7f 0y

20:25 Leopardstown

Curious Bride

12st 2lb

J: Miss T Hjalmarsson

T: Eamonn O’Connell

Won two staying handicaps last year and added another one over C&D (gd-yld) two weeks ago; a 6lb rise makes things harder but another good run likely on the cards.

9/4

Form: 675

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Similar efforts in three maidens up to 1m4f without showing improvement; however, can be expected to do better on handicap debut with blinkers added; check market.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

9

25th Oct 2024

Yielding

2m 4f 66y

15:45 Sligo

Hungry Rock

11st 5lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Mark Michael McNiff

Failed to build on his initial Flat promise and little to recommend in three maiden hurdles; could well be more at home in handicaps and certainly worth a market watch for his local stable.

33/1

14th

22

4th Oct 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

13:15 Gowran Park

Hungry Rock

11st 7lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Mark Michael McNiff

Second reserve; flat recruit is 0-4 and rated 56 in that sphere; no show in two starts over hurdles and similar story likely here.

8th

6

30th Aug 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

17:50 Down Royal

Hungry Rock

10st 13lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Mark Michael McNiff

Modest enough on the Flat and none too fluent at times when beaten a long way on recent hurdles debut at Sligo; best watched for now.

66/1

Form: 00380- CD

Last run: 298 days

W: 9st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Dual winner, including over C&D in 2022 off a 3lb higher mark; best run of last season came back over C&D; a squeak if ready after his break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

(11)

21st Jul 2025

Yielding

1m 4f 184y

20:00 Ballinrobe

Beer With The Boys

9st 10lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: H D McGuigan

C&D winner in 2022, his last score; his best run of three this term when third at Sligo and needs to repeat that after a lesser Tramore effort.

10/1

1

(7)

8th Jul 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

19:20 Tramore

Beer With The Boys

10st 4lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: H D McGuigan

Won for Mick Channon at three and landed a Ballinrobe handicap during a spell of good form in 2022; often placed, though only twice since joining this stable two years ago; pleasing run when third at Sligo on seasonal debut; front-runner could go well if restored to form after a Tipperary failure.

14/1

Form: 71695- D

Last run: 208 days

W: 10st 0lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Front-runner was a very easy winner over hurdles at Downpatrick a week ago; struggled on AW after winning at Down Royal last September but has a chance if at her best back to this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

11th Aug 2024

Good

2m 5f 180y

15:48 Downpatrick

Hidden Land

12st 2lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Andrew Kinirons

All three of her wins over hurdles have come here, including a wide margin win over 2m3f in June; up 10lb for that but comes here on the back of a 1m4f Flat handicap win at Galway; major contender.

5/1

1st

19

(1)

1st Aug 2024

Yielding

1m 4f 0y

17:40 Galway

Hidden Land

9st 11lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: Andrew Kinirons

First reserve; twice a winner at around this trip and better hurdler; others preferred.

Form: 080/89

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Dual purpose maiden returned after a long absence this season; best of two runs was when beaten 4.5l at Gowran over an inadequate trip last time; not ignored from a shrewd yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

12

(4)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 2f 158y

16:32 Sligo

Creative Dancer

8st 10lb

J: Sadhbh Tormey

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Poor maiden under both codes, well held over hurdles when last seen in January; 5lb out of handicap here.

25/1

28/1

Form: 600-80

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Won twice in UK in 2022 up to 1m6f off much higher marks; regressive in the last year and was poor last time, so others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(9)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 2f 150y

20:15 Dundalk (AW)

Rushford

9st 6lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: Thomas R Hughes

Two wins in Britain in 2022 came at 1m4f/1m6f on quickish ground; returned from a 578-day absence over 1m4f here last time when last of 14; hard to fancy based on that.

33/1

14th

8

(2)

6th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

18:45 Dundalk (AW)

Rushford

9st 6lb

J: Hugh Horgan

T: Thomas R Hughes

Two wins in Britain in 2022 came at 1m4f/1m6f on quickish ground; absent since August 2024 and faces a tough task against that background.

33/1

Form: 000/02

Last run: 80 days

W: 9st 8lb

9 yo Horse

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Useful triple AW winner in 2019 when trained in UK but has missed loads of time since; not a bad effort on AW last time; competes off an 8lb lower turf mark but hasn't looked as effective on this surface.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(13)

7th Sep 2024

Good

1m 2f 40y

17:10 Navan

Forbidden Planet

9st 12lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: Kevin Michael Smith

Had some lengthy absences since winning three times on the AW for Roger Charlton; best Irish run when second over an extended 1m2f at Dundalk in April; has changed stable since fourth over 1m4f at the same venue in July.

14/1

4th

3

(10)

12th Jul 2024

Standard

1m 4f 0y

17:25 Dundalk (AW)

Forbidden Planet

9st 11lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: P J F Murphy

Had some lengthy absences since winning three times on the AW for Roger Charlton; standout run since trained in Ireland remains his second over 1m2f here in April, since when he's disappointed on turf; risky on balance.

14/1

10th

5

(7)

24th Jun 2024

Yielding

1m 5f 0y

19:50 Ballinrobe

Forbidden Planet

9st 8lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: P J F Murphy

Useful triple AW winner in 2019 when trained in UK but has missed loads of time since; not a bad effort on AW last time; competes off an 8lb lower turf mark but hasn't looked as effective on this surface.

15/2

Form: 1-5005

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Won on AW last summer off 72 but not as good on that surface over the winter; faced a tough task and well beaten at Listowel last time; needs a return to best form with blinkers tried.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

23

(9)

25th Apr 2026

Yielding

1m 2f 40y

16:50 Navan

Roman Bull

9st 1lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Michael William O’Meara

Hasn't had much racing in the last two years; is dropping in the weights but still best watched.

33/1

10th

2

(9)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

19:15 Dundalk (AW)

Roman Bull

10st 2lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: Michael William O’Meara

Gained C&D win in the summer of 2023 from 12lb higher but has lost his way since; ran only once last year; hard to fancy.

40/1

14th

15

(9)

10th Sep 2025

Yielding

1m 0f 0y

19:10 Cork

Roman Bull

9st 5lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: Michael William O’Meara

Had lost his way when last seen and has been off 443 days.

100/1

Non-runners

Charlie Luciano

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €28.50
Straight Forecast €30.76
Tricast €169.03
Trifecta €149.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Desert Friend

POSTDATA:

Hidden Land

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Desert Friend

The Irish Sun:

Desert Friend