July 22 / 17.12 Ballinrobe

17.12

Yielding

West ‘Howya’ Maiden Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4876.03
  • 2m 1f 89y
  • 15 runners
RTV
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West ‘Howya’ Maiden Hurdle

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

Form: 44

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Flat winner on AW in 2023; has run creditably on both hurdle starts for this stable, fourth over C&D in May and same placing behind useful bumper performer Sunny South West at Cork 11 days ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

1

26th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

14:33 Listowel

Akmaam

12st 0lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Donncha Duggan

Flat winner has shown a bit of promise in maiden hurdles; worth a market check on handicap debut with talented claimer easing his welter burden.

20/1

2

23rd Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 100y

13:20 Killarney

Akmaam

11st 12lb

J: John Shinnick

T: Donncha Duggan

Two-time winner on the Flat; some decent maiden hurdle runs without looking like winning; finished well behind on the AW eight days ago.

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Four wins on Flat, three for Sir Michael Stoute, one for Ado McGuinness; better record on AW (3-13) than on turf (1-14); last month's fourth placings in Flat handicaps at this venue and Fairyhouse provide some encouragement; stable/hurdling debut
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

14

(4)

8th May 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 4f 183y

20:22 Ballinrobe

Migdam

8st 13lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: Edward Buckley

Four-time winner over shorter trips and only just denied over 2m at Thurles on final start last season; recent hurdle run should have put him straight and not one to rule out.

14/1

8th

6

6th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

14:05 Fairyhouse

Migdam

11st 7lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Edward Buckley

Only had two runs over hurdles, last time winning a maiden on good ground at Tramore (first-time hood); good and bad on the Flat since then; lacks jumping experience for a race of this nature.

50/1

Form: 13530- D

Last run: 138 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Won a Sligo bumper on soft last August; fifth in Listed mares' hurdle at Thurles course on her first start for this stable; third when well-backed for Punchestown maiden hurdle in February; has had a break since a below-par Thurles run in March.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

25th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

16:35 Listowel

Love At Sea

11st 5lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Edward F Power

Point/bumper winner and added a maiden hurdle to her tally when game in victory at Cork (2m1f, good); brings momentum into handicaps.

4/1

12

4th Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 20y

13:30 Cork

Love At Sea

11st 7lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Edward F Power

Bumper winner; rated 108 after six starts over hurdles; finished a 4l second of 15 in a Ballinrobe maiden (17.5f, good) on latest after a 138 day break; should strip fitter now and she's a big player.

5/2

Form: 00

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
In rear in maiden hurdles at this venue and Wexford; shorter trip now; makes no appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

5th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 200y

17:37 Kilbeggan

Bubba Yeats

10st 11lb

J: Richard Deegan

T: S Curling

Modest in maidens and was beaten 22l on handicap debut at Wexford; major improvement needed; tongue-tie retained.

22/1

6th

8

8th Aug 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

18:38 Wexford

Bubba Yeats

11st 1lb

J: J J Slevin

T: S Curling

Hasn't shown much in maidens at 16.5f-22.5f including one here; potential improver on handicap debut in first-time tongue tie; check the market.

10/1

4

22nd Jul 2025

Yielding

2m 1f 89y

17:12 Ballinrobe

Bubba Yeats

11st 4lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: S Curling

In rear in maiden hurdles at this venue and Wexford; shorter trip now; makes no appeal.

66/1

Form: 0/

Last run: 444 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
In rear in a bumper at Punchestown last year, no sign of ability in point-to-points.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

5th Aug 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 59y

16:38 Roscommon

Eden Valley

11st 12lb

J: Mr D Doyle

T: Timothy Doyle

Nothing to boast about in a bumper, four points and a maiden hurdle.

100/1

5

22nd Jul 2025

Yielding

2m 1f 89y

17:12 Ballinrobe

Eden Valley

11st 4lb

J: Mr D Doyle

T: Timothy Doyle

In rear in a bumper at Punchestown last year, no sign of ability in point-to-points.

100/1

12th

4

4th May 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:00 Punchestown

Eden Valley

12st 0lb

J: Mr D Doyle

T: Timothy Doyle

Valirann gelding; dam unraced sister to bumper/useful 2m6f hurdle winner Senor Lombardy out of maiden half-sister to Irish National winner Glebe Lad; stoutly bred and probably best watched.

50/1

Form:

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Completely tailed off in a Cork maiden in which Akmaan finished fourth, no apparent chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

2nd Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 175y

14:02 Galway

Just Dennis

11st 12lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Peter Maher

Tailed off in maidens at Cork and Ballinrobe, sent off huge odds both times.

100/1

Form: 8

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Never in contention in a maiden hurdle at Roscommon; can be safely ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

11th Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 218y

19:55 Ballinrobe

Last Man dArcy

11st 12lb

J: James Smith

T: Brian M McMahon

Heavy defeats in both starts over hurdles including here latest; new trip now but hard to make a case for.

33/1

7

22nd Jul 2025

Yielding

2m 1f 89y

17:12 Ballinrobe

Last Man dArcy

11st 4lb

J: James Smith

T: Brian M McMahon

Never in contention in a maiden hurdle at Roscommon; can be safely ruled out.

66/1

9

7th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 125y

17:05 Roscommon

Last Man dArcy

11st 4lb

J: James Smith

T: Brian M McMahon

Modest form in sole completed point-to-point; weakened quickly when pulled up at Ballingarry in May; half-brother to two hurdles winners but probably best watched on Rules' debut.

66/1

Form: 795

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Seems to be improving on the evidence of a recent Cork fifth; place possibility now, though he may be flattered by his initial handicap mark (105).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

20th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 3f 0y

14:35 Navan

No Demand

11st 12lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Darren Collins

Ordinary form in maidens; this trip may help his cause judged on a satisfactory handicap run over shorter at Galway; lost ground with a mistake at the fifth, stayed on from off the pace to finish in mid-division.

6/1

14

8th Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 160y

16:20 Galway

No Demand

11st 1lb

J: Cian Cullinan

T: Darren Collins

Mild promise when fifth in a 2m1f maiden hurdle at Cork; struggled at Ballinrobe, no impact at Sligo; makes handicap debut.

16/1

Form: 70-P72

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Much improved when chasing home an easy winner at Sligo nine days ago; this company looks more demanding.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

31st May 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 50y

14:56 Kilbeggan

Red Or White

11st 3lb

J: J J Slevin

T: John Patrick Ryan

0-7 over hurdles and rated 94; has shown ability in maiden hurdles but the closest she's got to the winner was when beaten 6.75l into third of 9 at Sligo (2m4f, good) last time; should be sharper for that first run back after a break but steps into the unknown here trip wise; others appeal more.

8/1

3rd

3

12th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

18:58 Sligo

Red Or White

11st 4lb

J: Daniel King

T: John Patrick Ryan

Rated 94 after six runs over hurdles, the best of which was a 10l second over 16.5f (good) here last July; off since below par run at Tramore last August; place chance if fit after break.

11/2

8

17th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 140y

14:30 Tramore

Red Or White

11st 4lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: John Patrick Ryan

Runner-up in a 2m2f Sligo maiden last month (good), the best of five attempts over timber; possibly didn't stay 2m5f at same track on latest; back in trip here with place claims.

10/1

Form: 00

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Down the field in maiden hurdle outings at Punchestown and Cork; nothing to suggest he can feature.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

22nd Jul 2025

Yielding

2m 1f 89y

17:12 Ballinrobe

Tactical Mission

11st 4lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Peter Maher

Down the field in maiden hurdle outings at Punchestown and Cork; nothing to suggest he can feature.

100/1

14

11th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 190y

17:45 Cork

Tactical Mission

11st 12lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Peter Maher

No sign of ability in a point and maiden hurdle; likely will need more time.

200/1

13

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 3f 55y

15:40 Punchestown

Tactical Mission

11st 12lb

J: Benjamin P Kennedy

T: Peter Maher

Made plenty of mistakes before being pulled-up on sole point outing; best watched.

100/1

Form: 0P07-5

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten in fifth at Sligo nine days ago; held by runner-up Red Or White and this looks like a stronger contest in any case.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

13

4th Aug 2025

Good

2m 2f 100y

15:30 Cork

Way Down We Go

11st 12lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Charlie Keegan

0-6 over hurdles and rated 95; hasn't shown enough to suggest he is up to winning a maiden.

33/1

11

22nd Jul 2025

Yielding

2m 1f 89y

17:12 Ballinrobe

Way Down We Go

11st 4lb

J: Charlie O’Dwyer

T: Charlie Keegan

Soundly beaten in fifth at Sligo nine days ago; held by runner-up Red Or White and this looks like a stronger contest in any case.

20/1

8

13th Jul 2025

Good

2m 1f 90y

14:25 Sligo

Way Down We Go

11st 12lb

J: Cian Cullinan

T: Charlie Keegan

His run at Ballinrobe last time (2m1f, good) when an 18.5l seventh at 200-1 is some of the best form in the field on RPRs; well beaten in starts prior to that; it's a weak race so perhaps he can be involved.

9/2

Form: 550-34

Last run: 54 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up a bumper at Tipperary last year; shaped with some promise in two hurdle runs in May; only 2 3/4l third behind subsequent 10l Bellewstown winner Mrs Mc Go when fourth at Limerick.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

10th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 50y

15:15 Cork

Nothing Hectic

11st 3lb

J: Alan O’Sullivan

T: Miss Hilary McLoughlin

Consistent form early last season was rewarded with a win Ballinrobe mares' maiden hurdle win (2m7f, good); good spell came to a halt when pulled up at Listowel in September on handicap debut; has run well after breaks before.

16/1

3

26th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 0y

15:43 Listowel

Nothing Hectic

12st 0lb

J: Mr R James

T: Miss Hilary McLoughlin

Consistent spell of form rewarded with a maiden hurdle success at Ballinrobe a month ago (22.5f, good); talented rider takes off 7lb for handicap debut; easy ground may not be ideal.

13/2

Form: 3/09-4

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in two of five bumper starts for Seamus Fahey; joined Gavin Cromwell after two moderate maiden hurdle runs; needs to step up on the form shown in a Downpatrick bumper on stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

1st Jun 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

14:22 Listowel

Shannon Bank

11st 4lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Andrew Kinirons

Placed in two bumpers for Seamus Fahey and second in 2m1f Killarney handicap hurdle in October when with Gavin Cromwell; unfancied on stable debut, and first run of the year, when mid-field in Wexford chase; might prefer farther, but not out of it.

8/1

7th

9

7th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

17:35 Wexford

Shannon Bank

11st 1lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Andrew Kinirons

Maiden took her mark to a career-high when coming from well back to chase home a clear winner in 2m1f Killarney handicap hurdle in October (yielding); never recovered from bad blunder at Sligo later same month in first-time cheekpieces; has since left Gavin Cromwell and debuts for new yard on chase debut.

16/1

1

24th Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 112y

15:10 Sligo

Shannon Bank

12st 0lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Maiden took her mark to a career-high when coming from well back to chase home a clear winner over this trip at Killarney early in the month (yielding); cheekpieces now added.

13/2

Form: 434-22 BF

Last run: 9 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Fair form last season for her previous trainer; pulled well clear with the winner when second in a handicap at Sligo last month on stable/seasonal debut; second to a much younger rival in a mares' handicap at the same venue nine days ago; now a six-time runner-up; should be in the mix in a race of this standard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 95y

14:30 Punchestown

Spick And Span

11st 0lb

J: Mr S Connor

T: James Andrew Fahey

Runner-up on her first two starts for this yard before getting off the mark at the 20th attempt with a 4l Ballinrobe maiden hurdle success (2m1f, good); returned from a short break with a positive run at Clonmel last time when third (2m4f, yielding); Flidais was in fourth that day and has won subsequently; in the mix.

5/1

6

2nd Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

15:25 Clonmel

Spick And Span

10st 10lb

J: Mr S Connor

T: James Andrew Fahey

Runner-up on her first two starts for this yard (both at Sligo) before getting off the mark at the 20th attempt with a 4l Ballinrobe success (2m1f, good); needs to bounce back from a below-par run in a Sligo novice event.

5/1

Form: P6-0P

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Winner and twice second in points; no encouragement from her racecourse form; huge price when pulled up at Wexford last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

22nd Jul 2025

Yielding

2m 1f 89y

17:12 Ballinrobe

Townhill Lass

10st 11lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: D McNamara

Winner and twice second in points; no encouragement from her racecourse form; huge price when pulled up at Wexford last time.

14

4th Jul 2025

Good

3m 0f 100y

15:15 Wexford

Townhill Lass

10st 11lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: D McNamara

Point winner but well beaten in a hunter's chase in March and same story in a Sligo maiden hurdle last month; tongue tie added to cheekpieces but hard to fancy

66/1

11

10th Jun 2025

Good

2m 1f 157y

17:58 Sligo

Townhill Lass

11st 7lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: D McNamara

Won a point-to-point at Comea in February; cheekpieces reached for after heavy defeat on Rules' debut in a Downpatrick maiden hunter chase; hard to fancy after that run.

50/1

Non-runners

Streamsforth Lad, Teagarden Jazz

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €6.50
Straight Forecast €5.08
Trifecta €27.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Spick And Span

TOPSPEED:

Teagarden Jazz

The Irish Sun:

Akmaam

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Spick And Span

POSTDATA:

Spick And Span