August 20 / 19.08 Sligo

19.08

Good

Francie ‘Banger’ Burns Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £9752.07
  • 2m 4f 107y
  • 10 runners
RTV
View Course
Francie ‘Banger’ Burns Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

Form: -47307 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 12st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
2-19 over hurdles winner; reverted from chasing at Wexford recently and was well beaten; faces a tough task under a big weight here
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

31st Jul 2026

Good

2m 6f 111y

18:00 Galway

Moonovercloon

10st 12lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Declan Queally

0-10 in chases but in the first three on five occasions, including when beaten a nose in this in 2024 off 3lb higher; generally struggled last season and no signs of revival on debut for this yard over timber at Kilbeggan in June; could be sharper for that, however, and worth market check in new visor.

16/1

Form: 16-462 C

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Four-time winner over fences, including at this venue; recorded the most recent of his two hurdle wins at Limerick in April; not as good in three chase starts before taking second in a six-runner race here recently; this looks more competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

8th Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 40y

19:48 Kilbeggan

Grange Walk

10st 2lb

J: Daniel King

T: John Patrick Ryan

Six-time winner, 4-38 over fences; chase mark has tumbled but good third at Ballinrobe (2m4f, good) in veterans race in May and decent run over hurdles at Sligo over inadequate trip; brought down at first at Kilbeggan last time; yard won this last two years.

10/1

11

24th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 85y

19:56 Kilbeggan

Grange Walk

10st 12lb

J: Daniel King

T: John Patrick Ryan

Six-time winner (four over fences) is now 31lb lower than his last chase win in 2023; good effort when third of 13 at Ballinrobe in May (2m4f, good); 2m2f over hurdles last time at Sligo was on the short side for him; place chance.

9/1

Form: 10-040 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
In top form on the Flat and over hurdles in May/June last year, winning three in a row; badly out of form in various types of races since second on AW last winter; tailed off in a Listed hurdle at the Galway festival; big drop in class now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

2nd Aug 2026

Good

2m 6f 111y

14:55 Galway

Golden Temple

11st 9lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Noel Meade

Has hit form with a chase win over 2m4f at Kilbeggan nine days ago and a belting run over hurdles (2m6f) here on Wednesday; every chance.

5/1

2nd

9

29th Jul 2026

Good

2m 6f 0y

17:35 Galway

Golden Temple

11st 9lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Noel Meade

Dual hurdle winner who got off the mark as a chaser five days ago in a 2m4f handicap at Kilbeggan; that was a narrow verdict and he's 5lb higher this afternoon, but he's clearly in good nick.

14/1

Form: 8P0/0- D

Last run: 111 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Three-time Flat winner at 1m5f-2m; won a 2m4f maiden hurdle two seasons ago; has been running creditably in large-field staying handicaps on the Flat, including seventh of 18 at Galway three weeks ago, before that, fifth of 21 at Navan; capable of a bold showing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

13

(15)

29th Jul 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 110y

20:20 Galway

Sign From Above

9st 9lb

J: Ben Coen

T: Peter Fahey

Three wins on the Flat include here over 1m6f three years ago; below best under both codes of late, fair bit to find with Gaoth Chuil on recent Killarney effort.

14/1

6th

5

(2)

14th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 185y

19:40 Killarney

Sign From Above

9st 3lb

J: Ben Coen

T: Peter Fahey

Three wins on the Flat and two over hurdles for this versatile performer; most recently landing a 2m4f handicap hurdle at Gowran in October; ground versatile in the past although might just prefer it a bit softer these days.

5/1

Form: 0-2611 C

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Runner-up over 2m4f on handicap debut at Kilbeggan in June; not as effective over a shorter trip at Cork before coming good with a 2m3f success at Kilbeggan; backed that up with an emphatic 2m2f course novice success; up 21lb from his initial mark; may continue on upgrade
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 3

17:42 Uttoxeter

Ballykinlar

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Won three times (2m2f, 2m4f) when trained in Ireland last summer; unplaced in three valuable handicap hurdles (2m4f-2m7f) for new trainer this spring; the drop back in trip for his chasing debut may not be in his favour.

9/2

16th

13

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

16:15 Punchestown

Ballykinlar

10st 7lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Mickey Bowen

Won three consecutive handicaps last summer up to 2m4f for Donncha Duggan; some fine runs in defeat after including since switched to this yard; has to prove he stays this trip.

28/1

7th

18

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Ballykinlar

11st 3lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Consistent results in Ireland this term featured three summer wins; not disgraced with midfield finish at the Cheltenham Festival (2m4f, soft) on debut for new stable but needs to improve on that bare form.

33/1

Form: 72/FF/ C

Last run: 844 days

W: 11st 6lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Veteran who has a notably versatile type for the late Kevin Prendergast; winner of eight of his 30 races and placed 11 times. showed he retains ability in a four-race spell at Dundalk early this year; first jumps run now since two falls over fences in 2023.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(9)

2nd Sep 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

17:08 Navan

Jerandme

11st 8lb

J: Mr P J Smullen

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

Not heavily raced for his age with eight wins between all disciplines; however, he is vulnerable as a 12-year-old in such a competitive handicap; has usually shown his best form on a sound surface.

20/1

6th

3

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 116y

16:47 Clonmel

Jerandme

11st 12lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

Not heavily raced for his age with eight wins between all disciplines; was runner-up in a C&D claimer when last seen over hurdles and had one solid AW Flat run since; can go well fresh and is one to consider.

4/1

Form: 52-6F3

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Won a 2m6f maiden hurdle at Downpatrick last summer; not at the same sort of level in three runs this year; finished a distant third at Downpatrick last month; needs to raise his game considerably
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

20th Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 180y

19:15 Killarney

Ollie La Ba Ba

11st 7lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

Best of three chase runs was the first at Kilbeggan last year, when sixth of 13; beaten 24l at Clonmel in October off 1lb higher on handicap chase debut; two starts over hurdles since not too encouraging.

14/1

6th

9

8th Jun 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

17:48 Roscommon

Ollie La Ba Ba

10st 9lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

Won second race over hurdles when landing a handicap at Listowel (2m2f, gd-yld) in September; below best twice since, in a handicap chase at Clonmel and a handicap hurdle on heavy at Limerick in December; off since and record fresh suggests he might need this run.

20/1

Form: 00-4P3 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner; won his second race over hurdles when scoring over a slightly shorter trip than this at Limerick last October; a solid fourth at Listowel on return before things went wrong on chasing debut at Tipperary; soundly beaten third at Wexford a fortnight ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

2nd Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

14:15 Clonmel

Spring Meadow

10st 10lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: E McNamara

Record of 2-18 over hurdles; soild efforts in three starts in this sphere this year (pulled-up in a chase); has to do more on these terms but could run well.

14/1

9

20th Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 107y

19:08 Sligo

Spring Meadow

10st 13lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: E McNamara

Bumper winner; won his second race over hurdles when scoring over a slightly shorter trip than this at Limerick last October; a solid fourth at Listowel on return before things went wrong on chasing debut at Tipperary; soundly beaten third at Wexford a fortnight ago.

10/1

Form: 451-42

Last run: 9 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Gained the first win of his career at Ballinrobe (his trainer's local track) in April; has confirmed a liking for that venue by making the frame over different trips on his last two starts; also placed in two of his three runs at this track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

28th Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 100y

16:50 Wexford

Tomas O Maille

11st 1lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: M Flannery

Has a record of 1-29 over hurdles and has been mostly below form this year so isn't easy to fancy.

33/1

8th

8

19th Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 161y

17:42 Sligo

Tomas O Maille

11st 2lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: M Flannery

Only one win from 27 starts over hurdles, at Ballinrobe last year off 13lb higher (2m6f, good); badly out of form in four outings this season, three of them at this venue.

25/1

6

12th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 116y

15:25 Sligo

Tomas O Maille

11st 5lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: M Flannery

Only one win from 27 starts over hurdles, at Ballinrobe last year off 9lb higher (2m6f, good); well below his best in three runs this season, including over C&D in May.

20/1

Form: 53-185 C

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Gained first win since 2021 here in May, scoring readily over 2m2f on first outing after a winter break; failed to back that up when favourite at Kilbeggan in June from 11lb higher mark; more like it when fifth here 13 days ago; this is a stronger race, as reflected by his relatively light weight.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

9

6th Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 193y

18:20 Sligo

Moulane West

11st 3lb

J: Alan King

T: Mark Michael McNiff

Sole win in 35 starts over hurdles came first time out last year when he won C&D handicap by 10 lengths; lost form towards the end of last season; not a bad run here in June when mid-field behind subsequent dual Galway winner Timurshah.

16/1

9th

5

9th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 157y

19:00 Sligo

Moulane West

11st 5lb

J: Alan King

T: Mark Michael McNiff

Locally-trained gelding won here early last season; overall record is unconvincing and getting on in years; down the field here four weeks ago.

14/1

Non-runners

Boston Jury

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €33.40
Straight Forecast €45.12
Tricast €523.03
Trifecta €586.20

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Ballykinlar

SPOTLIGHT:

Sign From Above

TOPSPEED:

Moulane West

POSTDATA:

Ballykinlar

The Irish Sun:

Ballykinlar