April 17 / 17.00 Ballinrobe

17.00

Soft

Treacy’s Pharmacies Mares Maiden Hurdle

  • Prize money: £6146.09
  • 2m 0f 174y
  • 18 runners
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Treacy’s Pharmacies Mares Maiden Hurdle

Runners: 18 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

Form: U

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Mare

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 27-6F7

Last run: 175 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Filly

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Beaten a head on bumper debut for Andrew Balding; had place claims going to the last on second hurdles start at Killarney in August when falling at the last; tailed off at Sligo when last seen; has never run on ground slower than yielding; place chance in a weak race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

19th Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 148y

19:18 Sligo

Crystabel

11st 0lb

J: Daniel King

T: John Patrick Ryan

Up front throughout when winning 2m2f mares' handicap here last month (good); similar tactics employed in 2m2f novices since, third at Ballinrobe and weakened badly when last of 5 here; steps up in trip now.

16/1

5th

4

6th Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 193y

17:45 Sligo

Crystabel

10st 13lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: John Patrick Ryan

Up front throughout when winning C&D mares' handicap last month (good); similar tactics employed when third to Manoir De Mirande in 2m2f Ballinrobe novice since; 6lb better off before that rival's claim is taken into account.

15/2

3rd

4

21st Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 89y

18:09 Ballinrobe

Crystabel

10st 13lb

J: Daniel King

T: John Patrick Ryan

Up front throughout when winning Sligo handicap over this trip; effectively 10lb higher, but further progress is likely.

8/1

Form: RP8

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Filly

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: —

Last run: —

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Mare

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: —

Last run: —

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Mare

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: —

Last run: 249 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Filly

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Got first Flat win at Bellewstown in October at 11th attempt (1m5f, soft) but has made little impact in three runs since; makes hurdling debut now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

13

(11)

28th Sep 2026

Good

1m 3f 10y

16:19 Down Royal

Idomything

8st 10lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: Thomas Cleary

Won off 5lb higher at Bellewstown last year (12.5f, soft); yet to hit form this season, though was 9lb wrong at the weights last time at Galway; wouldn't discount after the recent rain.

10/1

8th

16

(9)

8th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 4f 0y

19:00 Galway

Idomything

8st 7lb

J: Shay Wallace

T: Thomas Cleary

Won on soft ground at Bellewstown last season; 9lb out of the handicap; hard to fancy even with 7lb off.

20/1

Form: 08

Last run: 89 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Mare

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 00-8P

Last run: 141 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Filly

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Tailed off in three runs before failing to complete at Thurles last time on better ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

17

10th Aug 2026

Good

2m 6f 113y

20:30 Ballinrobe

Lost Features

10st 4lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Darren Collins

First reserve; best run yet in handicaps over C&D (good) on latest, staying on from the back for a 7.25l fifth of 15; could run on late into the places.

5th

14

21st Jul 2026

Good

2m 6f 41y

19:09 Ballinrobe

Lost Features

10st 3lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Darren Collins

Has struggled in four handicap attempts; 66-1 chance when pulled up at Sligo nine days ago.

33/1

15

12th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 116y

15:25 Sligo

Lost Features

10st 5lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Darren Collins

Ordinary form; beaten 32l and 44l since entering handicap company.

22/1

Form: 8P0

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Mare

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 5668

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Filly

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Showed slight ability when midfield in two bumpers last year; tailed off on hurdling debut at Thurles and just a bit better at Clonmel in a hood (retained); others more appealing.
Place /
No / Draw
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Time + Course Horse + Weight
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Verdict Starting price

13th

9

20th Sep 2026

Good

2m 2f 100y

15:18 Listowel

Mysilverriverfeale

10st 12lb

J: Daniel King

T: Thomas Cooper

Disappointing on handicap debut at Kilbeggan a month ago; previously won a maiden at the same venue.

12/1

8th

3

21st Aug 2026

Good

2m 2f 200y

18:05 Kilbeggan

Mysilverriverfeale

11st 8lb

J: Daniel King

T: Thomas Cooper

Made the breakthrough at the eighth time of asking under rules (sixth in maiden hurdles) when beating Facile Ocean by 1.75l over C&D last time (good); runner-up won by 14l next time; mark looks fair enough for handicap bow and Dan King rides again; a lot to like.

11/2

1st

14

24th Jul 2026

Good

2m 2f 200y

17:05 Kilbeggan

Mysilverriverfeale

10st 11lb

J: Daniel King

T: Thomas Cooper

Showed some improvement when upped in trip, notably staying on late to chase home a hot favourite at Tramore (2m6f, good); didn't seem to stay over slightly longer trip here a week ago when fourth in a stronger maiden than this; back in trip and major claims.

9/4

Form: 422

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Filly

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Identical RPRs (104) when fourth on bumper debut at Cork (yielding to soft) and a distant runner-up at Ayr in February (soft); finished well clear of third when second on hurdling debut at Cork last time (2m3f, yielding); hard to beat in a weak race.
Place /
No / Draw
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Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

24th Sep 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

13:39 Perth

Poetic Twist

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Gordon Elliott

Last two runs weren't her best (the second was remote) but better judged on her competitive efforts prior to those, on which she sets the standard; trip/ground fine.

15/8

6th

6

9th Aug 2026

Good

2m 5f 180y

15:43 Downpatrick

Poetic Twist

11st 3lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Maiden winner over this trip at Tramore and closely matched with Samba Train on run before at Killarney; remote second over 2m3f at Kilbeggan, but third left that form behind when winning readily at Galway; handicap debut.

13/2

2nd

3

15th Jun 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 2f 200y

17:42 Kilbeggan

Poetic Twist

11st 3lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Gordon Elliott

Runner up in first two starts over hurdles; off the mark in a mares' maiden hurdle at Tramore on latest (21.5f, good); debatable whether this drop in trip will suit but she's fit and in form and should be in the mix again.

13/2

Form: 7-85P4

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Bits and pieces of ability; 24l fourth in a Clonmel mares' maiden hurdle (2m3f, soft) was one of her better efforts; much more needed.
Place /
No / Draw
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Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

6

9th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 162y

20:00 Sligo

Sarahs Express

11st 1lb

J: Richard Condon

T: P A Fahy

Just hints of ability in maidens but has been poor in two handicaps; however, was favourite last time at Clonmel so is surely better than showing; can't be ruled out with blinkers added.

10/1

9th

7

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 116y

17:50 Clonmel

Sarahs Express

11st 4lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: P A Fahy

Bits and pieces of form, albeit beaten a long way; handicap debut (after winter break) at Kilbeggan last month mildly encouraging and entitled to come on for that.

9/1

4th

10

24th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 50y

17:23 Kilbeggan

Sarahs Express

11st 3lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: P A Fahy

Showed bits and pieces of ability in four runs before pulling up on handicap debut at Punchestown (3m, heavy) when found to have bled; 24l fourth in a Clonmel maiden last time (2m3f, soft); more needed.

14/1

Form: 3F

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Filly

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Tailed off in a four-runner Sligo maiden hurdle in October; no chance when falling two out at Fairyhouse last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

25th Sep 2026

Good

2m 6f 0y

16:00 Listowel

Strong Contender

11st 8lb

J: Conor Smithers

T: Norman Lee

Hit form recently, winning over further at Wexford and Sligo; was a decent third at Galway last time back down to this trip; can go well off an unchanged mark.

7/1

3rd

5

7th Sep 2026

Good

2m 6f 97y

18:11 Galway

Strong Contender

11st 8lb

J: Conor Smithers

T: Norman Lee

Stepped up in trip to very good effect when winning handicap hurdles over 3m at Wexford and 3m2f at Sligo; up 15lb for that but in absolutely prime form and this testing 2m6f could suit him well.

3/1

Form: 8

Last run: 240 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Filly

OR: —

Form & Verdict
33-1 when tailed off first time in a bumper at Sligo; safe enough to rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

10th Jul 2026

Good

2m 2f 160y

17:25 Kilbeggan

Urinmydreams

10st 11lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Norman Lee

Yet to show any ability in bumpers and over hurdles; makes no appeal.

100/1

12th

12

15th Jun 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 7f 200y

18:12 Kilbeggan

Urinmydreams

11st 5lb

J: Mr S Connor

T: Norman Lee

Tailed off in a bumper and three maiden hurdles; needs a significant step forward.

50/1

15th

22

6th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 100y

15:40 Punchestown

Urinmydreams

11st 5lb

J: Conor Brassil

T: Norman Lee

Nothing of note in a bumper and two maiden hurdles; hard to see featuring in the finish.

50/1

Form: —

Last run: —

W: 10st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR: —

Form & Verdict
14-race maiden on the Flat but has filled the runner-up spot in four of her six runs there for current yard at 1m4f/2m; chance if transferring her ability to hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

31st Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 165y

14:47 Downpatrick

Echinacea

11st 7lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: Noel C Kelly

17-race maiden; best of three runs over hurdles came when a 12.5l fourth here in May (2m3f, good to yielding); beaten 29l at Cartmel when last seen in June; may improve for switch to handicaps.

10/1

6th

10

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

13:57 Cartmel

Echinacea

10st 9lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Noel C Kelly

16-race maiden; fair on the Flat and improved on her first run over hurdles when 12.5l fourth at Downpatrick last time (2m3f, good to yielding); each-way chance.

6/1

Form: P

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Mare

OR: —

Form & Verdict
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No / Draw
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Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Abandoned

Form: —

Last run: —

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Mare

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 8

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Verdict

This is a very weak race, in which the form of POETIC TWIST is far and away the best on offer. She finished well clear of the third when runner-up on hurdling debut and should collect. Echinacea has been consistent on the AW and could go well if transferring that ability to hurdles. Holly’s Thunder is a half-sister to eight winners, including three-time Grade 1 winner Don Poli. [Denis Harney]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Poetic Twist

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Poetic Twist

TOPSPEED:

Poetic Twist

POSTDATA:

Poetic Twist

The Irish Sun:

Poetic Twist