Racecards
18:55 Ballinrobe (IRE)
McHale Engineering Hurdle
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- €10,501 added
- Winner: €7,245
- 2nd: €1,680
- 3rd: €736
- 4th: €419
- Form 104/92P-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
led, headed 4 out and soon niggled along, ridden in 2nd when mistake 2 out, went close 2nd at last, kept on under pressure run-in to lead at line
- Form 49440-4
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 116
- Trainer C Bowe
- Jockey Andrew J McNamara
held up in rear, moderate last 2 out, soon ridden, kept on one paced in 4th run-in, just held for moderate 3rd
- Form P-8P571
- Age 8
- Weight 11-8
- Trainer B T Murphy
- Jockey B J Geraghty
held up in rear, ridden in moderate 5th 2 out, went moderate 3rd before last, kept on one paced
- Form 687-918
- Age 6
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 112
prominent, led on inner 4 out, strongly pressed after 2 out, narrow lead at last, kept on under pressure run-in, headed on line
- Form 104-521
- Age 5
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 116
tracked leaders, ridden in 3rd from 3 out, no impression on leaders after 2 out, weakened from last
- Form 4340-3U
- Age 7
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 111
- Trainer T G McCourt
- Jockey T C Carroll
tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, soon ridden, no impression before next
Baby Grey
28- Form 511-137
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer J Monroe
- Jockey D E Splaine
held up behind leaders, ridden in 6th 3 out, no impression
- Form 7
- Age 4
- Weight 10-2
- Trainer J Monroe
- Jockey Phillip Enright
tracked leaders, dropped to rear from 4 out, weakened
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Darroun looked a smart prospect when beating Hisaabaat at Leopardstown last year and wasn't far behind that rival in a Grade 1 at Punchestown later. However, he's come nowhere near that kind of form subsequently and is overlooked until back to his best. TOP CAT HENRY has been making steady progress and there was much to like about his victory over subsequent easy winner Silver Tassie at Wexford. He should improve again and can take the honours though Aranhill Chief is surely better than he showed at Roscommon last time where the 2m trip proved too short. All Or Now battled hard for a surprise success at Roscommon but will need more while Thegondolier may do better when returned to fences.
Formwatch
Darroun (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Mid-division best, weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Prince Rudi (10-6) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hdl sft in Dec, 30 ran.
Thegondolier (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up, mainly 5th, headway into 3rd 3 out, ridden in 4th and no impression before last, kept on same pace run-in, 4th of 6, 11l behind Time To Work (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 2f hdl gf.
All Or Now (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Towards rear and 15th halfway, headway approaching straight and 7th 3 out, went 2nd after next and ridden to challenge early run-in, kept on under pressure to lead close home, won at Roscommon 2m 4f Conditional Maiden Hurdle (6yo+) gf beating Kathleen Frances (11-1) by nk, 18 ran.
Aranhill Chief (IRE) 9-4fav (11-13) Tracked leaders on outer and 7th halfway, pushed along after 4 out and no threat from next, 8th of 18, 37l behind Raydari (11-9) at Roscommon 2m hcp hdl 80-95 gf.
Top Cat Henry (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Soon tracked leaders, pecked a bit 6 out, 2nd before 2 out, soon challenged and on terms, just in front last, stayed on well run-in, won at Wexford 2m 4f mdn hdl gf beating Silver Tassie (11-4) by 1 3/4l, 16 ran.
Spring Hawk (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Towards rear, bad mistake and unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by Imperial Shabra (10-5) at Bellewstown 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 gf, 14 ran.
Baby Grey 11-4 (11-9) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, close up 3 out, ridden and no extra 2 out, 7th of 15, 23l behind Ebazan (11-5) at Ballinrobe 2m mdn hdl gd in Jun.
Royal Run (IRE) 28-1 (10-2) Always behind, no impression from 3 out, behind from next, completely tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Call Me Bubbles (11-7) at Ballinrobe 2m 4yo hdl hvy in May.