UK Horse Racing Tips: Ballinrobe

RODNEY BAY has some solid form over hurdles and should be up to landing a race of this standard. The Most Improved gelding has been placed three times from eight starts over timber and has also run with credit in a few handicaps. He looks worthy of his mark of 111 and if he runs near that he won't be far away. Benny The Duke had some strong form last winter but hasn't really run up to that level on a couple of outings this summer. He kept on one paced when third at Roscommon last time and it's interesting that connections drop in trip now. Gold Cup Bailly won a point-to-point and has been placed three times over hurdles He has to be respected but faces quicker ground now and a drop in trip which would be a slight concern.
Prediction : 1st Rodney Bay 2nd Benny The Duke 3rd Gold Cup Bailly

JUST JACOB bids for a hat-trick here and may be able to bag another before the handicapper catches up with him. Sean Flanagan said his mount was improving with racing after his victory at Sligo earlier in the month and the way he asserted late on there suggests he's capable of defying a 7lb rise. Sheishybrid ran well on the Flat at Tramore last time and could be a danger back over timber now. The Noel Meade-trained filly had won well over timber at Cork at the start of the month and looks on a fair mark off 105 for her first handicap start over hurdles. Faron bounced back to form when winning a decent little rated contest at Sligo last time and he is another that has to come into the mix.
Prediction : 1st Just Jacob 2nd Sheishybrid 3rd Faron

PAIDI'S PASSION had modest form in point-to-points but made an encouraging Rules debut when running-on for second in a Roscommon maiden over 2m5f. She was a massive price that day but had some fair types behind her and should improve for the experience. Killoughteen, who as usual will be ridden by her owner, showed much improved form on second start for Charles Byrnes when chasing home a decent gelding at Kilbeggan and she's likely to appreciate going back up in trip. Knocknagappagh hasn't been beaten far when runner-up in similar contests at Kilbeggan and Sligo and is trying a longer distance here. Queshi Bridge has had plenty of rivals behind in her first two starts over hurdles and has claims but bumper winner Coole Og needs to improve on what she's done so far in this discipline.
Prediction : 1st Paidis Passion 2nd Killoughteen 3rd Knocknagappagh

SITTINGONTHEFENCE was fourth at this venue in May and just failed to land a gamble on her return visit last month. The daughter of Getaway was nabbed close home over a trip similar to this one but finished clear of the rest and can go one better off a 3lb higher mark. Danny Mullin's presence in the saddle certainly adds to confidence. Glenmalure Lodge has been runner-up twice at Ballinrobe this year and was pipped by a subsequent winner in June. She's an obvious contender. Menindee is closely matched with Glenmalure Lodge on the form of her third here last month and she was beaten only fractions when filling the same spot at Downpatrick on her latest outing. If the fitting of a tongue-tie ekes out a bit more improvement, she'll go close. Karayaz stepped up on previous efforts when second in a Sligo maiden and has a chance if building on that.
Prediction : 1st Sittingonthefence 2nd Glenmalure Lodge 3rd Menindee

John Ryan is not one for leaving his horses in their boxes if there's prize money to be gained and CHIEF SEATTLE has been kept busy since winning here last month where he finished well to collar the selection in the first division of this handicap, Sittingonthefence. The seven-year-old has been running well over fences including when fourth at Kilbeggan on Friday night and a 6lb rise for that course hurdles win could well look more manageable after the outcome of the previous contest. Townhill Penny has been in good form at Downpatrick and is up 5lb for a hard-fought victory there earlier this month. She has top weight while down the other end of the handicap, Western Dreaming has good claims on recent efforts. His Killarney fifth has worked out remarkably well with the winner, third and fourth all scoring since and his Tramore third has also been boosted since. Adele Co showed more when sixth in that Tramore contest and merits respect along with Whatsstoppingyou who twice ran well over 3m earlier in the summer.
Prediction : 1st Chief Seattle 2nd Western Dreaming 3rd Townhill Penny

CAPE GENTLEMAN is the highest rated runner in the line-up and should prove hard to beat. Sent off an odds-on chance, he was made to work hard for his win on the level at Killarney on Thursday last. Regarding this engagement his trainer Emmet Mullins later said: "He is a brilliant jumper and looks well in for that chase." Willie Mullins saddles both Fan De Blues and Grand Bornand, with Daryl Jacob returning home to partner the Simon Muir and Isaac Souede owned latter. A Grade 3 winner over fences, the son of Poliglote was a fine third in the Galway Blazers on his most recent start and should give the selection plenty to think about. Exit Poll ran a cracker to finish second in a Grade B contest at Killarney on Saturday and if turned out again quickly he is capable of making his presence felt. For Everyone was impressive when winning at Tipperary last month and is the most interesting of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Cape Gentleman 2nd Fan De Blues 3rd Exit Poll

One For Joe and Norwigi are both of interest and could come alive in the market. The former is tried in cheekpieces for the first time, while the latter has some solid form to her name and returns now after a three-month break. Henry de Bromhead and John Ryan are both double handed, with preference for the de Bromhead-trained WHACKER CLAN. A point-to-point winner for John Halley, he was successful over flights on his penultimate start at Tipperary. The Westerner gelding since disappointed on his racecourse debut over fences but is entitled to come on for that run and is fitted with cheekpieces for the first time now. Mutual Respect is given second preference. He was a close third on his debut over fences at Tramore in June and had two subsequent winners in behind. A respectable sixth on his most recent start at Wexford, he was later disqualified after his rider failed to weigh-in. In truth, a strong case can be made for nearly all of these.
Prediction : 1st Whacker Clan 2nd Mutual Respect 3rd Norwigi

An interesting contest to round off proceedings. With two placed efforts over hurdles to her name, BETTY DUTTON is probably the safest option. An encouraging third on debut at Roscommon, she stepped forward nicely from that run, just failing to peg back the 118 rated Evergreen And Red on her most recent start at Tramore. It's interesting that connections have now opted to try the Frozen Fire bay in a bumper, with Pat Taaffe a positive jockey booking. Newcomers Little Soiree and Catchabird are of definite interest, with the latter a full-sister to dual Grade 2 winner Getabird. The former hails from the all-conquering Willie Mullins yard and it'll come as no surprise if she is good enough to take this on debut. I Am Shadow is from a family full of winners and has definite claims after finishing second at the Galway Festival on her most recent start. Placed three times from four outings, Phils Choice is another leading contender, while the Gordon Elliott-trained Iconography also that warrants respect.
Prediction : 1st Betty Dutton 2nd Catchabird 3rd Little Soiree