UK Horse Racing Tips: Ballinrobe

Sam Ewing will be sporting the Galway Plate-winning colours of Pinkerton aboard KAPTAIN BAY and the son of New Bay can make a winning debut over hurdles. Although yet to run in a handicap, he has a Flat mark of 74 after showing promise in his first two starts. Gelded and given a break after finishing fourth at the Curragh in April, last month's outing at the same venue should leave him spot on for this. Solar Drive has been consistent on the level and holds a mark of 68 in that sphere after winning for a second time over 1m4f at Cork. Game Phoenix had a few of these rivals behind when second at Killarney and may fare best of those with hurdling experience
Prediction : 1st Kaptain Bay 2nd Solar Drive 3rd Game Phoenix

After CRISTAL CLERE won on the Flat at Leopardstown for the second time in four days last year, owner-trainer John Nallen revealed that he had been jumping hurdles and fences at home, so there are few worries about him on that score as he starts out over flights. Runner-up in a Listed contest at Roscommon last month, he's now rated 100 on the level and Rachael Blackmore can guide him to success here. Houlanbatordechais has been running in winter maidens and was a creditable sixth in a strong contest at Leopardstown last Christmas. He may well appreciate this drier surface. Frankendael, third to a subsequent winner over C&D last month, looks the other main protagonist.
Prediction : 1st Cristal Clere 2nd Houlanbatordechais 3rd Frankendael

STORMALONG may have been an unlucky loser when third here last month after being shuffled back at a crucial stage before staying on well over this trip. That form has since been boosted and the bumper winner, who was consistent in late summer last year, may be able to make the breakthrough over hurdles. Baltinglass Hill, who won this contest in 2021, was touched off at Wexford on Friday by a horse that finished just behind the selection here last month. C&D maiden winner Drumgill followed up at Sligo last week, but a 7lb penalty leaves him with a welter burden.
Prediction : 1st Stormalong 2nd Baltinglass Hill 3rd Drumgill

MAYOS VENDANGEUR, whose trainer is back amongst the winners, has shown a glimmer of ability in both handicap outings and might appreciate this shorter trip after running out of steam over 2m6f here last month. That was after a layoff and the five-year-old should have her confidence restored after an unfortunate mishap at Downpatrick on her previous start. Top weight The Vegas Raider makes the short journey from Galway and has twice been placed at this venue. His second to a progressive mare at Downpatrick last time was his best effort over hurdles. Long-standing maiden So Easy Way had been stuck on the minimum rating of 80 for a long time before his creditable third at Cork a week ago.
Prediction : 1st Mayos Vendangeur 2nd The Vegas Raider 3rd So Easy Way

THE DABBLER relishes a test of stamina and recorded his first hurdle win over this trip at Sligo last time when staying on well in the straight to beat Solo Flight. Ross Berry again claims 7lb and any rain certainly wouldn't hinder the chances of the two-time chase winner. Kilashee may prove the pick of John Ryan's trio having initiated a hat-trick of wins with a runaway success at Kilbeggan and again made all for a comfortable win over 2m6f here last month. She's gone up a combined 23lb for those victories and Cian Quirke now claims 5lb, while others to consider include Dorans Law and Flidais.
Prediction : 1st The Dabbler 2nd Kilashee 3rd Dorans Law

Arctic Gale and FIELD A THISTLES clash again after their encounter at Galway at the end of last month. Arctic Gale had the upper hand on that occasion when the pair finished close up behind Lightkeeper. However Mags Mullins' mare gets the nod on slightly better terms and she did upstage Arctic Gale when they competed behind Half A Chance at Limerick in May. Mullins also has A Tipp For Gold in the field. He's not without hope either, but it won't be easy for him on his first start since March, conceding weight away all round on hurdling debut.
Prediction : 1st Field A Thistles 2nd Arctic Gale 3rd A Tipp For Gold

IL SILENZIO competed on this programme a year ago and didn't exactly cover himself in glory with a towards the rear finish. However, over this longer trip now, Martin Brassil's charge would seem better placed to make a more telling impression. A lightly-raced sort, the selection took a step forward for the addition of headgear last time, and it's hardly a surprise to see it retained now. There's no shortage of choice for punters as a surprising amount of these, given the grade, demand close attention. Noel Kelly is doubly represented. His C&D scorer Coastal World may be stable select, coming off a second placing, while the consistent My Friend The Wind completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Il Silenzio 2nd Coastal World 3rd My Friend The Wind