18:30 Ballinrobe

Tuesday 30 May 2017

All18:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:3021:00

McHale F5500 Baler Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 18:30 | Winning time: 4m 45.6s

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Selected odds by:

Muhaafiz⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: D J Mullins| T: V T O'Brien| OR: 101

12/1

Was a fair Flat horse when trained by David Brown but hasn't quite made the same impression over hurdles so far. His performance last time was more encouraging, however, and he has the services of this top jockey for the first time now.

Form: 56774-

Timi Roli²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| BF

5/2

The fact he was beaten favourite at odds-on the last twice should perhaps be a cause for some concern at this point, but he has still run well and, more importantly, green, throughout his races. He looks like he is waiting to win a maiden hurdle and this could be the perfect opportunity.

Form: 33-3

Benefit Run

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Rachael Blackmore⁽³⁾| T: J Monroe

50/1

Beaten 20L+ on all three starts in maiden hurdles so far, and arguably the least encouraging of those was last time out when tackling a sounder surface for the first time at Fairyhouse (2m, good to yielding). Would be more interesting if the rain came but still liable to get outclassed.

Form:

Dee Jo Val⁷⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: R Loughran| T: Eamon Courtney

100/1

Finished 12th and was pulled up in two attempts at point to points almost a year apart and goes for a yard not necessarily associated with first time out winners under rules.

Form: 0P-

Great Khan¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: A E Lynch| T: E J O'Grady

5/2

Showed plenty of improvement to finish second at Kilbeggan last time (2m3½f, yielding), and could continue that upward progress here. This could be a little bit harder, but with the trip/ground to suit, another big run can be expected.

Form: 43/382-2

Oath Breaker^t¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Brian Hayes| T: J P O'Brien

33/1

Showed little in a point to point followed by two attempts at bumpers and now switches to hurdles for the first time. Difficult to fancy on the basis of those performances and on pedigree should make more of a chaser in time.

Form: P5-0

Penance¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: J M Moore| T: T Gibney

10/1

Finished second on his third attempt at a maiden hurdle last time to a talented-looking horse of Gordon Elliott's at Downpatrick last time out and is definitely going the right way. Would be of particular interest if that horse of Elliott's runs well in the previous contest at this meeting.

Form: 5980-2

Riverrainshine²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: D F O'Regan| T: S J Mahon

10/1

Seemed to enjoy the sounder surface when putting in a career-best performance at Ballinrobe last time (2m4½f, good), to finish a decent third, having been well beaten in softer conditions prior to that. Should get similar ground today and though others potentially have more scope, he should at least be in contention for a place.

Form: 435P5-3

Thecraicisninety⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: M P Walsh| T: C Roche

11/4

Point-to-point winner who makes his hurdling debut having failed to impress in chases under rules in five attempts during the previous jumps season. Given his lackluster performances in that sphere, enthusiasm cannot be high now, given that as a former pointer fences should suit him better.

Form: 1/3067P-

Vodka Society¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Robbie Colgan| T: D P Dunne

100/1

Belatedly started his career earlier this year in a novice chase which resulted in him unseating the rider (jumping very poorly throughout), and has been no better in a pair of maiden hurdles since. Another minor role looks likely here.

Form: U0-0

About You⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: D E Mullins| T: M Hourigan

33/1

Won a point to point earlier in the month but was well beaten in her won attempt at a race under rules, in a Tipperary bumper, and another minor role looks likely in what shouldn't prove to be the easiest start to a hurdling career.

Form: 9F2-91

Baby Moon¹⁹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: B Browne⁽⁷⁾| T: S K Ryder

100/1

Has faced 16 rivals to far and has managed to beat three of them home (one of whom fell), and has as a result looked a very long way out of her depth in maiden hurdles. Easily dismissed.

Form: 80-

Presenting Court⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: K C Sexton| T: S J Mahon

100/1

Has shown little in a bumper then a maiden hurdle so far, having been sent off at big prices for both of them. Much more required now and she looks an unappealing proposition.

Form: P-00

Non-Runners

Darcy Mcgees⁴⁴

Weight: 11-4| Age: 6

T: J T R Dreaper J: Sean Flanagan

Forecasts

Timi Roli (5/2), Great Khan (5/2), Thecraicisninety (11/4), Penance (10/1), Riverrainshine (10/1), Muhaafiz (12/1), Darcy Mcgees (20/1), About You (33/1), Oath Breaker (33/1), Benefit Run (50/1), Baby Moon (100/1), Vodka Society (100/1), Dee Jo Val (100/1), Presenting Court (100/1)

Around half of this field are very difficult to make a case for, but the half who have a better chance could prove difficult to separate. Among these, preference is for GREAT KHAN, who should enjoy the conditions here today and has shown plenty of improvement, especially on his last start (where he was unlucky to be beaten), with more likely to come. Timi Roli has been beaten at odds-on twice in a row now which has to be a concern, but he clearly has plenty of talent, while Muhaafiz was a decent performer on the Flat who started to show some of that talent over hurdles for the first time on his last start.