DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
TUESDAY MAY 26
5.30 BALLINROBE
The novice hurdle won Beauvallon at the Punchestown produced an unusually good speed figure and IMMEDIATE EFFECT, runner-up to Willie Mullins’ shock 28-1 winner, can prove the pick of the Gordon Elliott pair in this conditions contest.
With the well fancied pair Colcannon and Leader D’Allier both blowing out at the Kildare venue, the son of Study of Man appeared to be one of the most logical recipients of the golden opportunity presented at his feet as the rest of the field turned for home but despite doing little wrong from that juncture, he couldn’t quite contain the eventual winer, who was just too good on the day.
However, he did keep on well to finish nicely clear of the rest and with today’s sharper track likely to suit a horse who had form on the flat over a mile (had the pace to only get beaten a length by the smart Danger Bay), the four-year-old can add to his sole victory over hurdles.
IMMEDIATE EFFECT – 1-point win@11-4
6.00 BALLINROBE
Not the classiest maiden hurdle on paper and it looks well within the range of MAXFORT, who has indicated more than his fair share of promise in three starts to date.
Noel Stokes’ gelding caught the eye on his hurdles debut at Cork, keeping on well to finish third behind the classy The Reverand, and despite beaten over 20 lengths on his next outing at Thurles, he was the only one who had the quality to keep tabs for a long way with the likes of Laurents D’Estruval and Jet To Monte Carlo.
Upped in trip to 2m3f when last seen, the son of Rajj once again travelled noticeably well against horses of significance in an above-average event at Clonmel (winner third in a Grade 1, while Arcadian Emperor and Speculator both won since) but in the end he just lacked the stamina on bad winter ground to get home and he faded to finish a well beaten fifth.
Still, in the context of tonight’s contest, it wasn’t a bad effort and with the strong feeling that a sharp two miles on well prepared summer jumping ground (jockeys reported perfect conditions here yesterday) could prove ideal, the lightly raced five-year-old is fancied to have a say in the outcome.
MAXFORT – 1-point each-way@8-1
7.30 BALLINROBE
BHEAN SAIBHRE arrives here following three perfectly decent efforts under both codes and with a return to a track that has seen her go well each time in the past a big positive, Aidan Howard’s mare rates a strong choice to keep that record intact.
Although twice a beaten favourite on the flat since her return to the fray, the daughter of Decorated Knight probably found heavy ground the chief source of the blame and last time out over hurdles at Kilbeggan, she just looked a little rusty in a race that was run at a sound gallop.
However, she should be just about spot on now with those three runs under her belt and based on her three runs around today’s track, there is a decent chance her game will be sufficiently raised for her to be a factor.
Placed on her first two starts at the Mayo venue, she bolted up when last seen here just under a year ago and with her favoured good ground in place, it would be a surprise if she doesn’t fit one of the five places on offer with most firms.
BHEAN SAIBHRE – 1-point each-way@9-1 (five places)