20:30 Ballinrobe

Tuesday 30 May 2017

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

McHale Mayo National Handicap Chase

Off time: 20:30 | Winning time: 5m 46.3s

Sambremont^p³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 137

10/1

More letters than numbers in his recent form figures having completed only one of his last six starts, and that is enough of a concern to prevent him being a betting proposition, even if he does get some class relief here.

Form: BP2PPP-

Champagne Harmony¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: D F O'Regan| T: S J Mahon| OR: 135

9/2

Has won two of his last three races, though the last was a small-field novice handicap affair, and this is a different proposition altogether, though only a 2lb increase in the weights could prove lenient.

Form: 27415-1

Full Cry^t⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: D Robinson⁽⁵⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 135

11/2

Has run well in better races than this recently and was clearly outclassed when pulled up in Listed contest at Aintree last time. This is a more suitable assignment, though it should be a competitive enough challenge for him.

Form: 11324P-

Definite Ruby^b³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 133| D

9/1

Comes into this holding some of the best recent form on offer, but has to defy a 7lb rise in the weights, which could prove difficult. Has run well over this C&D before, though, and will enjoy the ground, so cannot be ruled out.

Form: 7/12141-

Hash Brown^t³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Mark Walsh| T: M Hourigan| OR: 129| C| D

9/2

Is eased in class here having struggled slightly in more difficult races than this lately. Remains on a similar mark to those outings but could put in a better performance against a decidedly easier opposition.

Form: P31P54-

Kilcarry Bridge^t³²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Donagh Meyler⁽³⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 129| C

8/1

Hasn't been in bad form recently and finished a long way ahead of Retour En France at Navan two starts ago. That was on his favoured softer ground, though, and he could find things trickier now back on a sounder surface.

Form: 572124-

Aranhill Chief^t²¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Rachael Blackmore⁽³⁾| T: S J Mahon| OR: 128

20/1

Unseated his rider in a race won by Hash Brown last time, but has run well behind the likes of Snow Falcon in his recent starts, and could be thereabouts if able to repeat that level of form.

Form: 14238U-

Bashful Beauty¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: Sean Flanagan| T: J Feane| OR: 126| BF| C

14/1

Hasn't been setting the world alight over hurdles recently but is much better while chasing with form figures of 12 over the larger obstacles since the beginning of last year. Handicap mark may be a little high but he is big player if able to overcome that. Also engaged yesterday 8:30 Ballinrobe.

Form: 0747-33

Retour En France^p³²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 125

9/2

Slightly inconsistent type who is capable of running a very big race when she wants to. On the same mark as when well held in handicap company the last twice, but this should prove to be an easier assignment, and she could well go close.

Form: 2/22154-

Love Rory^b1³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: J S McGarvey| T: E Bolger| OR: 119

10/1

Cross Country specialist who has not won outside that sphere since December 2012, an has never gotten his head in front over regulation fences. Does have a nice low weight to carry here and first time blinkers are interesting, but others hold more convincing claims all the same.

Form: 745R42-

Non-Runners

Jetstream Jack³⁴

Weight: 11-10| Age: 7

T: G Elliott J: D N Russell

Net D'Ecosse²⁹

Weight: 10-9| Age: 7

T: N Meade J: B J Cooper

Whatareudoingtome¹⁵

Weight: 10-4| Age: 7

T: J P Dempsey J: L P Dempsey

Forecasts

Hash Brown (9/2), Champagne Harmony (9/2), Retour En France (9/2), Jetstream Jack (9/2), Net D'Ecosse (5/1), Full Cry (11/2), Kilcarry Bridge (8/1), Definite Ruby (9/1), Love Rory (10/1), Sambremont (10/1), Whatareudoingtome (12/1), Bashful Beauty (14/1), Aranhill Chief (20/1)

Retour En France is a slightly risky proposition given she's fairly inconsistent, but on her best form she deserves to be right in the mix in this competitive contest, while Jetstream Jack is high enough in the weights but could end up proving the class act in this field. Preference, however, is for NET D'ECOSSE. Noel Meade's gelding has been lightly-raced in the past couple of years but was beaten only narrowly at Down Royal last time and if able to repeat that form should go very close indeed here, having shown flashes of great ability on some of his previous starts.