18:40 Ballinrobe

Friday 21 September 2018

All15:3016:0016:3517:1017:4018:1018:4019:10

Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase (0-109)

Off time: 18:40 | Winning time: 6m 6.60s

Holly Flight^t⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: D J McInerney| T: P O'Flynn| OR: 105

5/1

Steadily improving over fences at a lowly level and likely would have done so again (might have placed) bar unseating rider late on in Listowel novice contest (2m6f, soft) eight days ago. Player in this line-up.

Form: 69P33U

Double Portrait^b¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: A McCurtin⁽²⁾| T: S J Mahon| OR: 100

6/1

Mostly disappointing in four starts since going chasing in July, did improve slightly last time at Wexford (3m1f, good to yielding) but still left needing extra from somewhere.

Form: 5838P5

Ringrone Castle²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: R P Treacy| T: R J Tierney| OR: 98

5/1

Had shown bits of form in point-to-points this year prior to winning 3m½f handicap chase at Roscommon (good) last month, well beaten off increased mark at Kilbeggan but possible will be better suited around here.

Form: P-P3217

Mic Milano^t²⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 10-12| J: T N Brett⁽⁴⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 92| C

6/1

Yet to win in six over fences but runner-up last September at Sligo behind useful Poormans Hill and might have given him a scare bar horrible jump at the last. Poor in three hurdles starts this term, but not discounted back over these obstacles.

Form: 472-697

Fergiethelegend^b⁹³

Age: 12| Weight: 10-5| J: C A Landers⁽⁴⁾| T: J G Carr| OR: 85

6/1

Tough and as gallant as ever this term having his fifth run of the season following a win at Wexford in May off a 6lb lower mark. Back from a break now and on the shortlist.

Form: 78-1240

Rock On Barney^b1⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: E T Daly⁽⁴⁾| T: G T Lynch| OR: 85

5/1

Nothing of note in a series of gloomy efforts over fences since May, latest being four days ago at Galway (2m2f, soft). Tried blinkers now in attempt to turn things around.

Form: 8FP805

Betterthanalright²⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 10-4| J: A W Short⁽²⁾| T: L Casey| OR: 84| D

14/1

Veteran performer, won at Clonmel in March over this sort of trip on heavy going off a mark of 81. Rather lost his way lately however and hard to make a case for on three most recent starts.

Form: 523-P0P

Jamesmicheal⁴⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 9-10| J: Darragh O'Keeffe⁽⁴⁾| T: J Brassil| OR: 76

4/1

Without a win in six chase starts and generally well held in three spins over the larger obstacles since June before last month's improved showing at Roscommon (3m½f, good). Can be given a chance if able to replicate that now.

Form: 08-5055

Forecasts

Jamesmicheal (4/1), Rock On Barney (5/1), Holly Flight (5/1), Ringrone Castle (5/1), Double Portrait (6/1), Mic Milano (6/1), Fergiethelegend (6/1), Betterthanalright (14/1)

Holly Flight has been improving in this sphere and might have made the frame at Listowel last week bar a late unseat. She can't be discounted back in a handicap now. Fergiethelegend is a reliable yardstick and much-respected despite being one of the old boys in the field while Jamesmicheal and Ringrone Castle are also shortlisted. MIC MILANO was running his best race over fences at Sligo a year ago when giving the useful Poormans Hill a race on testing ground before he clattered the final fence and finished second. He'll have to bounce back having disappointed over timber since but might be capable.