18:45 Ballinrobe

Monday 27 May 2019

All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:45

Monroe's Live John Monroe Memorial Mares Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 18:45 | Winning time: 3m 59.9s

Dixie Lee¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: D F O'Regan| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 126| D

12/1

Winner of two of her 22 starts over hurdles, hitting the frame on a further two occasions. Distance winner who can build on a satisfactory seasonal debut at Killarney earlier this month. Place claims.

Form: 313P0-3

Ejayteekay¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Paul Townend| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 121| D

9/2

Solid and consistent sort, running well in a number of starts since February including a win over this trip in a Navan contest in March off a 9lb lower mark. Big chance with winning jockey back on board.

Form: 46312-3

Feeling The Love^t¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: J S McGarvey| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 121| D

12/1

Landed a hat-trick of wins in a fruitful summer hurdling campaign including a couple of successes over this trip. Appears to be suffering for his victories now starting off a career high mark.

Form: 1113-70

Like An Open Book¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: M P Burke⁽⁷⁾| T: J M Burke| OR: 120| D

16/1

Winner of two of her 20 starts over hurdles, hitting the frame on a further four occasions. Ran well in defeat on latest start at Killarney over 2m1f but 13-run of defeats is a concern.

Form: 333F5-5

Bercasa¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: R M Power| T: T Mullins| OR: 123| C

11/2

Off the mark over hurdles at just the second time of asking for connections landing a 10 runner, 2m½f maiden here last month. Well held on handicap debut at Punchestown earlier in the month and needs a couple of the main protagonists to falter.

Form: 31-0

Rain In Spain¹⁷⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Ricky Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: C O'Brien| OR: 115| D

33/1

Completed a double when winning over an extended 2m6f on good ground at Thurles before a heavy defeat at the same venue when last seen in November. Will likely appreciate this run on return to action.

Form: 662115-

Elm Grove^t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Donagh Meyler| T: Madeleine Tylicki| OR: 111| C| D

11/2

Landed her sole win in seven hurdle starts over this trip at Limerick in March off a 9lb lower mark. Ran well in defeat off her new mark at Fairyhouse and Punchestown. Liable to find a couple stronger.

Form: 4/3814-5

Just Klass³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Danny Mullins| T: M L Fagan| OR: 107| D

12/1

Won a 24-runner 2m Cork maiden hurdle in August during a consistent summer jumping campaign. Not in the same kind of form since returning to action in March and others look more convincing at the moment.

Form: 451554-

Presenting Mahler²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: K J Brouder⁽⁵⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 105| D

11/2

Has been seen over the larger obstacles in a number of starts since February, winning on her latest start at Down Royal earlier this month. Two from 40 over hurdles and yard known to ready a winner at this meeting.

Form: 04353-1

Smiling Eliza^p³³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: P J Vaughan⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 112| D

28/1

Tow from 12 over hurdles but completely out of form in five starts since the turn of the year. Unlikely to be playing a part in the finish here.

Form: 86D509-

Arctic Sofia^t¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Darragh O'Keeffe⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 99| D

7/2

Off the mark for connections when landing a Kilbeggan handicap hurdle over this trip earlier this month off a 7lb lower mark on first start for leading yard. More to come.

Form: 02426-1

Forecasts

Arctic Sofia (7/2), Ejayteekay (9/2), Bercasa (11/2), Elm Grove (11/2), Presenting Mahler (11/2), Just Klass (12/1), Dixie Lee (12/1), Feeling The Love (12/1), Like An Open Book (16/1), Smiling Eliza (28/1), Rain In Spain (33/1)

The J P Ryan yard usually go well with their handicap hurdlers at this meeting in the last four years and recent chase winner, PRESENTING MAHLER can land the spoils. The mare, successful over the larger obstacles at Down Royal earlier this month can add to her two hurdle wins to date at the expense of Bercasa and Dixie Lee. The Gavin Cromwell-trained, Ejayteekay and Arctic Sofia are also worthy of consideration.