18:40 Ballinrobe

Monday 12 August 2019

All17:4018:1018:4019:1019:4020:1020:40

Yupana Inc California Handicap Hurdle (80-95)

Off time: 18:44 | Winning time: 4m 10.5s

Alfred Wegener²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: C P McNamara⁽⁷⁾| T: E McNamara| OR: 95

12/1

Winner of just one of his nine starts over hurdles, coming over 12 months ago in a Limerick handicap off a 6lb lower mark. Still looks in the grip of the handicapper.

Form: 9/100-B0

Derby De Thaix^t1¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: K J Brouder⁽⁵⁾| T: G T Lynch| OR: 95

7/2

Not in the form required to play a major role in this contest on the balance of his hurdling efforts since May.

Form: 58-06P6

Youngnedofthehill^h,t³¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: R M Power| T: S Nolan| OR: 92| CD

10/3

Stingy return of just one hurdle success in 29 starts. Sole win came over C&D two years ago off a 6lb lower mark. Little sign of a return to winning ways looking at the King's Theatre gelding's efforts at Down Royal and more recently at Cork.

Form: 46-0U58

Trenchtown Rock²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Darragh O'Keeffe⁽⁵⁾| T: V T O'Brien| OR: 90

11/1

Off the mark for connections over hurdles at the ninth time of asking when landing a Wexford 2m handicap off a 5lb lower mark in April. Well held since and others look more compelling.

Form: 0081-00

Joy's Gift^p1²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁷⁾| T: P Maher| OR: 89

5/1

Running well in defeat in two of his last three starts over timber, including when fifth of 16 behind Pump Road here last month. Return to this trip should suit and not without a chance in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 46F-575

Crafty Codger^p1⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: R P Treacy⁽⁵⁾| T: E O'Connell| OR: 88

16/1

Struggled twice on the Flat following a return from a 705-day absence before a further defeat at the Galway festival earlier this month. First-time cheekpieces added and best watched for the time being unless market vibes suggest otherwise.

Form: 060S0/0

Disco Musik⁶⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: D J McInerney| T: M J McDonagh| OR: 85

11/1

nine-race maiden who appears to be struggling over both the larger obstacles and in four dour efforts over hurdles. Plenty of questions to be answered at present.

Form: PU975-F

Silvretta Schwarz³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: J P O'Sullivan⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 88

33/1

Has struggled on her three starts over hurdles so far, including latest when finishing tailed off at odds of 100/1 in a Cork maiden last month. Others preferred.

Form: 7-80

Mosstown Miller^p1¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: J J Slevin| T: P J F Hassett| OR: 82

4/1

Without a win in eight starts over hurdles and first time cheekpieces unlikely to bring about the required amount of improvement needed to play a role here.

Form: 0589/05

Kilcolgan Rocket²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: S J Mahon| OR: 81

16/1

Eight-race maiden over hurdles who has been looking a little overwhelmed in a number of innocuous efforts since returning to action in May. Well below par form looks set to continue.

Form: F0-P00U

Dragon Queen⁷⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: C D Maxwell| T: M Flannery| OR: 80

25/1

Seven-race maiden over hurdle, yet to hit the frame on any occasion. Not seen since pulling up with a circuit to go here in May and others clearly hold stronger claims.

Form: 006-90P

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to board prices only - deduction 10p in the pound

Non-Runners

Baby Bellini²⁰⁹

Weight: 11-2| Age: 8

T: I Madden J: D P Holden

Forecasts

Youngnedofthehill (10/3), Derby De Thaix (7/2), Mosstown Miller (4/1), Joy's Gift (5/1), Baby Bellini (13/2), Trenchtown Rock (11/1), Disco Musik (11/1), Alfred Wegener (12/1), Crafty Codger (16/1), Kilcolgan Rocket (16/1), Dragon Queen (25/1), Silvretta Schwarz (33/1)

The Peter Maher-trained, JOY'S GIFT can get off the mark for connections at the 16th time of asking over hurdles with the daughter of Mr Dinos showing more spark than most of today's rivals in her most recent starts. The eight-year-old can win at the expense of Baby Bellini, winner at the Galway festival over 12 months ago on her third last run and Youngnedofthehill who will look to improve on recent efforts in the hands of Robbie Power.