17:50 Sligo

Wednesday 5 August 2020

All16:1516:4517:2017:5018:2018:5019:20

Blind Tiger Bar & Restaurant Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 17:50 | Winning time: 5m 59.40s

Royal Aide^t⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Donagh Meyler| T: D Hogan| OR: 112

10/3

0-5 over hurdles but has ran into two nice types recently, including when third to smart sort at Galway (2m) last week. This should be easier. Shortlisted.

Form: 95-523

Ballinlina Boy^b,t²⁰¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: D F O'Regan| T: R K Watson| OR: 94

50/1

Now becoming a long-standing maiden and very little to shout about, pulling up on last three starts including at Musselburgh (2m4f) in January. Plenty to find.

Form: 665P/PP-

Coeur Aimant¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: L P Dempsey| T: G Elliott

22/1

€40,000 purchase as a three-year-old and related to some smart types. Shaped well for a long way before finishing 17L fourth in Limerick bumper last month. Not to be dismissed for top yard on hurdles bow.

Form: 4

Crobally Boy²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: B J Cooper| T: J J Hanlon

13/2

Stowaway gelding. Very good third on debut at Kilbeggan in June and filled the same position behind impressive winner at Downpatrick (2m2f) last month. Top claims on hurdles debut.

Form: 33

Friary Rock^p¹⁸¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: J J Slevin| T: M F Morris| OR: 116

6/4

Six-time maiden. Best effort came when second at Wexford in October 2019 but not as good since. Latest 45L defeat at Thurles (2m6f) demands much more.

Form: 5/25537-

General Gold^t¹⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: P J Cawley⁽⁷⁾| T: V Wilson| OR: 80

100/1

Veteran who is a long-standing maiden. Very poor when last seen trailing 64L ninth at Ballinrobe (2m1f) last month and on all form looks to face a very stiff task.

Form: 56/59P-9

Henry Sellers¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: J G Gilligan⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Gilligan| OR: 100

8/1

Posted career-best effort when second in Limerick handicap hurdle in June but struggled in two efforts since, including 43L ninth at Kilbeggan (3m1f) last month. Needs a lot more.

Form: 570-279

Kelter's Dawn³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Liam McKenna⁽⁷⁾| T: J J Lambe| OR: 97

12/1

Returned from 15-month absence and first run for this yard when good third of seven at Kilbeggan (2m4f, 50-1) in June. Deeper contest but every chance he can build on that run.

Form: 60700/3

Mr Lombardi^b¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: D J McInerney| T: M F Morris

5/1

Had been soundly beaten in first three hurdle starts during the winter but found marked improvement when third at Cork (2m4f) in late July. Needs to prove that wasn't a fluke but shortlisted.

Form: 0P0-3

Non-Runners

Jimli's Island

Weight: 11-2| Age: 4

T: R K Watson J: P J O'Hanlon

Forecasts

Friary Rock (6/4), Royal Aide (10/3), Mr Lombardi (5/1), Crobally Boy (13/2), Henry Sellers (8/1), Kelter's Dawn (12/1), Coeur Aimant (22/1), Jimli's Island (25/1), Ballinlina Boy (50/1), General Gold (100/1)

Not much can separate the main protagonists in the field, but preference is for the top-weight ROYAL AIDE to finally get off the mark. One of the more experienced in the field, he ran with credit behind a potential graded performer last time out and suggested this trip may suit better. Crobally Boy has done nothing wrong on his first two starts under rules and looks the main danger on his hurdles debut, while both Kelter's Dawn and Mr Lombardi registered career-best efforts last time out, but one would be worried that they could be one-off efforts.