18:20 Sligo

Wednesday 5 August 2020

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

Kilcawley Construction Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 18:20 | Winning time: 5m 6.3s

Bal De Rio^p⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Donagh Meyler| T: D Hogan| OR: 116

7/4

Mixed performer who has returned this season in solid form. Posted best effort so far when 3L fourth in Galway handicap (2m) last week and solid claims if replicating that form over hurdles.

Form: 2424-53

Gagas Horse^h,t²⁶⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Daire James McConville⁽⁷⁾| T: R K Watson| OR: 109

50/1

Good third at Ballinrobe in April 2019 seems to have flattered this nine-year-old, who has been tailed off in three starts since. Not seen since November and best watched on stable debut.

Form: P83/900-

Gun Merchant^p1¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: L P Dempsey| T: G Elliott| OR: 112| BF

3/1

Off the mark in bumpers last term but not as good over hurdles. Well-fancied to get off the mark at Galway last week but finished poor sixth (3m). Little bit to prove now.

Form: 453P-56

Malbas¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: C F Hart⁽⁷⁾| T: D Hogan

7/1

Modest sort on the Flat whose last win came at Bellewstown nearly a year ago. Well-held in two starts this term however and looks trainer's second-string on hurdles bow.

Form:

Ballinruddy^t⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Eoin G Kelly⁽⁷⁾| T: P W Flynn

150/1

Related to some smart types but very poor in two hurdle starts, including 103L turnaover at Kilbeggan (2m) four days ago. Likely to be long outsider once more.

Form: P0

Jerry Russell¹³⁶

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

9/1

Some ability in bumpers but sent off 100/1 and ran accordingly when sixth of 15 at Downpatrick (2m3f) in March. Needs more on return from short break.

Form: 7/376-

Nero Rock¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: D J McInerney| T: M F Morris| OR: 114

3/1

Not the most consistent hurdling but was only beaten 3L at Thurles (2m) in March and not bad when beaten 6L into fifth at Cork (2m4f) last month. Some claims if bettering that.

Form: P0304-5

Rian Thomas³⁶¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Shane O'Callaghan⁽⁷⁾| T: T M Walsh

25/1

Had been an improving sort over the summer last term, but regressed when beaten 7L in Kilbeggan bumper (2m) last August. Changed hands since but has been off a long time.

Form: 30/26-

Forecasts

Bal De Rio (7/4), Nero Rock (3/1), Gun Merchant (3/1), Malbas (7/1), Jerry Russell (9/1), Rian Thomas (25/1), Gagas Horse (50/1), Ballinruddy (150/1)

Plenty of these horses have a bit to prove but one who doesn't is BAL DE RIO. He already has some encouraging efforts over timber, but his solid defeat in a handicap at the Galway Festival in late July suggests that there could still be plenty more to come. Nero Rock has finally strung two encouraging races together and may improve from his recent effort at Cork, while Gun Merchant and Jerry Russell have some modest ability, but looks to be slightly up against it on the ratings.