18:15 Ballinrobe

Monday 10 August 2020

All16:4017:1017:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:15

Yupana Inc California Handicap Hurdle (80-95) (Div 2)

Off time: 18:15 | Winning time: 4m 5.20s

Old Town Road^h¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: D F O'Regan| T: Miss S J Harty| OR: 92| BF

7/1

Solid effort when second in Thurles handicap hurdle back in October and didn't disappoint on last jumps effort at that track a month later. No show on flat latest but claims on hurdles form.

Form: 56025-

Casamari Abbey¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Danny Mullins| T: P A Fahy| OR: 91

9/2

Had been unplaced in most of his runs over hurdles but changed that slightly when only beaten 12L in 2m1f handicap hurdle here last month. Eased 2lb since so is getting relief from the handicapper.

Form: 799-806

Ilikehim^b¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: J B Kane⁽⁵⁾| T: W Durkan| OR: 91

4/1

Solid and consistent in a couple of Flat starts this term and didn't fare badly on return to hurdles when fifth in 2m1f handicap hurdle here last month. Might be on a right path now.

Form: 8/00-5

Breezy Bell¹⁸⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr C W McCormack⁽⁷⁾| T: E Cawley| OR: 90

9/2

Not much shout about in now five poor efforts over hurdles, including 29L turnover at Thurles (2m6f) in February. Plenty to find on that evidence.

Form: 00009-

Blackyellowred^b,t³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: L P Dempsey| T: D J Barry| OR: 89

9/2

Still a maiden but usually runs his promising race, including when solid second on return to hurdles at Killarney (2m1f) last month. Only up 2lb so must be shortlisted.

Form: 8220-92

The Girl That Sang^t¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: E J O'Grady| OR: 89

8/1

Best effort came well over a year ago and not really landing a telling blow of late. Beaten 9L into seventh at Tramore (2m) and makes a return into deeper company.

Form: 308-477

But I Like It¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: Simon Torrens⁽⁷⁾| T: F Birrane| OR: 92

22/1

Beaten a long way in most recent hurdle starts and flattered when 18L fifth in 2m Limerick hurdle at the end of July. Current hurdle mark demands more.

Form: 9-95

Acrux Cass^b1⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: M J McDonagh| OR: 84

28/1

Yet to hit the frame in six starts over hurdles and arguably regressed when pulling up at Kilbeggan (2m) at the start of the month. Very hard to make a case for.

Form: 0P/00-6P

Feagreen Native¹⁷⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Gearoid Brouder⁽⁷⁾| T: P McCreery| OR: 83

33/1

Exclusively seen in point-to-point company last winter, winning in November before failing to complete in three subsequent starts. Form book isn't overly inspiring.

Form: 00/1PFU-

Fair Minded¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: J S McGarvey| T: D McDonogh| OR: 81

10/1

Has been tailed off in all starts in this sphere to date and took another poor step when beaten 25L in 2m1f hurdle here last month. Eased 2lb but has a mammoth task.

Form: 6/0009-0

Geoffrey's Girl^h,t⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Phillip Enright| T: S J Mahon| OR: 80

80/1

23-race maiden under both codes and not showing signs of that ending. Latest 72L defeat suggests she will find this task incredibly tough.

Form: 7P9F7-0

Non-Runners

Romella¹⁵⁸

Weight: 12-0| Age: 6

T: J J Walsh J: Phillip Enright

I'm On Snap¹⁸

Weight: 11-4| Age: 6

T: N McCluskey J: E Walsh

Her Approval¹⁹

Weight: 11-3| Age: 5

T: T Mullins J: D J Mullins

Forecasts

Ilikehim (4/1), Romella (4/1), Breezy Bell (9/2), Casamari Abbey (9/2), Blackyellowred (9/2), Old Town Road (7/1), The Girl That Sang (8/1), Fair Minded (10/1), I'm On Snap (12/1), Her Approval (16/1), But I Like It (22/1), Acrux Cass (28/1), Feagreen Native (33/1), Geoffrey's Girl (80/1)

While a lot of the best form comes from towards the top of the weights, it may be worth taking a chance on one in Blackyellowred. The seven-year-old took a sizeable step back in the right direction last month and only a 2lb rise suggests he is being given another chance by the handicapper in this. Romella isn't seen that often but typically runs her race off this mark and the absence shouldn't be much concern, while the likes of Old Town Road and Ilikehim suggested they were on the right pathways with their latest encouraging efforts.