19:38 Sligo

Wednesday 20 August 2025

All17:0517:3818:0818:3819:0819:3820:08

Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 19:38 | Winning time: 6m 33.50s

Macgiloney¹⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Paddy Hanlon⁽⁴⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 112| D

8/1

Veteran performer who has struggled over fences but ran better when reverting to hurdles. Finished sixth of 18 in handicap hurdle at Galway (40/1) 17 days ago, making headway under pressure and staying on late. Retains ability despite not winning for 15 races.

Form: P1PU-76

Sphagnum^p,t⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Dillon Maxwell⁽²⁾| T: J P Broderick| OR: 105| C| D

11/2

Better over fences than hurdles, finished eighth of 11 in handicap hurdle at Ballinrobe (7/1) 9 days ago, fading from 2 out after racing prominently. Likely needs more time to reach fitness.

Form: 281PF-8

Storm Mahler³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Calum Hogan⁽⁴⁾| T: E McNamara| OR: 104

11/2

Has shown ability when second in handicap hurdles at Tipperary and Limerick, but disappointed when 11th of 15 in handicap hurdle at Killarney (8/1) 34 days ago when racing wide. Step up in trip is an unknown factor.

Form: PP02-20

Pachmena^h1,t⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: J Smith⁽²⁾| T: M J Smith| OR: 103

8/1

Has shown mixed form over hurdles and on the flat, finishing third of 7 in flat claimer at Tramore (3/1) 43 days ago where fared better dropped in grade. First run for new trainer. Wears first-time hood for this significant step up in trip.

Form: 0/46440-

The Little Yank^b¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: H E Sexton⁽⁴⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 103| BF| C

8/1

Won a Kilbeggan hurdle 65 days ago but below par when seventh of 8 in chase at Kilbeggan (9/2) 11 days ago, racing off the pace without blinkers. Blinkers back on and could benefit from return to hurdles.

Form: 713827

Themanintheboots^p¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Finn Brickley⁽⁴⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 102

11/1

Mixed results over hurdles since winning in July 2023. Fifth of 16 in handicap hurdle at Roscommon (14/1) 15 days ago, showing improved fitness and taking a step in the right direction. Has slipped to an attractive mark and could be interesting if the market speaks in favour.

Form: 43/P7-85

Ballyglass Beauty¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: C G O'Dwyer| T: L P Cusack| OR: 101| CD

6/1

Has shown ability in handicap hurdles, promising 4th at this course and distance (14/1) 38 days ago. Finished 11th of 16 in handicap hurdle at Roscommon (16/1) 15 days ago, never threatening after brief headway. Previous course form suggests potential to bounce back at this familiar venue.

Form: 13P/040

Captain P^p1,t1²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Eoin Staples⁽⁴⁾| T: C Collins| OR: 92

22/1

Maiden showing little in four hurdle starts and pulled up when fancied (13/2) at Wexford 27 days ago. Wears first-time tongue strap.

Form: 5100-5P

Tango Theatre^t,v⁴⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-4| J: Alex Harvey| T: J C McConnell| OR: 88

4/1

Has shown improved form with two runner-up finishes, including second of 6 in handicap hurdle at Bangor-On-Dee (5/1) in a first-time visor 47 days ago, running on well. Remains winless after 25 starts but current form encouraging.

Form: 60/70-22

Guided By You²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Aidan Kelly| T: P Roche| OR: 92

10/1

Showed promise when fourth on hurdles debut at Tipperary in May. Sixth of 14 in maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan (14/1) 26 days ago, appearing to have been brought along with handicaps in mind. Makes handicap debut with significant step up in trip looking a potentially positive move.

Form: 466

Royal Diver⁸⁵⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 10-0| J: A M King⁽⁴⁾| T: V T O'Brien| OR: 77

100/1

Has shown no ability in five starts and finished last of 13 in hurdle at Ballinrobe (125/1) 859 days ago.

Form: 000P0/

Back The West^p1²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: Gavin Brouder| T: I Madden| OR: 72

22/1

Pulled up in last two hurdle starts before showing some ability when fourth of 16 in handicap hurdle at Ballinrobe (33/1) 29 days ago. Without a win in 19 races. First-time cheekpieces today.

Form: 800P/P-4

Forecasts

Tango Theatre (4/1), Sphagnum (11/2), Storm Mahler (11/2), Ballyglass Beauty (6/1), Pachmena (8/1), The Little Yank (8/1), Macgiloney (8/1), Guided By You (10/1), Themanintheboots (11/1), Captain P (22/1), Back The West (22/1), Royal Diver (100/1)

THEMANINTHEBOOTS took a step in the right direction when fifth at Roscommon 15 days ago and has slipped to an attractive mark following a year-long absence. He can return to winning ways at the expense of Ballyglass Beauty, who has promising course form with a 4th here 38 days ago. Veteran Macgiloney showed he retains ability when staying on for sixth at Galway.