18:52 Ballinrobe

Friday 8 May 2026

All16:4017:1517:5018:2218:5219:2219:5220:22

Burleigh Accountancy Group Handicap

Off time: 18:52 | Winning time: 2m 10.19s

(7)

Glen To Glen^v1³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: Hugh Horgan⁽⁵⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 84

5/1

Made the frame in Golden Gates Handicap at Royal Ascot on stable debut last summer. Hasn't kicked on in this sphere since (winner over hurdles in December), well held at the Curragh 5 weeks ago. On a handy mark if visor helps spark a revival.

Form: 34297-0

(2)

Expound^p,t¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: J M Sheridan| T: D Hogan| OR: 77| CD

11/2

Some promise at Dundalk on first 2 starts this year before running poorly at Limerick (1m) 13 days ago. However, 2 of his 3 wins on the Flat have come at this track, including this race last year, so he could bounce back.

Form: 626-540

(1)

Flying Fortress²¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Robert Whearty| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 75| CD

6/1

Made a winning start for current yard last season and doubled his tally in handicap at Listowel in September. Lesser effort at the Curragh to end the campaign, but he's capable when fresh as he returns from 7 months off.

Form: 932510-

(10)

Merlin The Wizard²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Julian Pietropaolo⁽⁷⁾| T: R P Cody| OR: 74

10/3

Twelve runs since last win in 2023 but from his easing mark he got back on track when runner-up at Dundalk (1m) in March. Confirmed return to form when fifth of 17 at Leopardstown 26 days ago, so he enters calculations.

Form: 570-025

(5)

Annie's Angel^p,t1⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Ronan Whelan| T: A McGuinness| OR: 72

16/1

Fairly useful form when runner-up 3 times in handicaps last season for Joseph Patrick O'Brien. However, well below that level over hurdles to start the year for current yard and ran poorly back on the Flat at the Curragh 6 weeks ago. Cheekpieces reapplied/tongue strap added.

Form: 24276-0

(6)

Hexagonal¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Chris Hayes| T: D Hogan| OR: 66

10/1

Made the frame twice in maidens last year and stepped forward from reappearance run when 3 lengths eighth of 17 in handicap at the Curragh (7f) 19 days ago, despite finding it a barely adequate test. Return to this trip should suit.

Form: 4350-78

(8)

Medieval Night¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Mel Sheridan⁽¹⁰⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 65

50/1

Best effort last season when second in 21-runner handicap at Leopardstown on reappearance. Making first start since leaving D. K. Weld, shaped as if needing the outing after 8 months off when well held at Limerick 13 days ago. This run should reveal more.

Form: 67/208-0

(9)

La Tulipe Noire^p⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Jessica O'Gorman⁽⁷⁾| T: Aengus King| OR: 63

7/1

Recorded back-to-back wins during the autumn and returned to form when fifth of 14 at Limerick (1m) last month. Raced closer to the pace than ideal when mid-field at the Curragh (7f) 4 days ago, so she could fare better back up in trip.

Form: 33-0958

(3)

Lough Leane^t³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: Megan Telford-Kelly⁽⁷⁾| T: Maurice Ahern| OR: 62

9/2

Without a win last year but ran well when second in big-field handicap at the Curragh on return. Soon left behind a lesser effort when fourth of 13 at Gowran last month and he's well treated based on old form.

Form: 007-274

Non-Runners

(4)

Loingseoir¹³

Weight: 9-5| Age: 10

T: M C Grassick J: Billy Lee

Forecasts

Merlin The Wizard (10/3), Lough Leane (9/2), Glen To Glen (5/1), Expound (11/2), Flying Fortress (6/1), La Tulipe Noire (7/1), Hexagonal (10/1), Loingseoir (10/1), Annie's Angel (16/1), Medieval Night (50/1)

EXPOUND is now only 1 lb higher in the weights than for his success in this race last year and, having shown encouragement on his first 2 starts this season, he is taken to bounce back to winning ways. Lough Leane got back on track last time and is dangerous from his current mark, with Merlin The Wizard completing the shortlist.