17:35 Ballinrobe

Monday 25 May 2026

All16:3017:0517:3518:0518:3519:0519:35

McHale Mayo Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:36 | Winning time: 5m 32.30s

Winning Smut^p1,t¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Josh Williamson⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 130| C| D

13/2

Probably remains a shade high in the weights following success in a listed handicap hurdle at Galway last summer, though does at least benefit from the return of a good-value claimer, with first-time cheekpieces to boot.

Form: 512188/

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Grann's Boy^p²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H Rogers| OR: 129

9/1

Successful twice over hurdles last year, he didn't fully confirm his stamina for the longer trip when tenth of 24 at Punchestown and probably needs a bit more respite from the handicapper, regardless.

Form: 101260/

Fiveonefive⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Ben Harvey| T: C Collins| OR: 125

25/1

Tends to save his best for Cartmel (3-time winner of valuable June handicap there) and he may well be being campaigned with that race in mind again (not given a hard time when ninth in this corresponding event 12 months ago).

Form: P65P00-

Maverick Mack⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: James Smith⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 122

50/1

Came on plenty for his sole outing in bumpers when winning a maiden hurdle at Gowran last November. Opening mark looks on the high side, though, and he didn't get very far before unseating on handicap debut at Fairyhouse (28/1) early last month.

Form: 2813U/

Sign From Above^p²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Sam Ewing| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 121

8/1

Took a step back in the right direction when eighth of 24 in useful handicap at Punchestown and has each-way claims if building on that.

Form: 0051P8/

Collaborative^v1³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Phillip Enright| T: O McKiernan| OR: 120| BF

15/2

Consistent and versatile sort who again gave his running when third in first-time blinkers at Limerick (21f) on his latest start. Tried in a visor this time, and is weighted to make another bold bid, for all there's no guarantee he'll be as effective on this ground (raced only on soft/heavy).

Form: 302243/

Jacovec Cavern^p²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Richard Condon⁽⁵⁾| T: P Hennessy| OR: 120

7/1

Took advantage of a career-low mark when decisively landing a first hurdle success in a 24-runner handicap at Punchestown. Not certain to be in the same form this time but he still looks feasibly treated despite an 11 lb rise.

Form: 613001/

Thornleigh Frank^p1¹⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Danny Gilligan| T: C Collins| OR: 120| D

18/1

Has clearly had his problems since landing a quick-fire hat-trick in the Summer of 2023 for Mark Fahey but has fallen to a handy mark, with cheekpieces now added on just his third start for a capable new yard.

Form: 111969/

Toll Stone²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Donagh Meyler| T: E Mullins| OR: 119

5/1

Narrowly beaten at the Galway Festival last summer and shaped with plenty of encouragement when (16/1) third in a 24-runner handicap on return at Punchestown last month. Makes plenty of appeal off an unchanged mark, especially if supported.

Form: 387523/

Zoffman²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Conor Stone-Walsh| T: N Meade| OR: 118| BF

10/1

Useful 1½m winner on the Flat who hasn't got close to that level over hurdles, and while there shouldn't be a lack fitness following a couple of spins on the level, he'll need to improve for this markedly longer trip on return to hurdling.

Form: 21484/

Billy Lee Swagger^b²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Tiernan Power Roche| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 117

14/1

Ran well when seventh of 24 on hurdles return at Punchestown last time, just unable to sustain a big move into contention in first-time blinkers, though he may be best under more testing conditions.

Form: 61P0P7/

Make Good^p,t²¹²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-13| J: Kevin Healy⁽⁷⁾| T: C Collins| OR: 117

33/1

Veteran hadn't been seen over hurdles for the best part of 2 years when ninth of 15 at Galway on final start for Joseph Anthony Murray last October. Handicapper has given him a chance, however, and worth a look in the betting on stable debut.

Form: 211859/

Burru¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Calum Hogan⁽⁵⁾| T: Bernard Crowley| OR: 110

7/1

On first start since rejoining his current yard, he justified support when making all under this excellent claimer at Killarney (2½m), though will likely face competition for the lead in a better race here.

Form: 3638P/1

Tullyveery Lad²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: Daniel King| T: R P Cody| OR: 110| D

40/1

Has been competitive off this sort of mark over hurdles but has disappointed in a pair of handicap chases since returning from a 6-month absence, latterly when retired in cheekpieces at Down Royal.

Form: 42138/5

Lady Bluebird^b¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Shane O'Callaghan⁽⁵⁾| T: H P Finegan| OR: 106

9/1

Capitalised on a falling mark in first-time blinkers at Tramore and was again ridden extremely positively when only finding an improving sort too good in her follow-up bid at Cork on latest start. Clearly in fine heart for this step up in grade.

Form: 00751/2

Digby^t,v1¹⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 10-2| J: Alix Balfe⁽⁷⁾| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 106| C

20/1

Again below his best when well held at Kilbeggan last time. Now tried in a new headgear combination and is 9 lb lower than when winning this race last year. Could be interesting if getting a run. RESERVE.

Form: 60P0/67

Non-Runners

Jabbar¹⁰

Weight: 11-11| Age: 7

T: Gerard O'Leary J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Toll Stone (5/1), Winning Smut (13/2), Jacovec Cavern (7/1), Burru (7/1), Collaborative (15/2), Sign From Above (8/1), Lady Bluebird (9/1), Grann's Boy (9/1), Zoffman (10/1), Billy Lee Swagger (14/1), Jabbar (16/1), Thornleigh Frank (18/1), Digby (20/1), Fiveonefive (25/1), Make Good (33/1), Tullyveery Lad (40/1), Maverick Mack (50/1)

COLLABORATIVE arrives in excellent heart and looks capable of landing a third career success if handling the ground. Toll Stone is weighted to go well on the back of a promising reappearance, with Jacovec Cavern another to consider following his decisive victory at Punchestown.