16:35 Sligo

Sunday 12 July 2026

All13:1013:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:10

Sligo Park Hotel Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:35 | Winning time: 6m 11.40s

Kalanisi Flash^p,t⁷⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Patrick M O'Brien⁽⁵⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 112

66/1

Showed aptitude for chasing (dual winning pointer) returning from 16 months off at Downpatrick last August but pulled up on both subsequent starts, most recently back hurdling at Punchestown in April. Back up in trip but best watched.

Form: 241/3PP-

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Golden Temple^b,t⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Sam Ewing| T: N Meade| OR: 109

28/1

Fairly useful winner at 2m on Flat and up to 21f over hurdles but offered no more than on his qualifying runs on his first start in a handicap over fences at Limerick in May. Reverts to hurdling and yet to prove he stays this far.

Form: 09969-6

Streets Of Doyen^p,t³⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 11-7| J: Conor Smithers⁽⁷⁾| T: M Brassil| OR: 105

16/1

Veteran who failed to complete on his last 3 starts for John McConnell in 2024 and given a considerate reappearance for new connections after 19 months off at Punchestown 5 weeks ago. Cheekpieces back on and this should reveal more.

Form: PU/45P-9

Cornmarket⁷⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Alan King⁽⁷⁾| T: John Cullen| OR: 102| C

12/1

Has an excellent track record, scoring 3 times last year. Went with no encouragement having his first Flat start since 2023 at this course (1¾m, good to soft) 10 weeks ago but may well revive for a return to hurdling.

Form: 1441F8-

Evans Secret^t⁶¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: M M McNiff| OR: 100| CD

5/1

Won this race last year and ran a cracker on return when second of 12 at this course (3¼m, good to soft) a couple of months ago, just failing having been hampered after 3 out. Nudged up 2 lb but looks the pick of the McNiff trio judged on jockey bookings. Leading claims.

Form: 56/301-2

Justatan^t1¹⁶⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Donagh Meyler| T: E Mullins| OR: 100

9/1

Successful both starts in points. Looked in need of further in 2m maiden hurdles last winter before finishing well held on handicap bow at Naas (19f, heavy) in January. Should have more to offer over markedly longer distance given his pedigree/connections. Tongue tie applied.

Form: 1/55309-

Sphagnum^b³³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr J P Sampson⁽⁷⁾| T: J P Broderick| OR: 100| C| D

15/2

Course winner who is a far better chaser than hurdler but was sparked back to life by first-time blinkers when second of 16 at this course (3¼m, soft) last month, possibly going for home just a bit too soon. Nudged up 2 lb for that effort and can feature again.

Form: F/8080-2

Smallcraftwarning¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Daniel King| T: J P Ryan| OR: 96

11/2

Enjoyed a fruitful 2025/26 campaign and wasted no time getting back on track when second of 18 at Limerick (23f, good) 10 days ago, albeit no match for winner. 3 lb higher here but every chance he'll be involved.

Form: 4P-8382

Je Suis^p³³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Phillip Enright| T: S Curling| OR: 95

7/1

Maiden who stepped up markedly on her reappearance run with headgear back on when third of 16 at this course (3¼m, soft) last month. Needs to prove that wasn't a false dawn.

Form: 9966-P3

Kazbek^b¹⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Danny Gilligan| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 95

20/1

Ran well when fourth of 16 in handicap hurdle at Punchestown (19.3f, heavy) in January but made a discouraging chasing debut at Down Royal (21f, heavy) 8 days later. Off since and no surprise to see him back over the smaller obstacles.

Form: 033P4P-

Tango Theatre^t,v²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-10| J: Shane Fitzsimons⁽⁷⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 94| CD

25/1

Dominant C&D winner last summer who posted her best effort since when 8 lengths fifth of 15 to Island McCoo at Kilbeggan on return from 8 months off last time. Entitled to come on from that here.

Form: 22177-5

Wild Mandate^b,t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Shane O'Callaghan⁽³⁾| T: M M McNiff| OR: 91

12/1

Maiden who wasn't disgraced from 1 lb out of the weights after 8 months off when fifth of 12 in handicap hurdle at Downpatrick (19f, good to firm) 4 weeks ago. Upped markedly in trip and she shouldn't be underestimated.

Form: 47920-5

Joe's Turn^t⁶⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: Thomas O'Connor⁽⁷⁾| T: M M McNiff| OR: 89

17/2

Kilbeggan scorer last April who shaped as if better for the outing after an 11-month break when eighth of 18 at Punchestown (3m, good to soft) a couple of months ago. Better can be expected now. 1 of 3 for this yard.

Form: 531/2F-8

Ballagh Star^p,t³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Josh Williamson⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs Y Dunleavy| OR: 82| CD

14/1

Dual winner over fences at this course and best excused recent Roscommon effort (all but came down 4 out). Returns to hurdling but last couple of efforts in this sphere uninspiring to say the least. 2 lb out of weights.

Form: 321P-0P

Le Grand Vert^p,t¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: Conor Stone-Walsh| T: N C Kelly| OR: 82

9/2

Scored at Ayr in February and posted as good an effort as he has since leaving France as a 6-y-o when landing 16-runner event at Punchestown last month. Ran another cracker when runner-up at Cartmel (25f) since and of interest if translating that back to hurdling. 2 lb out of weights.

Form: 14P-412

Non-Runners

Strong Contender²⁷

Weight: 10-0| Age: 5

T: N Lee J: Michael Kenneally

Back The West⁵²

Weight: 10-0| Age: 11

T: I Madden J: Reserve 1

Forecasts

Le Grand Vert (9/2), Evans Secret (5/1), Smallcraftwarning (11/2), Je Suis (7/1), Sphagnum (15/2), Joe's Turn (17/2), Justatan (9/1), Wild Mandate (12/1), Cornmarket (12/1), Ballagh Star (14/1), Streets Of Doyen (16/1), Kazbek (20/1), Tango Theatre (25/1), Strong Contender (25/1), Golden Temple (28/1), Back The West (66/1), Kalanisi Flash (66/1)

EVANS SECRET ran a cracker when runner-up on his recent return here in May and nudged up just 2 lb for that near miss, Mark McNiff's 7-y-o gets the nod to record back-to-back wins in this race. Smallcraftwarning signalled he was on his way back at Limerick 10 days ago, so he can give the selection most to think about, with Sphagnum and Le Grand Vert another couple to consider in a wide-open staying handicap hurdle.