19:18 Sligo

Wednesday 19 August 2026

All17:0717:4218:1718:4819:1819:4820:18

Francie 'Banger' Burns Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 19:19 | Winning time: 5m 3.70s

In The Minus¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: Shane Fitzgerald| T: B Cawley| OR: 115| CD

7/1

Bounced back to form from out of the blue upped in trip when winning 8-runner handicap hurdle at this course (21f, good) just under a fortnight ago, cruising clear after taking over on the run-in. Needs to prove that wasn't a flash in the pan from 8 lb higher.

Form: 155-501

Drombane^t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 108

10/1

Made the frame first 3 starts over hurdles but proved to be a disappointment switched to a handicap at Galway (17f, good to soft) just over 3 weeks ago, reverting to his free-going ways despite being kept to 2m. Back up in trip and better anticipated.

Form: 5024-20

Harpy Eagle¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Paddy Cody⁽⁷⁾| T: R P Cody| OR: 105| D

10/3

Has got better with each run back, coming good this time with a strong pace appearing to bring out the best in him in 6-runner handicap hurdle at Wexford (2½m, good) 11 days ago. 5 lb higher mark far from insurmountable so every chance he will follow up.

Form: 540-661

Tangara Bay²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Ewing| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 104

28/1

Built on previous promise in this sphere when winning 12-runner novice at Clonmel (2¼m, heavy) in March. Switched yards and shaped as if better for the run after 4 months off on her handicap debut at Galway 3 weeks ago. This should reveal more.

Form: 24/451-0

Bossy Bird^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Sexton⁽⁷⁾| T: T Gibney| OR: 103

5/1

Lightly-raced sort who shaped as if still in decent heart over a trip probably shorter than ideal when fifth of 20 in handicap hurdle (18/1) at Galway (2m, good to soft) 3 weeks ago. Step back up in distance sure to suit so not out of things from the same mark.

Form: 0/88-425

Crystabel¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Daniel King| T: J P Ryan| OR: 102| C

22/1

Won handicap here in July but below that level back in novice company the last twice. 7 lb higher than on her previous handicap start and could well get back on track.

Form: 336135

Coolboy Christy^p¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Conor Clarke⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 96

14/1

Modest maiden hurdler who ran up to best returned to this sphere in first-time cheekpieces when fifth of 14 at Wexford last month. Not so good in a change of headgear at Galway since, however, and the cheekpieces are reapplied here. Each-way claims back up in trip.

Form: 5-48450

Midnight Eagle¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: A McNamara| OR: 96

4/1

Came as close as she has to doubling her tally when smooth-travelling second at Killarney (17f) last time. Ran to a similar level when third from a less-than-ideal position at Cork (17f, good) earlier in the month and can feature again back up in distance.

Form: 00-3023

Ladiam^t⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: Gary Noonan| T: N Lee| OR: 92| BF| CD

7/1

C&D winner last summer and arrives in good form, fourth of 7 in handicap hurdle at Ballinrobe (3¼m, good) most recently 9 days ago. Folly to discount back down in trip.

Form: 37-5534

Dream Shaper^t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Joshua Halford⁽⁷⁾| T: I Madden| OR: 91

8/1

Allowed to establish a huge lead when finally getting off the mark in 16-runner handicap at Kilbeggan last month. Struggled in the face of a completely different task at Galway (17f, good to soft) last time and heads back up in distance.

Form: 0F9-318

Non-Runners

In For The Night²⁶

Weight: 11-12| Age: 8

T: C O'Dwyer J: Charlie O'Dwyer

Forecasts

Harpy Eagle (10/3), Midnight Eagle (4/1), In For The Night (4/1), Bossy Bird (5/1), In The Minus (7/1), Ladiam (7/1), Dream Shaper (8/1), Drombane (10/1), Coolboy Christy (14/1), Crystabel (22/1), Tangara Bay (28/1)

Cases can be made for most of these, but the vote goes to HARPY EAGLE, who was suited by a strong pace when opening his account at Wexford 11 days ago and he could well kick on now up and running. In The Minus caused a shock when scoring here earlier in the month so he rates as the main danger if able to back that up, with In For The Night and Coolboy Christy taken to fight out minor honours.