19:48 Sligo

Wednesday 19 August 2026

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

Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle

4YO plus | 3m 1f 168y | 12 Runners | Turf

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Calum Hogan⁽²⁾| T: A L T Moore| OR: 109

Dual winner for Gordon Elliott back in 2023 who posted best effort for present yard when second over fences at Downpatrick (19.5f) in June. Not disgraced when sixth back over hurdles there (2¾m, good) 5 weeks ago and the return to this longer trip looks very much in his favour.

Form: P/04-826

Luck Between Us³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Niall Moore⁽²⁾| T: D Duggan| OR: 108

13/2

Placed in a couple of maiden hurdles and made second start in handicaps a winning one at Killarney (2½m, good to soft) 34 days ago, overcoming a wide trip and driven clear. Task now is to back that up.

Form: 83607-1

Dorans Law^p,t⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Kevin Healy⁽⁴⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 105| D

10/1

Posted one of his better recent efforts when second over fences at Wexford (24.7f) in July but shaped as if needing the emphasis more on stamina when fifth of 7 back over hurdles at Ballinrobe (3¼m, good) 9 days ago. Still, not discounted in an open-looking affair.

Form: P-65725

Cornmarket^b1¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Alan King⁽⁴⁾| T: John Cullen| OR: 104| C

9/1

Won 3 times here last season, including over C&D and took form up another notch when head second back here last month. Possibly not ideally served by dropping back in trip on 2 subsequent runs and better showing certainly not ruled out with blinkers now reached for.

Form: 1F8-205

Keep Em Quite⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Eoghan Finegan⁽²⁾| T: C Collins| OR: 103| BF

7/2

Jet Away gelding who was placed in a point and improved under Rules of late, posting a good second of 14 in maiden hurdle at Ballinrobe (22.5f) 9 days ago. Return to further will hold no fears back in a handicap and he's another in with a shout.

Form: 3505-52

Ilbdare^t⁷¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Thomas O'Connor⁽⁴⁾| T: M M McNiff| OR: 102| CD

13/2

Both career victories have come over C&D, showing benefit of his reappearance when landing 16-runner handicap in June. Record at this track clearly a big plus so possibilities from 5 lb higher.

Form: 7829-01

Mr Dibbs^b¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Eoin Staples⁽²⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 102| CD

9/1

Posted career best, in first-time blinkers, when winning 12-runner C&D handicap in May. Couldn't replicate that starting out for new yard at Roscommon 2 weeks ago but feasible to think he may sharpen up for that run.

Form: P60P-18

Sallap^t¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Michael Kenneally| T: S Curling| OR: 100

7/1

6-y-o mare who showed further improvement when registering a third career success at Limerick (22.5f) in July. Did best of those held up when fifth from career-high mark at Galway (3m) since and she could yet have more to offer now stamina is tested further. Tongue strap back on.

Form: 1F-0115

Tango Theatre^t,v¹²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-11| J: Shane Fitzsimons⁽⁴⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 94| CD

16/1

Veteran mare who was a dominant winner of this race from the front 12 months ago and almost pulled off similar tactics when second on her most recent outing at Wexford (3m) 12 days ago. Danger to all if poaching a lead once more.

Form: 177-582

Hey Babbs^t¹²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Patrick M O'Brien| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 93

12/1

Bounced back to her best when third of 15 in 3m handicap hurdle at Bellewstown (good to soft, 15/2) in April. Nudged up 1 lb on the back of that but claims if backing that up over longest trip she's faced.

Form: PP5P03-

The Little Yank^b¹¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-9| J: John Aherne⁽⁴⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 92| C

14/1

Veteran who ended a losing run at Clonmel in January. Lost way thereafter (pulled up next 4 starts) but he resumed from a 3-month break with a good third of 15 in handicap hurdle at Kilbeggan (25f, good) and backed it up when filling the same place over fences back there 11 days ago.

Form: PPPP-33

Strong Contender¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Conor Smithers⁽⁴⁾| T: N Lee| OR: 88

7/2

Well beaten on completed starts in maiden hurdles but readily surpassed opening pair of exploits in handicaps when a dominant winner at Wexford (3m) 12 days ago, going right away late on when defeating Tango Theatre by 9½ lengths. Looks capable of better again now stamina is tested further.

Form: F0-0781

Forecasts

Strong Contender (9/4), Luck Between Us (6/1), Ilbdare (6/1), Tango Theatre (8/1), Hey Babbs (8/1), Sallap (10/1), Keep Em Quite (10/1), Ringdufferin (12/1), Dorans Law (12/1), Mr Dibbs (14/1), Cornmarket (14/1), The Little Yank (20/1)

Loads with chances but STRONG CONTENDER was dominant when shedding the maiden tag in clear-cut style at Wexford 12 days ago, going right away in the closing stages in the style of one capable of better again. She earns preference over Sallap and Hey Babbs. Cornmarket and Ilbdare both go well here and can also feature in a competitive heat.