Ballinrobe – Tuesday 31st May

It was close but not quite yesterday at Ballinrobe as I thought turning into the straight that Blanketontheground was going to take a lot of beating in the mares handicap. She unfortunately faded late on to only fill out the places, but it was a good, genuine effort and hopefully we can go a few spots better in today’s viewing. It is going to be a winning month for the month of May thank goodness, and today’s action will decide by how much. 

The 4.35 race is the first race on the card and this 2m2f rated hurdle looks a tricky one for just a five runner race. There are certainly three in with genuine chances, so it might be difficult to pick apart. However, I am going to give Supreme Jet one more chance, with Jack Foley’s claim a massive influence. He is a good horse and he showed that when dominating a maiden hurdle from the front at Punchestown earlier this year before two slightly disappointing efforts in recent races. He might not encounter the same competition for the lead that he has had to on the last few starts and the slight step up in trip might be a help to him as well. This track should play to his strengths and I would be disappointed for him not to run very well. At a general price of 9/4, I think he is a fair bet. 

The 5.35 race is a good standard staying handicap hurdle and it sees recent Bet365 Gold Cup winner, Hewick, return over hurdles with a very feasible mark in comparison to what he has achieved over fences. However, it will be of no surprise to many to see me siding with one of my favorites, Enniskerry, in this race, who will definitely be suited by this ground and based off his previous efforts, should also be suited by a step up in trip. He had a very progressive summer last year on this type of ground and I don’t think he has finished improving off a mark of 133, despite his effort at Fairyhouse last time out. With plenty in his favor today, and with his trainer having banged in a very impressive bumper winner last weekend, he should go well. At a price of 5/1 with SkyBet, who are offering 5 places, he should be backed each way. 

The 6.35 race is the feature race on the card and of the season at Ballinrobe as it is the 2m7f Mayo National and has attracted a good field of 15 to the post for this staying affair. I am happy to throw two bullets into the mix on this occasion, and I will be siding with my long term fancy for last year’s Irish National, and that was Max Flamingo – who has been running with great credit and remains feasibly handicapped in my eyes despite being off top weight in this race. He won a good standard novice chase last month at Killarney, to continue what has been a good time of things of late, and he will be more at home going right handed. At a price of 5/1 with Bet365, who are offering 5 places in the race, I would be surprised to see this horse not go very close. 

However, it wouldn’t be right to repay the faith in a good stick for these races and for that reason, The Dabbler must come into the equation based on his good handicap form and his potent record around this course and distance. He won a beginners’ chase over this C&D Last year, in a race that worked out very well as Wa Wa was a close second that day. He has been competing with great credit in handicaps since then and was second at the Punchestown Festival last time out over the extended 3m7f trip. He drops back down in trip today, which I don’t think will be a major inconvenience, and I am very hopeful of a good run. At a price of 10/1 with Bet365, who are offering 5 places, he should be backed each way also.