Danny Gilligan has a good book of rides for Gordon Elliott at Ballinrobe this evening and may be able to strike in the big race, the McHale Mayo National, on Tullybeg (below).
The Sholokhov gelding looks to have conditions to suit in the €80,000 contest where nice ground and a trip will play to his strengths.
He was returning from an absence when finishing a fair enough fifth at Punchestown late last month and it’s no surprise to see him having a summer campaign.
All his wins have come on decent enough ground and he also won over this three-mile trip twice over timber.
Having eased a couple of pounds since his last run and with Gilligan taking 7lb off his back he could be nicely treated in tonight’s highlight.
The weights are headed by the admirable Peregrine Run and Peter Fahey uses Rob James’ 7lb to ease his burden.
Obviously he’s not getting any younger at 13 years of age and looks vulnerable to a well handicapped rival.
Sole Pretender is a bit of a course specialist, with four wins here, but just doesn’t have great scope for jumping fences and this trip is an unknown.
Down towards the bottom of the weights, the strong stayer History Of Fashion has to be given a chance after a couple of good placed efforts over staying trips.
Gilligan’s claim can also come in useful on Fils d’Oudairies in the opening conditions hurdle.
He is top-rated in the two-mile-two contest and this looks a nice opportunity for the eight-year-old.
Elliott also looks to have a big shout with An Mhi in the two-mile-six maiden hurdle.
The Walk In The Park gelding had some solid runs over the winter campaign and should be up to winning a race of this standard now.
He was last seen finishing ninth in a strong handicap won by Gaelic Warrior at the Dublin Racing Festival and has a decent mark of 122. If he runs near that he should prove hard to beat.
Probably the most interesting horse on the card is a Willie Mullins-trained newcomer in the bumper.
All eyes will be on Mystical Power, the first produce of the great Annie Power to hit the racecourse. The Galileo gelding is sure to be well prepared for his debut in what doesn’t look a particularly strong contest.
There won’t be a better-bred horse running in a bumper this year and it would be a disappointing start if he couldn’t collect.
SELECTIONS
4.30 Fils d’Oudairies
5.00 An Mhi (Dbl)
5.30 Troubled Times
6.00 Ballyadam
6.30 Tullybeg (Nap)
7.00 Charlie Stout
7.30 Mystical Power
