8.20 Roscommon – Campbell’s Bar Ballinlough Handicap (1m4f46y, 4yo+, €11,500, GOOD)

·

Pace Angles: This looks like an evenly run race. No habitual trailblazers, but a few can press the pace (e.g., Out On Friday, Kool One, Celtic Druid), suggesting a fair tempo. That should give all running styles a chance.

Draw Angles: Over this 12.5f trip at Roscommon, low-to-mid draws are slightly favoured due to the short run to the first turn. Horses drawn high (e.g., Ms Messi, Si Senior, Pillar Of Hope) may need early positioning luck.


Strongest Contenders, Main Dangers & Interesting Outsiders

Pillar Of Hope – Proven (8/10):
Racing off a mark of 72, he’s the class angle. Strong finishing effort in a big-field Galway handicap last time, previously won convincingly over 12f at the Curragh. Well-treated, and the 7lb claimer is value. Has the stamina and handles the ground. Draw (10) isn’t ideal, but he’s a proven stayer with an improving profile at this trip.

Beauty Generation – Interesting Outsider (7/10):
One poor turf run too many to ignore, but all-weather wins show ability. Now back to a more realistic mark and wasn’t knocked about last time. Yard is red hot (2-7 last 14 days). Proven at trip on AW; not yet shown same turf form, but wouldn’t rule him out at a price.

Ms Messi – Progressive (7/10):
Big step forward winning over this trip at Tipperary. Off a career-low mark there and now up 6lb, but she stayed on well and the style of the win suggests more to come. Draw 13 is a negative, but she’s unexposed at the trip and worth respecting.

Breathe Again – Progressive (7/10):
Stuck in steadily-run contests but ran well latest at Ffos Las. Could be sharper for that British raid and remains on a mark she can be competitive from. Trainer rarely travels horses without a reason.

Out On Friday – Proven but Regressive (6/10):
Hard to trust now, but he’s dropped to a winning mark and is a past course winner. Bit of a “last chance saloon” type but no surprise if he makes the frame with a clean run.

Celtic Druid – Promising Handicap Type (6/10):
Bolted up at Bellewstown and still lightly raced for a handicapper. Hit hard by the handicapper (+12lb) and didn’t back it up next time, but this surface/trip suits.


Runner Scores and Suitability Analysis

  • Pillar Of Hope: 8/10 – Trip/ground/course fine; thriving at this distance.
  • Ms Messi: 7/10 – Unexposed at trip; concern over wide draw.
  • Beauty Generation: 7/10 – Capable but inconsistent on turf.
  • Breathe Again: 7/10 – Could improve back in Irish conditions.
  • Out On Friday: 6/10 – Suited by trip/course; regressive form.
  • Celtic Druid: 6/10 – Unexposed handicapper; now needs more off higher mark.
  • Kool One: 5/10 – Fair Flat/hurdles form; no clear upside from current mark.
  • Gotta Catch’em All: 5/10 – Consistent, lacks finishing kick.
  • Si Senior: 4/10 – Better in defeat than her mark implies; draw concern.
  • Mayo For Sam: 3/10 – Lacks the raw pace/form to land a blow.
  • Milverton: 3/10 – Minimal turf form, few positives lately.
  • Tomahawk King: 2/10 – Fading form, wide draw, unreliable.
  • Numidia: 4/10 – Turf returner, needs strong pace to be involved.
  • Art Of Silence: 3/10 – Limited Flat form; mainly hurdler.

Keep an eye on the market for support or big drifts for runners returning from layoffs of 90+ days.
Watch out for in-form sprinters returning quickly; they can be hot.


Each-Way Angles (13 runners)

  • Beauty Generation – Might sneak into the frame if handling the turf; current mark gives him a squeak.
  • Breathe Again – Potential improver; the quicker ground could unlock more.

Private Tissue Estimate (Fair Odds)

  • Pillar Of Hope – 7/2
  • Ms Messi – 11/2
  • Beauty Generation – 8/1
  • Breathe Again – 9/1
  • Celtic Druid – 10/1
  • Out On Friday – 12/1
  • Kool One – 14/1
  • Gotta Catch’em All – 14/1
  • Si Senior – 16/1
  • Numidia – 20/1
  • Milverton – 25/1
  • Tomahawk King – 33/1
  • Art Of Silence – 33/1
  • Mayo For Sam – 33/1

Market watch advised for runners making their 2nd start.


Summary + Smart Play

This is a competitive staying handicap with multiple exposed types but also a few progressive profiles. The pace should be fair and not compromise hold-up runners too much, but wide draws could have an impact.


Smart Play

  • Win Selection: Pillar Of Hope – a solid, improving stayer with a strong win at the trip; leading form horse.
  • Each-Way Saver: Beauty Generation – low turf rating but capable if recapturing AW form; fair mark and stable in form.

Leave a comment

Get updates

From art exploration to the latest archeological findings, all here in our weekly newsletter.

Subscribe