5.38 Sligo – Aidan Moffitt Memorial Handicap Hurdle (0-100, 4yo+, 2m1f111y, Good)

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Pace Angles + Draw Angles

This is a low-grade handicap hurdle with several habitual midfield-to-held-up types. No clear front-runner, but Surviving Murmansk, Tea It Is and Tir Og have raced prominently and could ensure a steady-to-even pace. No draw implications at this track over hurdles.


Strongest Contenders + Main Dangers + Interesting Outsiders + Trends

Strongest Contenders

  • Nashville Notions – Promising (7/10): Got off the mark over C&D latest in a maiden hurdle and is open to further improvement now entering handicaps off 98. The race didn’t take much winning, but she travelled and picked up well. Lightly raced and proven at the track.
  • Saint Peregrine – Progressive (7/10): Two solid efforts at this venue before slightly over-faced in a beginners’ chase and pulled up latest. Back hurdling, on a fair mark, and goes well fresh. Worth forgiving recent dip.
  • Tea It Is – Exposed (6/10): Still a maiden over hurdles but consistent and placed in 3 of last 4. Running off a basement mark (75) and form at Sligo gives him a squeak. Likely to be thereabouts again.

Main Dangers

  • Tir Og – Progressive (6/10): Lightly raced 4yo filly who was still in control when falling two out two starts back. The subsequent effort was fair and she remains unexposed.
  • Shing Shilla – Promising (6/10): Improved notably last time with first-time hood. If that gear tweak continues to help, she’s a live one from a basement rating.

Interesting Outsiders

  • Surviving Murmansk – Exposed (5/10): Finally got his head in front at Tramore. Lightly raced at this venue, and off bottom weight with a capable 7lb claimer, could go well again if in similar mood.
  • Shannon Bank – Interesting (5/10): Cromwell-trained mare making handicap debut. Has some fair bumper form and hinted at promise in maiden hurdles. Yard is red-hot and significant that she’s not written off despite uninspiring figures.

Runner Scores and Suitability Analysis

  • Nashville Notions: 7/10 – C&D winner, lightly raced, scope off this opening mark.
  • Saint Peregrine: 7/10 – Fair Sligo form, back over hurdles, Danny Mullins booked.
  • Tea It Is: 6/10 – Consistent, but long-standing maiden.
  • Tir Og: 6/10 – Lightly raced 4yo with upside; unlucky faller previously.
  • Shing Shilla: 6/10 – Back on track with hood last time.
  • Surviving Murmansk: 5/10 – Confidence high after win; 7lb claimer retains ride.
  • Shannon Bank: 5/10 – Market check essential; possible improver now handicapping.
  • Bowgate Street: 4/10 – Out of form recently; needs revival.
  • Wild Mandate: 4/10 – Profile suggests limited upside despite good bumper form.
  • Annalough: 3/10 – Struggling to beat rivals; plenty to prove.
  • Lahinch Wave, Reforme (not in this field): N/A

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 – Each-way betting terms apply.

  • Shing Shilla and Surviving Murmansk appeal as viable each-way plays, the former improving with headgear, the latter with confidence high and well-treated.

Private Tissue Estimate

  • Nashville Notions – 4/1
  • Saint Peregrine – 5/1
  • Tea It Is – 6/1
  • Tir Og – 7/1
  • Shing Shilla – 8/1
  • Surviving Murmansk – 10/1
  • Shannon Bank – 10/1
  • Bowgate Street – 14/1
  • Wild Mandate – 16/1
  • Annalough – 25/1

Market watch advised for runners making their 2nd start.


Summary + Smart Play

This is a typical 0-100 handicap with exposed types and a handful of unexposed mares that bring freshness to the field. Nashville Notions appeals most with her C&D maiden win and fair opening mark. Saint Peregrine could bounce back under Danny Mullins, while Shing Shilla looks like she’s turning the corner.

Smart Play:

  • Win: Nashville Notions – Lightly raced mare, winning over C&D and open to improvement.
  • Each-Way Saver: Shing Shilla – Hood brought best out of her latest and she’s on a winning mark.

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