Race Conditions + Pace Angles + Draw Angles:
This is a 2m4f (2m4f107y) handicap hurdle for horses aged 4+, on good ground. The pace is expected to be even to strong, with Ollie La Ba Ba, Ballykinlar, and Boston Jury all likely to go forward. Moonovercloon and Tomas O Maille can race handily, but several others—Sign From Above, Golden Temple, and Spring Meadow—tend to be held up, creating some “hold-up risk” in what may be a tactically contested finish. No draw bias applies over hurdles here.
Strongest Contenders + Main Dangers + Interesting Outsiders + Trends/Timeform Comments:
Strongest Contenders:
- Ballykinlar – Progressive, 2-2 over hurdles since fitted with headgear and stepped up in trip. He won easily last time (RPR 125) and seems to be improving fast. Ground and trip are ideal; front-running style suits the predicted race shape. Major claims.
- Moonovercloon – Proven and very consistent over hurdles. Back over timber after mixed chasing efforts and now 1lb below last winning hurdle mark. Two standout efforts last year at Galway make him interesting on return to this discipline.
- Tomas O Maille – Proven, if limited; stays well and ran to a new PB RPR of 125 last time. Consistent at this track, and from a yard that places him well. Front rank expected again.
Main Dangers:
- Grange Walk – Proven over fences, hurdles mark is 20lb lower. Finished second over C&D two weeks ago behind a thriving rival. Jockey’s 7lb claim helps. Still potentially well treated on old form.
- Golden Temple – Promising, with a lightly raced profile over hurdles and two big-field hurdle wins last year. Hasn’t shown much lately but this is a return to best trip and surface, and Noel Meade’s quote indicates he’s well regarded for these staying summer events.
- Boston Jury – Promising, strong third on handicap debut over longer trip but disappointed since. Down in trip, with first-time cheekpieces a possibility. Still unexposed and open to a rebound.
Interesting Outsiders:
- Spring Meadow – Hard to catch right, but has posted strong RPRs and finished third in a warm contest last time. Trip and ground suit. Late player if in the mood.
- Sign From Above – Lightly raced over hurdles, has ability (RPR 132) but has disappointed. Flat fitness is there, but needs to show he truly stays this trip.
- Moulane West – Exposed, but bounced back with a fair fifth here last time and won easily two starts ago. Could go well if allowed an uncontested lead.
Hold-up Risk Horses: Sign From Above, Spring Meadow, Golden Temple – all may need luck in running and pace to collapse.
Runner Scores and Suitability Analysis:
- Ballykinlar: 9/10 – Strong tactical fit, trip/ground ideal, clearly progressive.
- Moonovercloon: 8/10 – Proven and returns to hurdles off a workable mark.
- Tomas O Maille: 7/10 – Suits trip/course; exposed but reliable.
- Grange Walk: 7/10 – Slipping in weights over hurdles, claims if repeating recent second.
- Golden Temple: 7/10 – Needs bounce back, but has upside at the trip.
- Boston Jury: 6/10 – Could rebound; strong on earlier handicap debut.
- Spring Meadow: 6/10 – Inconsistent but not without a squeak.
- Sign From Above: 6/10 – Not one to trust, but figures are promising.
- Ollie La Ba Ba: 5/10 – Stays, but doubts over finishing effort.
- Jerandme: 4/10 – Very exposed and possibly past best.
- Moulane West: 4/10 – Better on softer ground and against weaker.
Keep an eye on the market for support or big drifts for runners returning from layoffs of 90+ days.
Watch out for in-form hurdlers returning quickly; they can be hot.
Each-Way Angles (11 Runners):
- Grange Walk – Good recent C&D second, better over fences but dangerously treated here.
- Spring Meadow – Runs well fresh, solid recent third over similar trip.
Private Tissue Estimate:
- Ballykinlar – 3/1
- Moonovercloon – 11/2
- Grange Walk – 13/2
- Tomas O Maille – 7/1
- Golden Temple – 8/1
- Spring Meadow – 10/1
- Boston Jury – 12/1
- Sign From Above – 12/1
- Ollie La Ba Ba – 20/1
- Jerandme – 25/1
- Moulane West – 33/1
Market watch advised for runners making their 2nd start.
Summary + Professional Punter View
This is a solid summer handicap hurdle with a mix of exposed yardsticks and lightly raced improvers. The pace looks strong, favouring stamina and positioning.
Smart Play:
- Win Selection: Ballykinlar – improving quickly, suited by conditions, and his last win was value for more.
- Each-Way Saver: Grange Walk – back over hurdles off a low mark, recent second was no fluke.
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