Sligo 5.30 Race Preview

This is a handicap hurdle run over a testing 3 miles 1 ½ furlongs, designed for horses rated 100 or lower. Stamina will be paramount, especially if the ground remains on the easy side. Several course specialists line up, which adds intrigue.

Main Selection: CORNMARKET (11-0)

• Trainer: John J Cullen
• Jockey: Alan King (7)
• Form: …0P-1144

Cornmarket looks like the one to beat here. He’s a dual course winner, having landed back-to-back handicaps over 2m 4f here in May and July. He clearly loves Sligo. Since then, he’s run respectably, including a solid fourth on his chasing debut last time out, which should have sharpened him up. He’s back over hurdles now, reunited with the 7lb claimer Alan King who steered him to both his Sligo victories, and looks poised for a big run back at his favourite track. 👍

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Main Dangers

TANGO THEATRE (11-3)

• Trainer: John C McConnell
• Jockey: Dylan Kidd (7)
• Form: …70-2217

This mare absolutely bolted up over course and distance two starts back in August, making all the running to win by 15 lengths off a mark of 88. She was disappointing over fences last time at Downpatrick, but returning to hurdles at the scene of her dominant win makes her a huge player. Taking her jockey’s 7lb claim into account, she’s effectively only 2lbs higher than for that victory. She must be feared. ✅

SLIM MARVEL (11-6)

• Trainer: Andrew Slattery
• Jockey: Cian Quirke
• Form: …555-643F

A consistent mare who ran well two starts back when finishing third over a similar trip (3m 1f) at Kilbeggan. She unfortunately fell last time out at Listowel when still in touch. If that hasn’t dented her confidence, she has the proven stamina and ability to get involved off her current mark of 100. 🤔

ILBDARE (11-2)

• Trainer: Mark Michael McNiff
• Jockey: Phillip Enright
• Form: …763-178

Won over course and distance back in May, beating Arrycan (who reopposes today). He hasn’t reproduced that form in two subsequent runs, finishing well beaten both times. However, the return to Sligo could spark a revival, and he remains relatively lightly raced compared to some rivals. 🧐

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Best of the Rest

• ARRYCAN (11-0): Second to Ilbdare over C&D in May. Ran well when second over fences two starts back but was very poor last time. Hard to predict but capable on his day.
• THE LITTLE YANK (11-2): An absolute veteran (94 career runs!) who often runs his race. He was third last time out and has won twice at Sligo previously. Stamina is assured, and he could sneak into a place.

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Verdict

This looks like a good opportunity for course specialist CORNMARKET to get back to winning ways. He loves Sligo, is race-fit, and the return to hurdles with his regular 7lb claimer looks ideal. Tango Theatre was incredibly impressive when winning over C&D two starts ago and looks the biggest threat if reproducing that effort. Slim Marvel is consistent enough to challenge for a place if none the worse for her recent fall.

1-2-3 Prediction:

1. Cornmarket
2. Tango Theatre
3. Slim Marvel