(2m6f28y, Good, 4yo+)

A competitive staying handicap hurdle around Ballinrobe, where course form and the ability to travel smoothly on this sharp, turning track are often important. Good ground should place greater emphasis on tactical pace, jumping fluency and track position rather than pure stamina. Ballinrobe can favour handy racers who hold position turning for home, while deeper hold-up types can encounter traffic problems in larger fields such as this 16-runner contest.

There is no draw in hurdle races, so pace and track positioning matter more than stall location. Proven course form is a major positive here.

Pace angles:

Lady Bluebird and Low Style generally race prominently and should help ensure an honest gallop.

Survivors Sister and Ladiam usually travel midfield before staying on.

Tomas O Maille and It’s Time Again are often ridden patiently and will need gaps at the right time.

Obey The Order is harder to assess tactically on handicap debut.


This looks the type of race where proven Ballinrobe effectiveness and efficient jumping could outweigh raw ratings. The race may also favour those suited by good ground rather than winter soft-ground specialists.

Strongest contenders

Jisco Du Brem – 8.5/10 (p) Still a maiden over hurdles but his profile is solid for this level. Shaped well over further at Wexford and his latest Cork fifth was better than the bare result after travelling respectably in a stronger race. The return to 2m6f on good ground looks a plus and his adjusted ratings put him firmly among the strongest in the field. Alan O’Sullivan’s claim is useful. Progressive profile and likely still improving physically. Strong contender if settling into rhythm early.

Empire Walk – 8/10 (p) One of the more progressive runners. His Cork third over 3m reads well in context and this slightly shorter trip could sharpen him up ideally. Good-ground form is important here and he shaped as though he retains upside in handicaps. The pace scenario should suit and his profile suggests there is more to come. Reliable recent form.

Low Style – 8/10 Represents a stable that won this race last year and arrives after an encouraging Punchestown effort over an inadequate trip. Staying handicaps on decent ground suit him well and he has repeatedly run to a consistent level in stronger races than this. Not especially progressive at nine, but dependable and tactically versatile.

Tomas O Maille – 8/10 Very interesting returning to his favourite venue. Course figures on goodish ground are excellent and he won this racecourse-and-distance contest last year off a higher mark. The recent Sligo run looked like a needed pipe-opener after a break. Ballinrobe specialists are always worth extra respect and he is weighted to go very close if building on that comeback effort. Strong track suitability.

Main dangers

Lady Bluebird – 7.5/10 Arrives in excellent form and the step back up in trip should suit. However, she is now operating from a career-high mark and may be vulnerable to less exposed rivals. Still respected given current wellbeing and prominent racing style.

Ladiam – 7.5/10 Likes good ground and stays this trip well. Often runs honestly in these staying handicaps and has gone well at Ballinrobe before. More exposed than some but conditions are ideal.

Obey The Order – 7.5/10 (P) Potentially the dark horse. Handicap debutants from Gordon Elliott always command respect, especially when they have shown bits of promise in maidens. His opening mark looks workable judged on his Gowran and Tipperary efforts. Long absence since a poor Thurles run is a slight concern, but the market should guide expectations strongly. Promising rather than proven.

Survivors Sister – 7/10 Capable on her day and arrives after a respectable Sligo third, but most of her best form has come with more testing ground. Could travel well before finding one or two better suited by conditions.

Interesting outsiders

It’s Time Again – 6.5/10 Three-time Ballinrobe winner who cannot be dismissed around this venue. Recent runs should have sharpened fitness and she is back to a dangerous mark. However, age and overall profile suggest younger improvers may have stronger finishing kicks.

Nothing Hectic – 6.5/10 Course-and-distance winner returning to preferred conditions. Handicap efforts have been disappointing so far, but this venue may revive her. One for bigger-place calculations if the market speaks positively.

My Cullen – 5.5/10 Cheekpieces applied and Danny Mullins booked. Early British handicap form gives him a squeak if revived, though recent chase efforts have been poor. More risky than appealing.

Runner ratings

Jisco Du Brem – 8.5/10 (p)

Empire Walk – 8/10 (p)

Low Style – 8/10

Tomas O Maille – 8/10

Lady Bluebird – 7.5/10

Ladiam – 7.5/10

Obey The Order – 7.5/10 (P)

Survivors Sister – 7/10

It’s Time Again – 6.5/10

Nothing Hectic – 6.5/10

Portarlington – 5.5/10

My Cullen – 5.5/10

Charlie’s Dilemma – 5/10

Ellaat – 4.5/10

Brave Crogha – 3/10


Reserves:

Aine’s Lad – would rate around 7/10 if getting in, though quicker ground is a concern.

Andyourbirdcansing – 5.5/10

Elbow Lane – 3.5/10

Listentomewillya – 2/10


Race trends and profile notes

Proven Ballinrobe form is a major positive.

Good-ground stayers with tactical speed are favoured here.

Handicap debutants from major yards deserve respect in this grade.

Watch the market carefully on Obey The Order and any runner returning from layoffs or second starts after breaks.

Hold-up horses may need luck in-running around this sharp circuit in a 16-runner field.


Private tissue estimate

Jisco Du Brem – 5/1

Empire Walk – 6/1

Tomas O Maille – 13/2

Low Style – 7/1

Obey The Order – 15/2

Lady Bluebird – 8/1

Ladiam – 9/1

Survivors Sister – 10/1

It’s Time Again – 16/1

Nothing Hectic – 16/1


Summary This looks a tightly-knit staying handicap where course experience and suitability to good ground could prove decisive. Tomas O Maille has obvious claims returning to his optimum venue off a workable mark, while Jisco Du Brem and Empire Walk bring more progressive profiles into the race. Low Style appeals as one of the safer, solid contenders likely to run his race again.

ChatGPT Smart Plays

Win: Jisco Du Brem – progressive profile, step back up in trip should suit ideally, and his recent form looks stronger than many here.

Each-way: Tomas O Maille – proven C&D performer who looks attractively handicapped back at Ballinrobe and should improve from his comeback run.