UK Horse Racing Tips: Ballinrobe

SLIM MARVEL, who finished third in a mares maiden hurdle here last month, has every chance of going two places better. The six-year-old is somewhat unfortunate to be starting the new season still without a win, as she only went down by a nose when looking all over a winner at Wexford in November. The Andrew Slattery-trained mare won't get many better opportunities. With John Ryan one of the leading trainers at this venue, his representative Drumgill has to be of interest. Although well beaten in a competitive affair at Punchestown last week, the five-yea-old had earlier finished runner-up at Bellewstown. Wandering Rocks, a winner on the flat when trained in Britain, looks another live contender for trainer Bill Durkan.
Prediction : 1st Slim Marvel 2nd Drumgill 3rd Wandering Rocks

NEW BARN LANE may be worth chancing on his debut for trainer Conor O'Dwyer. The seven-year-old undoubtedly has the ability to win a race of this nature but tends to pull much too hard. If O'Dwyer has managed to settle the son of Getaway, then he would have strong claims around a tight track which should suit his prominent racing style. Spick And Span, who was twice runner-up in maidens at this track a couple of years back, isn't without her chance. The Aidan Howard-trained mare has been off the racecourse since last September so her fitness has to be taken on trust. Handicap debutant Inthenickoftime, who like the latter also carries the J.P. McManus colours, is open to plenty of improvement.
Prediction : 1st New Barn Lane 2nd Spick And Span 3rd Inthenickoftime

The Willie Mullins-trained SUPERSUNDAE can score on just his second start for the champion trainer. The fact Mullins ran the five-year-old in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle on his initial outing suggests that the former French trained gelding must have been showing up well at home. Beaten just over ten lengths at the festival, he should find this a formality. Point-to-point winner Marv Michael has twice reached the frame in maiden hurdles, achieving a rating of 112 in the process. Ordinarily that might well be good enough to win a country maiden but the Henry De Bromhead-trained six-year-old looks to have bumped into one here. Kilkee Bay looks one that can make the frame for trainer Gordon Elliott.
Prediction : 1st Supersundae 2nd Marv Michael 3rd Kilkee Bay

CAPTAIN JIMMY, who returned to form with an emphatic success at this track last month, can follow up. The Pat Kelly-trained veteran went clear on the run-in to win easily by five lengths. Although subsequently hit with an 8lb rise, the 11-year-old could well be capable of overcoming that hike in what looks an ordinary race. A dual winner here in 2022, It's Time Again was no match for Captain Jimmy when back in third in the aforementioned race. However, given that the David Barry-trained mare was having her first start in over a year, she might be capable of getting much closer on these revised terms. Mac's Xpress disappointed when sent to Stratford last time but on the balance of his Irish form the Paul Gilligan-trained six-year-old holds claims.
Prediction : 1st Captain Jimmy 2nd Its Time Again 3rd Macs Xpress

COILLTE ARIS, who went close in two stronger races at Naas recently, can get off the mark. The Sonny Carey-trained mare takes a further step up in trip, something that her breeding suggests should suit. Having had just the six starts in her career, she remains open to progression this season. Any Day Now was a winner at Sligo when last seen back in October. The 6lb rise subsequently inflicted by the handicapper is largely offset by Liam Quinlan claiming 5lb here. Former Listowel bumper runner-up Song For My Father reverts to hurdling here after two starts over fences. The Ross O'Sullivan-trained gelding had some decent maiden runs that would give him a chance of sorts in this lesser company.
Prediction : 1st Coillte Aris 2nd Any Day Now 3rd Song For My Father

Former Grade 1 winning hurdler ZENTA can strike on just her second start over fences. The Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old shaped with plenty of promise when third in a Grade 2 Novice Chase in Cork before Christmas. The ex-French trained filly will find this assignment much easier, while the better ground should also be in her favour. Magnor Glory, a winner here over hurdles, looks one of the chief dangers. The Terence O'Brien-trained gelding had some smart form over flights last season, including when runner-up in a Listed race at Killarney. Provided he takes to the larger obstacles, the eight-year-old can get competitive. Charlie Luciano, who made all when winning here last August, has also proven his ability to handle this track.
Prediction : 1st Zenta 2nd Magnor Glory 3rd Charlie Luciano

The Denis Hogan-trained HENNING is sure to be well primed for this first visit to her owners local track. The seven-year-old, who is a three-time winner over hurdles, can race off a 9lb lower mark in this discipline. The fact that the daughter of Rock Of Gibraltar ran her best race over fences on her reappearance augers well on this return from another break. A winner here over hurdles, Presenting Lad commands plenty respect given his liking for the track. It would be no surprise to see the Mark McNiff-trained gelding take a step forward on his two previous runs over fences. At the foot of the weights, Ricky Langford catches the eye for the in-form Philip Rothwell yard.
Prediction : 1st Henning 2nd Presenting Lad 3rd Ricky Langford

The patience of connections of the well-bred SORRENTINO can be rewarded in this finale. Sent off a warm favourite for a bumper at the Punchestown Festival last year, the gelding unseated before halfway. Having resisted the temptation to return to the County Kildare venue last week, Willie Mullins can see his six-year-old gain compensation here. Kate Knows Best was runner-up on her racecourse debut at Gowran Park in February before running below par at that same track the following month. Given plenty of time to cover, she can show her true ability now. Fatal Flaw is worth a second look in the betting market given that his trainer Johnathan Sweeney is well able to ready one for a bumper.
Prediction : 1st Sorrentino 2nd Kate Knows Best 3rd Fatal Flaw