Ballinrobe — 24 August 2026

2m2f60y · Good · 18 ran

We passed. Likely winner: Minella Post (2/1)

Won by: Colliers Quay (IRE) at 11/2 · then Minella Post (GB), Coolishael (IRE)

What we said: This is an 18-runner maiden hurdle where Minella Post looks the one with genuine ability but he was pulled up last time and carries a first-time tongue strap plus a poor trainer 14-day record, while Coolishael's solid placed form is undercut by a 79-day layoff that this system flags as a mild negative; nothing at a workable price clears the bar in a field this size and this scattered. Vargas has a piece of form for Elliott but only third-in-market claims at 12/1, and the maiden ranks below are too unproven to trust on a firm-leaning surface.

2m2f60y · Good · 6 ran

Our bet: O'Grady Cracker (6/4)

Won by: Ocean Murphy (GB) at 5/2 · then Houndsworth (IRE)

What we said: Won his last two starts including a 1/18 romp 21 days ago at today's trip and going, with a perfect 6/6 record over jumps and course/distance form reading 811 and 11 on this ground. JJ Slevin takes over and the profile of an improving, unbeaten-this-campaign type at a fair price makes this the moneyed play in a small, workable field.

2m6f61y · Good · 13 ran

Our bet: Cool Native (7/4)

Won by: Amina (GER) at 6/4F · then Ronnie's Rascal (IRE), I Dont Really Care (IRE)

What we said: Consistently in the frame at this trip and around today's class (3-U-4-3), she's proven she stays on well enough to place last time out over a shorter trip, and the step up to today's near-3-mile trip should suit a mare who's already shown she gets the job done at the fences (3 of 4 completed). Jack Kennedy takes over and the model still rates her the standout in a scattered maiden field even before adding the obvious placed-form case.

2m6f61y · Good · 19 ran

We passed. Likely winner: Princess Felicia (4/1)

Won by: Princess Felicia (IRE) at 3/1F · then Joshua Chamberlain (IRE), Fine Print (IRE), Gerrys Wish (IRE)

What we said: Nineteen runners in a handicap hurdle is the exact race type built to be levelled out, and here the market reflects that: Princess Felicia, Gerrys Wish, Giorgia Rose and Phildante all carry legitimate recent form (a second last time out for Princess Felicia, a string of places for Gerrys Wish, a placed-heavy 38-333 line for Giorgia Rose, a last-time winner in Phildante) with nothing separating them cleanly at the prices. With four or more open cases and no standout jumping, pace or class angle to lean on, this is a race to watch rather than bet.

2m1f48y · Good · 6 ran

We passed. Likely winner: Bowensonfire (11/4)

Won by: Bunting (FR) at 10/11F

What we said: the write-up made a claim the racecard does not support, so this pick was withheld

2m7f65y · Good · 9 ran

Our bet: Jeroboam Machin (2/1)

Won by: Rusty Harkness (GB) · then Fou De Toi (FR)

What we said: The form line reads /8-432, a clear upward trajectory into this beginners chase, and he already carries the highest rating in the field with all three chase starts completed cleanly. The step up to today's longer trip (+1.5f on his last run) looks a natural progression for a horse still finding his form, and Emmet Mullins/Donagh Meyler combination adds confidence in a green chaser.

2m0f71y · Good · 12 ran

We passed. Likely winner: Zara's Dream (11/8)

Won by: Elegantemente (FR) at 8/1 · then She Was The One (IRE), Indoor Sport (IRE)

What we said: Zara's Dream is a warm order on résumé alone (blank form, no rating), and the case for her is really just "big Mullins yard, big score" — the kind of strength the market has already baked into 11/8, with nothing today (no course/distance form, no working revealed) that adds to it; behind her, She Was The One (PR96, in-form third last time), Queens Counsel and The Lodge Lane (PR111 off a solid third 16 days ago, market money at -15%) all have live claims but none stands out enough to back outright in a scattered field.