8.25pm Ballinrobe Tips & Betting Preview 27/06/2017

A field of nine go to post for the penultimate race of the day at Ballinrobe on Tuesday evening, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Any market support for Charles Byrnes Denham Sound should be noted as she has been in good form over hurdles but this can go to Tony Martin’s CREEPING IVY. She was a rapid improver on the all weather in the autumn for connections, winning twice in succession and the latest of those came very comfortably under today’s rider Oisin Orr. She has been ticking over in the hurdling sphere this winter and a big run is expected as she returns to the flat, with Byron Beauty a place contender as she performs well here and will appreciate conditions.

1 NANABAD – Finished a good second at Tipperary on her penultimate start when coming home strongly and her latest effort at the Curragh is best ignored as she was far too keen early on and that ruined her chances. She is now down in grade and a return to slightly better ground will be of help, with 7lb claimer Dylan Hogan retaining the ride for Jarlath Fahey. Likely to be in the shake up and has to be considered.

2 WATER SPRITE – Gordon Elliott runner who ran well over hurdles when last seen at this venue and she returns to the flat off a mark of 76, which is a pound lower than when she was a good second at Tramore in August. With heavy rain forecast overnight she has to be considered a main contender for top connections with Declan McDonogh taking the ride. Will stay all day at this trip and has to be respected.

3 CHOCOLAT NOIR – Third at Navan three starts ago when storming home over the 1m 5f trip and although he was disappointed when last seen at the same venue, he has definite prospects off the same mark as long as the ground doesn’t soften up too much. Colin Keane takes the ride for the Murtagh team and she’s one to consider as she remains with potential as a lightly raced four year old by Yeats.

4 TORQUAY – Placed on two occasions for the Ed Dunlop yard, including on her penultimate start at Lingfield in August but she was disappointing when last seen at Salisbury and makes her debut today for the McNamara yard. The predicted softer going is unlikely to be a help to her and the absence of 272 days is another big concern, so she’s likely best watched on this occasion under Gary Carroll.

5 CREEPING IVY – Rapid improver in the autumn for Tony Martin on the all weather, winning twice in succession when last seen on the flat and she took the second of those victories in very ready style. She has been running as expected over hurdles this winter and she’ll appreciate a return to the flat, retaining the services of five pound claimer Oisin Orr. She’s only eight pound higher now returning to this discipline and can take full advantage for a third career victory.

6 DENHAM SOUND – Running well over hurdles for Charles Byrnes and she makes her first flat start since October 2016, where she was eighth at Leicester when still with the Henry Candy yard. She is a seven race maiden in this discipline but showed sufficient promise to suggest she can do damage off a mark of 70, with the softer ground unlikely to be a problem for her. Pat Smullen is booked and market support should be noted.

7 LITTLE STAMPY – Runs more often than not on the all weather, finishing a good second at Wolverhampton on her penultimate start before a fair fourth at Downpatrick over hurdles ten days ago. Strong stayer at this trip and Killian Leonard takes off a useful five pounds, but she wouldn’t want to much rain she’s likely vulnerable if any ‘soft’ creeps into the description. Possible each way contender but there are far more solid options.

8 BIBLIOTHECA – Finished a good third at the Curragh back in September in miserable conditions but she wasn’t anywhere near that form when tailed off at Southwell on seasonal debut. Lots to prove now as she confirmed her inconsistency and with far more solid options in the race, she’s likely best watched for now.

9 BYRON BEAUTY – Officially three pound wrong in this contest but this nine year old mare runs well here at Ballinrobe, placing at this venue when last seen here and she performs well on softer ground which is a big plus. Chris Hayes is very good jockey booking and a likely statement of intent, so she’s a solid candidate for the placings.