MICHAEL - Ballinrobe 7.40 - Handicap - 1 mile 4 and 1/2 furlongs - Soft (3 reserves) - 14 run

 

At the top end of the market NO Hassle gets a 7lbs penalty for a win here last time and rain since will not boost its chances of following up. While You're Up has strong form claims but Stall 16 will make this very tough (reserves are allocated stalls in case you wondered how you can be drawn 16 in a 14 runner field). Summer Fly is an ex French horse who ran a blinder to finish runner up here at 100/1 on Irish debut, it was beaten by a 50/1 poke that day so I think we may have to take the form with a large pinch of salt. We'll see!

 

I think the trip is on the sharp side here for Clever Currency and Viceregent, Dubai Clover placed on seasonal debut and is perhaps the hardest one in the field to accurately analyse and  there are a couple I simply fancy more after a deep look at the field. Riyami was the final one i left off and frankly has a craking e/w chance on every measure, mark; form; going but a draw in Stall 17 is very very tricky! . If a selection was a non runner, move him up!

 

My selections are decent e/w prices and on the large side but both have stronger claims than may initially be the view, BAYOU BELLE has been a runner up off a mark of 52 at Kilbeggan aver just short of this trip and placed twice at a mile too off 47 and 49, the ground holds no fears, it runs off a mark of 49 and gets a lovely berth in Stall 3. I think it's cracking each way value.

 

At bigger odds I will have a poke on WHITE STRAND, one standout run in an otherwise disappointing sequence was on handicap debut off a mark of 66 when runner up ove r1 mile 3 furlongs , it runs off 55 here at 50/1 for a canny Yard and drawn in Stall 4, it should at the very least have the run of the race and every chance to improve markedly on a recent seasonal debut.

 

Tips (1) Bayou Belle (2) White Strand