Skilled, right© Photo Healy Racing
Gordon Elliott saddles half the field in the feature event at Ballinrobe tonight with three runners in the 26,000 euro E.P.S. Handicap Hurdle.
Paul Carberry takes the mount on Skilled in the two-mile-one-furlong contest for four-year-olds, and he aims to bounce back after a moderate effort on the level at Galway last time.
The Mastercraftsman gelding had been in fine form over timber in the spring when scoring at Wexford and Perth and looks to have a leading chance if recapturing his form back over hurdles.
Elliott also saddles The Scourge who was well held in a competitive handicap hurdle at Galway last time and From Frost, who bids to find some form after a couple of moderate runs. Punch Bag will be aiming to land a hat-trick and his fourth win of the year for Brendan Duke. The son of Teofilo is a tough contender but soft ground looks a concern. Jesmond Lodge had no trouble with a testing surface when gaining a deserved win at Sligo last Thursday and the sole mare in the field could make a bold bid to follow up.
Elliott saddles top weight Georges Conn in the Broderick's Electrical Handicap Hurdle and Carberry again teams up with him.
The seven-year-old got a masterful ride from the ultra-stylist to win on his return from a long absence last month and there appeared to be plenty of improvement in him then.
Willie Mullins gives the petite Ciandarragh her debut over jumps in the opening Breaffy House Resort Mares Maiden Hurdle.
The King's Theatre mare was successful on her debut in a Kilbeggan bumper and is sure to prove popular on her hurdling bow. Brogine who got off the mark in a bumper at the course last time, could be a threat as she also turns her attention to jumping. Red Jacket blotted his copybook last time when running out at Roscommon but won't get many easier opportunities to get off the mark than in the Healy Mac's at Breaffy Maiden Hurdle.
