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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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Preview ballinrobe 24th Jun
Brian's Express pictured on his way to victory under Robbie Moran
© Photo Healy Racing
The Eamon Sheridan Opportunity Handicap Hurdle is the feature race at Ballinrobe, and Fethard Player's recent Tipperary second brings him right into the reckoning.
Good to firm ground brought about marked improvement in the son of King's Theatre earlier this month and although he has been handed a 3lb rise in the weights, that seems fair given the winner Big Generator has since followed up over fences.
Chief among the opposition is Elsie, who is out to build on her maiden success at Punchestown now pitched into handicap company for the first time.
The action gets under way at 5.10 with the Mulholland Bookmakers Maiden Hurdle and Cassells Rock appears to have been found a real opening.
Tony Martin's charge, a winner on the Flat in France, was a good second at Tipperary on his latest start and should be able to make a winning impression if running up to his mark of 112.
The Ladies Day At Ballinrobe Maiden Hurdle offers Oscar Vespasian a good chance to break his duck.
A neck second at Downpatrick last time out, he gave the impression that the step back up to two and a half miles will suit.
There are plenty of handicap hurdle contests for punters to get stuck into and Lost Book bids to repeat last month's course-and-distance success when she lines up for the John Madden & Sons Handicap Hurdle, although she has struggled at Clonmel since.
Division one of the Audi Ballina Ballinrobe Opportunity Handicap Hurdle could go the way of last year's winner Rodeo Rocket, while division two is a good opportunity for Down Royal victor Leibniz to notch up a quick-fire double.
Champion trainer Willie Mullins is typically well represented in the bumpers and Run Fly Run is expected to leave a moderate course debut behind in the Family Day 22nd July (Mares) (Pro/Am) Flat Race, while the same can be said about Cork sixth Rolihlahla in the Find Us On Facebook (C & G) (Pro/Am) Flat Race.