Ballinrobe 5:26 Result

Small, top-heavy field of six where the top two on ratings clearly stand out. O'Grady Cracker's recent form line (800-11) shows a horse rapidly progressing, with back-to-back wins last time out including a strong recent run 21 days ago - fresh enough to go again. JJ Slevin taking the ride is a strong booking and suggests confidence from a yard/connections that clearly rate this horse. OR of 117 is close enough to top-rated Manoir De Mirande (120) but O'Grady Cracker looks the one still on a fast upward curve, whereas Manoir De Mirande's form figures (-37112) show more inconsistency with a couple of dips mixed among the recent placed efforts, and he carries top weight at 166lbs under a 7lb claimer which adds pressure. The application of a visor here on O'Grady Cracker (headgear v) alongside the improving figures points to a yard finding the key to unlock this horse's talent. The rest of the field are all rated in the high-90s to low 100s and look to be competing for places rather than the win - Houndsworth, William F Browne, Ocean Murphy and Nile Star are 15-25lbs behind these two on ratings, a significant gap in a handicap hurdle. This looks a match at the top of the weights, and I prefer the horse with cleaner, more progressive recent form and the stronger jockey booking over the one carrying max weight with a slightly inconsistent profile.