5.10 2m. 2f. 109yds. 15 Declared. Bank Of Ireland M'dn H'dle of €10,500.00 5-y-o plus
1st - €6,300.00 2nd - €2,100.00 3rd - €1,050.00 4th - €525.00 5th - €315.00 6th - €210.00
FormscanBy Donal Murphy - MONTY DON might be good enough to take this ordinary contest on his first start for Henry de Bromhead. He came in for some market support when ninth on debut in a Galway Festival bumper last August, disappointing on his next outing at Kilbeggan. He starts off over hurdles now and it's worth noting that he is a half-brother to thirteen-time winner Clondaw Warrior, who was a brilliant servant to connections, winning the Galway Hurdle in 2016 and at Royal Ascot the previous year. Spick And Span has filled the runner-up spot on her last two visits to Ballinrobe and it'll come as no surprise if she manages to make the breakthrough now. Ballybaun Star pulled nineteen lengths clear of the third when second to Level Neverending at Kilbeggan recently and a reproduction of that performance should see him go close. The Gordon Elliott trained Hermann Clermont warrants respect, while Canteeny Benny, Musta Lovea Lovea and Barbaha Queen are others for the shortlist.
A hurdle for five years old and upwards, maidens at startingWeights - 11st 12lbs Mares allowed 7lbs