Peregrine Run© Photo Healy Racing
The most valuable meeting of the season at Ballinrobe takes place this evening, with the McHale Mayo National Handicap Chase one of two feature races on the programme.
Kaiser Black, who has since finished second in a Grade One at the Dublin Racing Festival, won this contest 12 months ago and a maximum field of 16 are set to take part for the latest running.
The 150-rated Peregrine Run will carry top-weight in the 50,000 euro two-mile-seven-furlong heat, with the Peter Fahey-trained gelding fresh from a recent victory at Killarney. Swingbridge is another who was successful at the Co Kerry venue and he is one of two Gordon Elliott-trained representatives in the line-up.
Elliott’s other contender is Mrs Lovett while Willie Mullins is also double-handed with Ask Susan and Pylonthepressure Mall Dini missed out on the Aintree National after a setback and is an interesting contender with Davy Russell booked to ride.
The McHale Mayo Handicap Hurdle is also worth 50,000 euro, with the progressive Sole Pretender one of the leading hopes.
Two from two at the venue, the Norman Lee-trained five-year-old impressed at Wexford on his last start, and is sure to have plenty of supporters now.
JP McManus looks to have a strong hand with Lone Wolf Crossed My Mind Getaway Katie Mai and Roxboro Road
The latter is bidding for a hat-trick of wins, while Getaway Katie Mai, who won a Grade Two bumper at Aintree last year, makes her debut in handicap company.
The Charles Byrnes-trained Waterville Dancer is another interesting contender, while top-weight Swamp Fox who was successful in 2017, cannot be dismissed with Russell aboard.
Just five have been declared for the opening McHale Pro Glide Hurdle, with the 145-rated Stratum looking the one to beat.
Mullins trains this six-year-old gelding and he is represented by stable stalwart Wicklow Brave in the McHale Tiger Roll Beginners Chase.
Successful at in Grade One company over hurdles and on the level, the 10-year-old gelding makes his debut over fences and should prove hard to beat.
Mullins saddles Elite Charboniere in the McHale Fusion Maiden Hurdle and this French-bred grey will need to improve on his Fairyhouse effort if he is to feature here.
The consistent Oskar High should give a good account of himself in the www.McHale.net Handicap Hurdle, while Risk Factor Blazing Emily Avanzi and Soldiers Hill appear the ones to focus on in the concluding McHale Orbital Flat Race.
