Heliers can keep rivals at Bay

There’s a decent card at Ballinrobe today and Racing UK’s Gary O’Brien fancies a Jessica Harrington runner to supplement last month’s victory at the track…

Double-headers have become a much more regular feature of Irish racing since the resumption but Ballinrobe has the stage to itself this afternoon, and deservedly so as the progressive County Mayo track is a shining example of what can be achieved with sound management and good local support.

As has been the norm at their behind-closed-doors fixtures in recent months, all seven races are sponsored – in this instance by prominent local farm machinery firm McHale – and one can be sure that had this been a normal year the popular venue would have been thronged for its marquee card.

The featured McHale Mayo National at 16:45 looks very competitive, perhaps too competitive to get involved in, though the progressive Go Another One and Portmore Lough both make plenty of appeal.

Harrington charge can go in again

I would rather concentrate on the McHale Pro Glide Mower Range Handicap Hurdle (and what a fine range I’m sure it is) at 14:35, where Heliers Bay looks a decent bet to supplement her breakthrough victory at today’s venue almost a month ago.

Form: 7/06P-1

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Date	Course/Class	Pos	Type	Dist.	Gng.	HDGR	WGT	Jockey	BSP
10/08/20	Ballinrobe	1/13	Hurdle	2m 61y	Good		11st 7lbs	S. F. O’Keeffe	7.07
29/12/19	Limerick	-/17	Hurdle	2m 3f	Heavy		11st 5lbs	P. D. Kennedy	40
16/12/19	Naas	6/21	Hurdle	2m	Soft		11st 7lbs	S. F. O’Keeffe	230
07/12/19	Navan	10/25	Hurdle	2m 4f	Heavy		11st 5lbs	S. F. O’Keeffe	895.79
17/02/19	Navan	7/12	Bumper	2m	Gd/sft		11st 6lbs	Mr Finian Maguire	15

Trainer Jessica Harrington has focused her attentions increasingly on the flat in the last few years with spectacular results, but she will never forget her jumping roots and recently spoke of how she is looking forward to unleashing a more select team for the winter months. Whether this Flemensfirth mare will be good enough to be counted amongst their number remains to be seen but she certainly gave the impression that there are more races to be won with her when scampering clear to score by 4½ lengths on her aforementioned handicap debut.

It was not exactly a bolt from the blue either, as she had shown promise in some good maidens last season and attracted support at double-figure prices before eventually going off at 5/1. Kept out of trouble by jockey Sean O’Keeffe, Heliers Bay travelled well thoughout and soon put the race to bed after the final flight, though it was slightly disconcerting to see her flash her tail on the run-in.

Admittedly that wasn’t the strongest of contests either, and a 9lb rise will undoubtedly make life tougher, but today’s extra quarter-mile on the slightly stiffer outer track – her pedigree suggests she should improve over further – earns her preference over dual Tramore winner Trees Valley.

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