IE - Ballinrobe - Race 4

Thoroughbred

11 Runners

9.7f

Handicap

Turf

Yielding

17.5K

VIEW

Verdict

An impressive winner over C&D on reappearance, MARMELADOVA had a lot on at the weights at Gowran last time so is well worth another chance back here as she goes handicapping. Merlin The Wizard returned to winning ways on his latest outing and could be the main danger, ahead of Mocking who drops back down in grade.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob
6	Much improved after 7 months off when readily winning maiden over this C&D in May. Faced a difficult task when last of 4 in minor event at Gowran on latest outing, the winner landing a Group 3 next time, so she's an interesting contender from a potentially lenient mark on handicap debut. 1st Pick 6 Marmeladova (Ire) Jockey: William James Lee Trainer: K. J. Condon, Ireland J: William James Lee T: K. J. Condon, Ireland	100	-	-	-	39%
Analysis Much improved after 7 months off when readily winning maiden over this C&D in May. Faced a difficult task when last of 4 in minor event at Gowran on latest outing, the winner landing a Group 3 next time, so she's an interesting contender from a potentially lenient mark on handicap debut.
8	Capitalised on a drop in grade when ending long losing run in 10-runner claimer at Limerick (1½m) 12 days ago. Remains on a workable mark back in handicap company, so he merits consideration now that he's back up and running. 2nd Pick 8 Merlin The Wizard Jockey: D. B. Mcmonagle Trainer: R. P. Cody, Ireland J: D. B. Mcmonagle T: R. P. Cody, Ireland	96	-	-	-	23%
Analysis Capitalised on a drop in grade when ending long losing run in 10-runner claimer at Limerick (1½m) 12 days ago. Remains on a workable mark back in handicap company, so he merits consideration now that he's back up and running.
3	Ended 2025 with a maiden victory at Roscommon (10.5f) and shaped well on reappearance in premier handicap at the Curragh. Stepped up on that run when sixth of 15 in the Cork Derby (1½m) last month, so he could be in the mix back down in trip/grade. 3rd Pick 3 Mocking (Ire) Jockey: Ben Martin Coen Trainer: John Patrick Murtagh, Ireland J: Ben Martin Coen T: John Patrick Murtagh, Ireland	93	-	-	-	23%
Analysis Ended 2025 with a maiden victory at Roscommon (10.5f) and shaped well on reappearance in premier handicap at the Curragh. Stepped up on that run when sixth of 15 in the Cork Derby (1½m) last month, so he could be in the mix back down in trip/grade.

Upcoming Races

Horse Racing Basic Terms

Rabbit

Also known as a pacemaker; this is a horse with no expected chance of winning but is used to prompt a quick pace on the front end of the race to the benefit of a stablemate who is a closer.

Superfecta

A wager involving choosing the first, second, third, and fourth horses in one race in the exact order. A superfecta box involves paying more to ensure they can finish in any order in the top four spots.

Filly

A female horse that is four years of age or under.