Timeform Irish SmartPlays: Eligible to take the opener

Timeform look at the national hunt action at Ballinrobe

Timeform's Irish team concentrate on the action at Ballinrobe, providing you with three bets...

The Noel Meade-trained Eligible shaped with some promise on his hurdling debut at Punchestown, racing with zest out in front before being collared on the home turn, and he can show the benefit of that experience by landing the opener at Ballinrobe. There are plenty of horses in opposition that simply don't look up to winning a race, but that accusation cannot be thrown at Eligible - who also showed fair form in bumpers - and he can score with a hood fitted for the first time.

Onzo Mor may be better over fences but he is weighted accordingly and he can take advantage of his lower hurdles mark in the two-and-a-half mile handicap hurdle at 18:30. The step back up in trip could be the key for Denis Cullen's charge as he simply lacked the pace to get involved over the minimum trip last time, though he did stay on fairly strongly, leaving the impression he can strike granted a stiffer test.

Muzak is not the most prolific of winners but he has been in good heart of late and should give a good account in the 19:30. John Monroe's ten-year-old is seemingly as effective over fences as he is hurdles, so reverting back to the larger obstacles is unlikely to pose any problems and he has fewer questions to answer than most of his rivals.

Irish SmartPlays:
All at Ballinrobe

Back Eligible in the 17:30
Back Onzo Mor in the 18:30
Back Muzak in the 19:30

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