Sligo, Wednesday 19 August 2026

Sligo, Wednesday 19 August 2026

Seven races on the card at Sligo this evening on good ground, and the stats worth pinning to your screen before a ball is struck are these: Patrick Mullins wins 45% of his rides at this track, and the Mullins yard has gone 12 from 27 in the last fortnight. When those two forces align, you need a very good reason to oppose. Brian Francis Cawley is also worth noting at 15% course wins but an A/E of 2.84, meaning his runners return better than their prices suggest. Keep an eye on anything wearing his colours at a price.

7:18 — Francie ‘Banger’ Burns Handicap Hurdle (2m4½f)

Selection: In For The Night at 6/1 (Boyle Sports / LiveScore Bet)

This is an 11-runner handicap hurdle on good ground and In For The Night shaped as the most straightforward pick from the data. He won last time out, arrives 26 days later in solid condition, and has the trip and going in his favour. At 6/1 in a competitive field, the each-way terms at three places mean there is genuine value in backing him both ways.

The danger from the Mullins yard is Drombane, and with Willie Mullins running at 44% in the last 14 days you can never dismiss his runners lightly. Two runner-up finishes from recent starts show the gelding retains ability, and Brian Hayes is a capable partner, but a run of five without a win is a flag. In The Minus, trained by Brian Francis Cawley (A/E of 2.84 at this track), is also worth a small each-way interest at 13/2. Cawley’s record here suggests he brings horses ready to run when he makes the trip.

In For The Night Each-Way remains the call. Harpy Eagle won last time but has gone sixth, sixth before that and carries a heavy weight. He can take place money at best.

7:48 — Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle (3m1½f)

Selection: Mr Dibbs at 10/1 (Boyle Sports / Betfred)

Twelve runners, four places each-way, and a stamina test of 3m1½f on good ground. Gavin Cromwell has been in red-hot form over the last fortnight at four winners from 14 runners, and Mr Dibbs arrives with an eight last time out that is easily excused. Two starts back he won, and he has experience of both the trip and the going here. Eoin Staples in the saddle is also significant: 36% winners at Sligo from 11 rides with an A/E of 2.65 is remarkable form for any jockey at any track.

Mr Dibbs Each-Way at 10/1 in a 12-runner handicap with a hot trainer and a course specialist jockey is exactly the kind of angle this column exists for.

Keep Em Quite will attract market support at 4/1 given his second last time out, but trainer Cian Collins has not saddled a winner from 13 runners over the last fortnight. That stat matters. Ilbdare won last time but has been off 71 days, which introduces a fitness question in a 3m-plus stamina race. Luck Between Us is interesting with Donncha Duggan training at a 1.78 A/E at this course, but the 34-day break and modest RPR context make Mr Dibbs the better play.

5:07 — Sligo Plumb Centre Mares Maiden Hurdle (2m1½f)

Selection: Cotswold Blue at 4/9 (Boyle Sports / LiveScore Bet)

This is not a race for value hunters but it is a race worth including for one simple reason: Patrick Mullins at Sligo wins 45% of his rides. Cotswold Blue, trained by Willie Mullins (12 from 27 in the last 14 days), comes here on a form line of 2-2-1. She is improving, she has shown she finishes off her races, and with Mullins in the saddle on good ground over a trip that looks within her compass, this is a near-banker in a nine-runner maiden. You are not taking 4/9 for a profit, you are taking 4/9 because it wins.

Belladaball at 3/1 for Gavin Cromwell is the only realistic threat, and Cromwell’s recent 14-day form is strong. But the fall on her form line introduces a confidence query, and opposing the Mullins operation in a small-field maiden at their home track in Ireland rarely ends well.

Today’s NAP

Mr Dibbs — Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle (7:48, Sligo)
Odds: 10/1 — Boyle Sports (others: 10/1 Betfred, 9/1 LiveScore Bet)

Gavin Cromwell at four winners from 14 runners over the last fortnight, Eoin Staples with a staggering 36% strike rate and 2.65 A/E at this course, and a horse who won two starts ago over the same trip and going conditions. The eight last time out is the only negative in the file and looks a blip rather than a trend. In a 12-runner handicap at 10/1, the each-way case is hard to argue against. Four places at 1/5 odds means you are covered from the front of the market to mid-division, and this horse has every reason to run into that money.

Each-Way Recommended — 4 places at 1/5 odds