Ballinrobe set fair for the McHale Mayo National Handicap Chase on Monday week
Thursday, May 15, 2025
The Sam Ewing-ridden Duffle Coat on his way to winning the McHale Mayo National Handicap Chase for trainer Gordon Elliott last year. Elliott has made six entries for the latest renewal of the race which takes place at Ballinrobe on Monday week. Photo: Patrick McCann/Racing Post
As he bids to win the race for the third year running, Gordon Elliott has made six entries for the €100,000 McHale Mayo National Handicap Chase at Ballinrobe on Monday, May 26.
There are 32 entries in all for the race which is the centrepiece of the annual McHale Raceday and will be broadcast live on TG4, with coverage beginning at 4.15pm.
Gordon Elliott gained his first success in the McHale Mayo National Handicap Chase with the Danny Gilligan-ridden Tullybeg in 2023 and followed up last year with Duffle Coat, the mount of Sam Ewing.
Tullybeg is in the mix once again and, if taking his place, would be running in the race for the third time, having finished fifth behind his stable companion a year ago. Elliott could also call upon Western Fold which won a beginners' chase at Tipperary last week and also among his entries is the less exposed Yeats Star, a winner on his chasing debut at last year’s Listowel Festival.
Willie Mullins has made five entries and leading his challenge are Spanish Harlem, fourth in the bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Sandown on the final day of the 2024/2025 British National Hunt season last month, and likely top-weight Zenta.
Also there for the champion trainer is A Penny A Hundred which won her beginners' chase at Ballinrobe last September and was more recently third in the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Colreevy Mares Novice Chase at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival. She was then runner-up to Theatre Native, Rachael Blackmore’s final winner in Britain, at Cheltenham in mid-April.
Theatre Native’s trainer Henry de Bromhead has entered former Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase winner Toss Again and Native Speaker, while Gavin Cromwell has made two entries of his own, Mint Boy and Noble Birth.
Colm Murphy has entered this week’s Tote Killarney National Handicap Chase scorer Cadatharla and another Wexford raider could be the Paul Nolan-trained Kiltealy Park, successful on her most recent start at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival. The Punchestown Festival winner Sea Music could yet represent Emmet Mullins with the former BoyleSports Irish Grand National hero Lord Lariat a possible runner for Dermot McLoughlin.
Ballinrobe Racecourse manager John Flannelly said, “We could hardly be happier with how the McHale Mayo National is shaping up. It is great to see 19 different trainers targeting the race and it is certainly has the makings of a strong renewal.
“We are thrilled to be welcoming back TG4’s Rásaí Beo team who will be broadcasting the race for the fourth time. McHale Raceday is special to everyone at Ballinrobe Racecourse and we are very much looking forward to the occasion on Monday week.”
Click here for the McHale Mayo National Handicap Chase entries
There are 32 entries in all for the race which is the centrepiece of the annual McHale Raceday and will be broadcast live on TG4, with coverage beginning at 4.15pm.
Gordon Elliott gained his first success in the McHale Mayo National Handicap Chase with the Danny Gilligan-ridden Tullybeg in 2023 and followed up last year with Duffle Coat, the mount of Sam Ewing.
Tullybeg is in the mix once again and, if taking his place, would be running in the race for the third time, having finished fifth behind his stable companion a year ago. Elliott could also call upon Western Fold which won a beginners' chase at Tipperary last week and also among his entries is the less exposed Yeats Star, a winner on his chasing debut at last year’s Listowel Festival.
Willie Mullins has made five entries and leading his challenge are Spanish Harlem, fourth in the bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Sandown on the final day of the 2024/2025 British National Hunt season last month, and likely top-weight Zenta.
Also there for the champion trainer is A Penny A Hundred which won her beginners' chase at Ballinrobe last September and was more recently third in the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Colreevy Mares Novice Chase at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival. She was then runner-up to Theatre Native, Rachael Blackmore’s final winner in Britain, at Cheltenham in mid-April.
Theatre Native’s trainer Henry de Bromhead has entered former Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase winner Toss Again and Native Speaker, while Gavin Cromwell has made two entries of his own, Mint Boy and Noble Birth.
Colm Murphy has entered this week’s Tote Killarney National Handicap Chase scorer Cadatharla and another Wexford raider could be the Paul Nolan-trained Kiltealy Park, successful on her most recent start at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival. The Punchestown Festival winner Sea Music could yet represent Emmet Mullins with the former BoyleSports Irish Grand National hero Lord Lariat a possible runner for Dermot McLoughlin.
Ballinrobe Racecourse manager John Flannelly said, “We could hardly be happier with how the McHale Mayo National is shaping up. It is great to see 19 different trainers targeting the race and it is certainly has the makings of a strong renewal.
“We are thrilled to be welcoming back TG4’s Rásaí Beo team who will be broadcasting the race for the fourth time. McHale Raceday is special to everyone at Ballinrobe Racecourse and we are very much looking forward to the occasion on Monday week.”
Click here for the McHale Mayo National Handicap Chase entries
We are thrilled to be welcoming back TG4’s Rásaí Beo team who will be broadcasting the race for the fourth time. McHale Raceday is special to everyone at Ballinrobe Racecourse and we are very much looking forward to the occasion on Monday week
