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The one race you can't afford to miss on Monday

Gavin Cromwell: 'He got a small bit of a knock at Leopardstown and, I suppose we were being a bit optimistic and were hoping that he'd be okay in time for Cheltenham.”
Gavin Cromwell: has a classy filly in the shape of Sunset ShirazCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

7.10 Ballinrobe
Burleigh Accountancy Handicap Hurdle | 2m1f, 4yo | RTV

Why is it interesting?

The race revolves around Lever Du Soleil, who won four races in a row on the Flat in Britain in the space of 15 days in July.

Trips to Musselburgh, Ayr, Catterick and Hamilton were all successful and his Flat mark soared from 54 to 82 as a consequence. He returned to hurdling at Galway ten days and beat all bar Lucky Icon in a hot handicap hurdle.

Down in class off a mark of 128 and with Conor McNamara taking off a valuable 7lb, Lever Du Soleil is sure to be hugely popular with punters and could take some stopping.

Gavin Cromwell is also represented by Father Ailbe, who chased home One Cool Poet in a 1m4f Flat handicap at Galway nine days ago and might not be badly treated off a mark of 109 on his return to hurdling with Jonathan Moore booked.

What do the stats say?

Gavin Cromwell has his jumps team in top form and is showing a level stakes profit for his runners in hurdles, chases and bumpers this season. He is +€3.33 in hurdle races, +€6 in chases and +€8.33 in bumpers to a €1 level stake.

Furthermore, Cromwell's record when using 7lb claimer Conor McNamara is terrific. The pair have teamed up for five winners, yielding a €7 level-stakes profit.

What do the trainers say?

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Lever Du Soleil and Father Ailbe
Lever Du Soleil ran an absolute cracker at Galway and he is definitely better going right-handed. He handles all sorts of ground so I don't see conditions being an issue. He's in great form. Father Ailbe is running in his first handicap over hurdles so lacks a bit of experience, but I was thrilled with his run on the Flat at Galway and he has got a lovely, low weight.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Smiling Eliza
She only got as far as the first over fences at Galway so hopefully she'll get a bit further here. She has a nice weight, she's working well and this looked a nice race for her so we're hoping for a really good run.

Edward O'Grady, trainer of Humaniste
He's still unexposed as a hurdler and on his Fairyhouse win from last winter you would be hopeful. It was his first run back over hurdles at Galway and I hope he can run respectably here. He's in good form.

Spotlight verdict

Gavin Cromwell is two-handed here with Father Ailbe and Lever Du Soleil, and the latter will be very popular to go one better than at Galway. However, the consistent Zoffalee is put forward as a longer-priced alternative.
Tyrone Molloy


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Deputy Ireland editor

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