Racecards
16:45 Dundalk (IRE)
Crowne Plaza Hotel Dundalk Handicap (45-65) (Div 1)
- 14 Runners
- Distance: 1m 2f 150y
- Going: Standard
- Surface: Polytrack
- €10,000 added
- Winner: €6,000
- 2nd: €2,000
- 3rd: €999
- 4th: €500
- Form 5/0853-0
- Age 5
- Weight 10-2
- Official Rating 65
- Trainer L Comer
- Jockey M P Sheehy
towards rear for most, ridden and no impression over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
- Form 000/700-
- Age 8
- Weight 9-13
- Official Rating 62
- Trainer P J McKenna
- Jockey J A Heffernan
mid-division, ridden and progress 2f out, stayed on into 4th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, just held for 2nd at line
Merroir (IRE)
108- Form 533046-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-11
- Official Rating 61
- Trainer J P O'Brien
- Jockey S M Crosse
rear of mid-division, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
- Form 326698-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-11
- Official Rating 61
- Trainer Mrs J Harrington
- Jockey C P Hoban
always towards rear, ridden and no impression on outer over 2f out
- Form 0/00006-
- Age 5
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 56
- Trainer J C McConnell
- Jockey Rory Cleary
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression over 2f out, kept on one pace
- Form 000/716-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 55
- Trainer L Breen
- Jockey K J Manning
always towards rear, ridden and no impression over 2f out
- Form 07300-0
- Age 4
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 54
- Trainer D A McLoughlin
- Jockey D E Sheehy
held up, rear of mid-division, ridden and closer briefly on inner 2f out, no extra 1 1/2f out
- Form 62220-7
- Age 11
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 50
- Trainer A Slattery
- Jockey A J Slattery
disputed, led after 1f, ridden and pressed 2f out, soon headed, no extra in 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace
- Form 506400-
- Age 5
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 48
- Trainer J C McConnell
- Jockey S Foley
mid-division, ridden and progress towards inner 2f out, 3rd 1 1/2f out, 2nd under 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no chance with winner, just held 2nd at line
- Form 30690-4
- Age 6
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 48
- Trainer A McCann
- Jockey Annalise Cullen
settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace
- Form 150800-
- Age 7
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 47
- Trainer K H Clarke
- Jockey G P Brouder
disputed early, chased leaders after 1f, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd 2f out, no extra 1 1/2f out, weakened
- Form 080317-
- Age 4
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 48
- Trainer S Lavery
- Jockey Chris Hayes
disputed briefly, soon chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace
- Form 0000/0-8
- Age 5
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 47
- Trainer G P Cromwell
- Jockey C D Maxwell
mid-division, ridden and no extra over 2f out, soon no impression
- Form 70/08-8
- Age 4
- Weight 8-9
- Official Rating 45
- Trainer J P Fahey
- Jockey Wayne Lordan
disputed early, chased leader after 1f, 2nd halfway, ridden to challenge 2f out, soon led, kept on strongly final furlong
- Form 6537-4
- Age 4
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 64
In depth
Verdict
The veteran Sharjah has had several near-misses in his bid for a tenth track victory and is by no means out of this. Solar System and Ms Thompson dead-heated over the track and trip in October and they meet on the same terms though both have been well beaten subsequently. Ragtime Red finished a long way back that day but ran much better last week and is expected to get into contention. Canning is still a maiden and has been beaten from this mark the last three times but the vote goes to MERROIR. Still a maiden after nine starts, she's changed stables and has dropped to what looks a winnable mark. Red Ball Of Fire would have to be considered if getting a run from his reserve spot.
Formwatch
Canning (IRE) 12-1 (10-2) Soon prominent, disputed 2nd and pushed along approaching straight, soon lost position and no impression, weakened final furlong, 11th of 14, 9 3/4l behind Chateau Musar (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan.
Sam Missile (IRE) 80-1 (12-0) Mid-division, mistakes 1st and 2nd, 7th when bumped 3 out and rider briefly lost iron, weakened, 16th of 18, dist behind Dewcup (12-0) at Punchestown 2m 1f mdn Yielding in Sep.
Merroir (IRE) 17-2 (9-2) Tracked leaders early, towards rear halfway, pushed along before straight, soon headway again, one pace over 1f out, 6th of 8, 9 1/2l behind Coltor (9-7) at Killarney 1m 3f mdn sft in Oct.
Waterville Lady (IRE) 40-1 (8-11) Dwelt, in rear, no impression straight, never a factor, 8th of 12, 7 3/4l behind Juyush (9-7) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Dec.
Rita Levi (IRE) 66-1 (10-1) Dwelt, soon raced towards rear, ridden 2f out, progress 1f out, kept on final furlong, never on terms, 6th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Crystal Dawn (10-2) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Oct.
Solar System (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) In touch, 3rd over 4f out, closed over 2f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 14, 7 1/2l behind Irish Poseidon (10-2) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Airlift (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, ridden and closer on inner 2f out, no extra final furlong, 10th of 14, 6l behind Emphatic (9-11) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Jan.
Sharjah (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Soon disputed, led after 3f, ridden and pressed 2f out, soon headed, no extra in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 13, 4 3/4l behind Falak (9-9) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Jan.
Arctic Blaze (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, always behind, never a factor, 11th of 14, 7 1/2l behind New Vocation (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
Ragtime Red (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Quick away, close up and led early, prominent in 2nd, effort straight, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Romann (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan.
Getgo 18-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden entering straight, weakened, 13th of 14, 18 1/2l behind Crest Of A Wave (8-10) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
Ms Thompson (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden in 5th 2f out, soon no impression, 7th of 14, 4 1/4l behind New Vocation (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
Swift Justice 40-1 (8-12) Soon mid-division, 10th approaching straight and under pressure, kept on without threatening final furlong, 8th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Chateau Musar (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan.
Never Mistabeat (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Pushed along at stages from early, soon mid-division, disputed 10th approaching straight, no impression when switched right to outer under 2f out, kept on same pace without threatening, 8th of 14, 10l behind Romann (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan.
Red Ball Of Fire (IRE) 11-2 (10-2) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Emphatic (9-11) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Jan.
Griffyndor (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Dwelt, soon mid-division, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace entering final furlong, 7th of 14, 4 3/4l behind Stay With Me (8-12) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Jan.
Odd Venture (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Pushed along briefly early, soon chased leaders, 6th halfway, effort straight, one pace final furlong, 6th of 14, 4 3/4l behind Aldente (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov.