Racecards
20:00 Dundalk (IRE)
Floodlit Fridays Continue At Dundalk Stadium Race
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 7f
- Going: Standard
- Surface: Polytrack
- €13,000 added
- Winner: €7,800
- 2nd: €2,600
- 3rd: €1,300
- 4th: €650
- Form 900489-
- Age 5
- Weight 9-12
- Official Rating 98
- Trainer J G Murphy
- Jockey A J Slattery
chased leaders early, held up after 2f, ridden and no impression 2f out, no extra over 1f out
- Form 9073-21
- Age 4
- Weight 9-8
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer J P O'Brien
- Jockey Declan McDonogh
soon disputed, led after 1f, pushed along 1 1/2f out, kept on strongly under hands and heels inside final furlong, comfortably
- Form 432626-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 97
held up, 4th halfway, ridden to close in 3rd 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
- Form 4/43200-
- Age 5
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer A McGuinness
- Jockey Ronan Whelan
held up in rear, closer on outer 2f out, ridden in 4th 1 1/2f out, kept on to dispute 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd at line
- Form 1415/2-2
- Age 4
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer J P O'Brien
- Jockey S M Crosse
chased leaders, 2nd after 2f, ridden 1 1/2f out, no impression on winner 1f out, disputed 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd at line
- Form 755700-
- Age 5
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 90
disputed, headed after 1f, ran freely early, 3rd halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, no extra 1 1/2f out
In depth
Verdict
Joseph O'Brien appears to hold the key here with San Andreas, who made most for an impressive victory over a mile three weeks ago, and NO NEEDS NEVER (NAP). The latter, narrowly beaten in a Naas Group 3 last April, had no answer to Bowerman on his reappearance last month but that should have blown the cobwebs away and he looks the one to beat. Laugh A Minute had some smart form for Roger Varian, including a second place in a Newcastle Group 3, and he's an excellent addition to Ado McGuinness' string. Black Magic Woman was only beaten a neck in a premier handicap at Leopardstown in September and has won around here so can't be ignored.
Formwatch
Insignia Of Rank (IRE) 16-1 (9-12) Soon raced in 5th, effort and not much room between horses from 2f out, one pace from over 1f out, 9th of 16, 8 1/4l behind One Cool Poet (9-3) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp gf in Sep.
San Andreas (IRE) 10-3 (9-8) Tracked leader and led after 1 1/2f, 2 lengths clear and travelling well 2f out, ridden and stayed on well inside final furlong, easily, won at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Feb beating Spiorad Saoirse (8-9) by 6 1/2l, 8 ran.
Black Magic Woman (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Broke well, soon dropped back to mid-division, pushed along approaching straight and 4th 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, no extra, 6th of 12, 7l behind Yulong Gold Fairy (9-2) at Tipperary 7f Grp 3 stks (1) Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Laugh A Minute 12-1 (9-3) In touch far side, ridden over 1f out, never on terms, weakened inside final furlong, last of 24, 10 3/4l behind Angel Alexander (8-13) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
No Needs Never (IRE) 4-5fav (9-2) Soon raced in 4th, travelling smoothly straight, pushed along 1 1/2f out, chased winner final furlong, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Bowerman (9-2) at Dundalk 1m pol in Jan.
Drombeg Dream (IRE) 50-1 (9-2) Held up early, mid-division before halfway, ridden and no extra over 2f out, 10th of 13, 11 1/4l behind Up Helly Aa (9-4) at Cork 1m 1f lst stks (1) Yielding - Soft in Oct.