16:30 Dundalk

Friday 23 December 2016

All16:3017:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:00

Crowne Plaza Race & Stay Rated Race

Off time: 16:31 | Winning time: 1m 40.38s

(6)

Severus²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: O J Orr⁽⁵⁾| T: D Donovan| OR: 78

5/1

Off the mark at Wolverhampton last time out and talented 5 lb claimer booked. Should be competitive from 3lb higher in the handicap.

Form: 515-654

(12)

Little Prairie⁷⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: W J Lee| T: T Doyle| OR: 75

8/1

Made a promising start to her career in the U.K. for Hughie Morrison but has regressed since joining this yard, placing once from nine starts.

Form: 858355

(2)

A Shin Impala^p1,t1²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Wayne Lordan| T: T Stack| OR: 75

7/2

Well-backed favourite here last month but ultimately disappointing tenth of 14. Possible C&D victory here earlier in the year flatters him and hard to make a case for in current form.

Form: 108680

(1)

D'niro^h⁹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: N G McCullagh| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 75

16/1

Disappointing when last seen in September but can't be ruled out if the change of stable rejuvenates him and has very few miles on the clock. Market may guide on expectations.

Form: 1/3000-0

(8)

Toccata Blue²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 74

10/1

On a 15-race losing streak but has run with credit in two claimers here last month. Place possibilities.

Form: 200025

(9)

Shannon Soul^p,t¹⁶⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: S Foley| T: M Halford| OR: 73

8/1

Sole win came at this course in December 2014 but failed to kick-on from that and now has a significant absence to overcome. Probably best avoided unless market speaks in his favour,

Form: 54-7111

(3)

Dance Alone^t⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: D W O'Connor⁽⁵⁾| T: D English| OR: 73

8/1

Improved for the step up in trip in apprentice race here last time out and kept on well that day so every chance he'll stay this extra furlong. Holds every chance and only up 4 lb in the handicap.

Form: 762751

(10)

Ecoeye⁶⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: C R King| T: A Leahy| OR: 71

7/1

Consistent performer who has a good record on soft or heavy ground. Only out the places once in last seven runs so every chance if he's fit after a short absence.

Form: 261222

(13)

Alans Pride¹¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Gary Halpin⁽³⁾| T: R O'Brien| OR: 50

66/1

Hasn't won since stringing to wins together as a two-year-old. Having first run for this yard and has a large enough absence to overcome here.

Form: 154729

(14)

Carrigeen Prince¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: R P Downey⁽³⁾| T: G Donnelly| OR: 69

10/1

Two-time course winner who's in the form of his life currently. Has a poor draw to overcome but should prove competitive,

Form: 41316-0

(11)

Double Czech⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: D E Sheehy⁽⁷⁾| T: T G McCourt| OR: 69

66/1

Has proved disappointing for this yard on first two starts and doesn't look particularly well-handicapped even on best form.

Form: 382000

(4)

Reddot Express^t²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: P B Beggy| T: F Birrane| OR: 68

10/1

Sole victory came here and usually gives his running but may need some relief from the handicapper.

Form: 331724

(5)

Arlecchino's Rock^h⁵⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Anastasia O'Brien⁽⁵⁾| T: J F Levins| OR: 59

50/1

Off the mark at the seventeenth attempt last time out at Chelmsford and fourth has come out and won again since. Only up 2lb for that win and a player if he improves for switch of yard.

Form: 418033

Kodiac's Back^b,t¹⁶⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Rossa Ryan⁽¹⁰⁾| T: D Marnane| OR: 63

16/1

First reserve who's a C&D winner that had a productive winter round here last year. Disappointing in the summer but probably prefers the AW and a danger to all if he gets in.

Form: 338-464

Non-Runners

(7)

Mai O'higgins⁴²

Weight: 9-3| Age: 3

T: T Collins J: Ronan Whelan

Ellaria⁷

Weight: 9-0| Age: 3

T: G M Lyons J: Reserve 2

Khabaray¹³⁹

Weight: 9-0| Age: 3

T: R O'Brien J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

A Shin Impala (7/2), Severus (5/1), Ecoeye (7/1), Dance Alone (8/1), Shannon Soul (8/1), Little Prairie (8/1), Toccata Blue (10/1), Carrigeen Prince (10/1), Ellaria (10/1), Reddot Express (10/1), Mai O'higgins (10/1), Khabaray (14/1), Kodiac's Back (16/1), D'niro (16/1), Arlecchino's Rock (50/1), Alans Pride (66/1), Double Czech (66/1)

KODIAC'S BACK could be the one to side with in a typically competitive handicap. If he gets in the race and he's race-fit after a break he should be hard to beat. Dance Alone won well last time out and may find more for the step up in trip. Mal O'higgins is less exposed than most of these and is open to plenty of improvement after getting off the mark last time out. 1. Kodiac's Back 2. Dance Alone 3. Mai O'higgins