18:30 Dundalk

Friday 15 December 2017

All17:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:3021:00

Christmas Party Packages At Dundalk Stadium Nursery Handicap (Plus 10)

Off time: 18:32 | Winning time: 1m 26.33s

(7)

Bachelor^t¹¹²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: D O'Brien| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 79

11/1

Never really built on a promising second on debut when last seen in the summer. Struggled in handicaps last twice and still looks up against it after a break.

Form: 24567

(13)

War Hero^t,v²⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-6| J: Ronan Whelan| T: P J Prendergast| OR: 78| C

8/1

Off the mark here last time by a short-head over 6f after a good second the time before in a nursery. 8lb higher this time so life gets much tougher stepping back up to 7f.

Form: 458721

(4)

Princess Yaiza²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-4| J: Colin Keane| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 76| CD

2/1

Progressed with each of her three runs so far culminating in a C&D win latest. Steps into first-time handicap with fair mark and with the assistance of the champion jockey she looks a leading contender.

Form: 931

(1)

Natty Dresser⁴⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: P J Smullen| T: S Lavery| OR: 73

7/1

Unplaced in five starts to date although his latest, over C&D in a maiden was probably his best run. Struggled however the time before on handicap debut and only 1lb lower today.

Form: 75504

(3)

Way Back Home^p1⁴⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: K J Manning| T: C Roche| OR: 73

11/1

Latest effort his best, when 2¼L fourth here in a 1m maiden. That gives him an each-way chance if as effective stepped back to 7f in the first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 68034

(10)

Piper Bomb^t⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 8-13| J: Killian Leonard⁽⁵⁾| T: A McGuinness| OR: 71| C

16/1

Ran well in all three starts here and won a 6f handicap last time out. 9lb rise makes life a good bit tougher but she had plenty in hand the last day and is as effective over 7f so not ruled out.

Form: 246341

(11)

Lucky Red^b⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 8-11| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 69

4/1

Best race to date latest when a running on second here in a 1m handicap. With his mark unchanged today he rates a leading player with 7f unlikely to be major inconvenience.

Form: 08752

(8)

Summerseat Mist⁸⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 8-9| J: N G McCullagh| T: M O'Callaghan| OR: 67

25/1

Given time-off since finishing last in a Fairyhouse maiden when last seen. Shown she appreciates this surface in two runs here but handicap mark not the most appealing.

Form: 235500

(2)

Storm Has Broken^b³⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 8-6| J: C P Hoban| T: D Bunyan & G O'Leary| OR: 64| CD

7/1

Left previous form behind when a 14/1 winner here over C&D two starts back. Couldn't repeat that latest back to 6f but return to 7f here gives hope with him only 3lb higher than winning mark.

Form: 00016

(6)

Highly Approved⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 8-4| J: Wayne Lordan| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 62

16/1

Stayed on into sixth beaten 3½L last week behind Piper Bomb here over 6f. 9lb better off with that rival now and extra furlong should suit so reversal very possible.

Form: 00756

(5)

In The Dip⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 8-4| J: D E Sheehy⁽⁵⁾| T: P Martin| OR: 62

66/1

Well beaten in both handicap starts and was 13th of 14 latest behind re-opposing Piper Bomb. Magnitude of her task can't be overstated.

Form: 300000

(9)

Taylor Velvet⁶⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 8-4| J: Rory Cleary| T: T Cleary| OR: 62

66/1

Unplaced in eight starts and fully 13lb out of the handicap today so needs something close to a miracle.

Form: 744588

(12)

Take Action⁴⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 8-4| J: Alan Persse⁽¹⁰⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 62

50/1

Beaten a long way in three maidens to date on the turf. Starts nursery career a stone out of the handicap.

Form: 000

Forecasts

Princess Yaiza (2/1), Lucky Red (4/1), Natty Dresser (7/1), Storm Has Broken (7/1), War Hero (8/1), Way Back Home (11/1), Bachelor (11/1), Highly Approved (16/1), Piper Bomb (16/1), Summerseat Mist (25/1), Take Action (50/1), Taylor Velvet (66/1), In The Dip (66/1)

PRINCESS YALZA steps into a handicap for the first time on the back of a C&D win and her opening mark looks fair particularly given her steady progress to date. There are plenty of dangers however with Lucky Red looking chief among them after a good second here latest off the same mark. Highly Approved is 1lb out of the handicap but was noted running on latest behind Piper Bomb and he could reverse with a hefty weight pull with that rival.