21:00 Dundalk

Friday 2 November 2018

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

Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Stadium Handicap

Off time: 21:00 | Winning time: 2m 32.28s

(1)

Carbon Dating⁷⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: Rory Cleary| T: R J Osborne| OR: 90| D

20/1

Had a spell in the UAE earlier in the year and has been well beaten in a number of below-par starts since. Plenty to prove at present.

Form: 606670

(7)

Kerosin¹³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: D G Hogan| T: D Hogan| OR: 90

7/1

Never made the racecourse for Saeed Bin Suroor but generally ran well in defeat on the Flat for trainer James McAuley. Chances based on a start here in May when second of five to Light Pillar.

Form: 332652

(10)

Tooreen Legend¹¹⁰⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-11| J: Andrew Slattery⁽⁷⁾| T: E J O'Grady| OR: 89| CD

14/1

Winner of three of his eight visits to the venue including a C&D success when last seen over three years ago. Fitness can only be taken on trust.

Form: 801021/

(11)

St Lawrence Gap^b1²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Ross Coakley⁽³⁾| T: E Doyle| OR: 83

10/1

Useful 124-rated handicap hurdler who is without a win in five AW appearances when racing in Britain. Market likely to be informative.

Form: 93-1865

(2)

Commander Won^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Shane Foley| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 81| CD

2/1

Winner over C&D on no less than four occasions and has been in solid form at the venue since September. Likely to run well once again.

Form: 300212

(3)

Near Kettering^e/s1,t¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 81

11/2

Not far behind Nimitz and Commander Won in a battle royale over C&D in September. Likable type and should be in the mix again. Worth a market check in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 336370

(8)

New Direction¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 79| CD

9/2

Winner of two of his seven races here including a win over C&D two years ago off a 20lb lower mark. Front runner who could dictate in the early stages.

Form: 203252

(6)

Tirmizi^h,t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Colin Keane| T: M Halford| OR: 79

6/1

Winner on a couple of occasions for Dermot Weld but yet to fire for current connections. Last of six over C&D last month though only 3¼L behind the winner. No surprise to see a big run.

Form: 506706

(9)

Every Chance^t³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: O J Orr⁽³⁾| T: N C Kelly| OR: 77| D

20/1

Beaten over 10L on his only visit here in March. Hurdling since without success and needs to rediscover his form when in the hands of trainer Jamie Osbourne.

Form: 324-215

(4)

Isharah^t⁸⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: T P Madden⁽³⁾| T: N C Kelly| OR: 76| D

25/1

Landed an AW hat-trick for Mark Johnston 18 months ago, but winless since in 11 starts on the Flat. Hard to place any faith in.

Form: 8047-66

(5)

Effernock Fizz²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: A J Farragher⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss K Brown| OR: 73

40/1

Well held in three starts here including a 7¾L defeat over C&D on Wednesday. Hard to fancy on latest evidence.

Form: 04094

Forecasts

Commander Won (2/1), New Direction (9/2), Near Kettering (11/2), Tirmizi (6/1), Kerosin (7/1), St Lawrence Gap (10/1), Tooreen Legend (14/1), Carbon Dating (20/1), Every Chance (20/1), Isharah (25/1), Effernock Fizz (40/1)

If Kerosin and New Direction take each other on for the lead in the early stages of the contest, they could set the race nicely up for the solid and ultra-consistent COMMANDER WON to make late gains at the business end of proceedings. The Mick Halford-trained Tirmizi, not beaten far here on his latest start and C&D third in September, Near Kettering are capable of hitting the frame in this closing contest.