18:00 Dundalk

Friday 18 January 2019

All17:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Fastfix Handicap

Off time: 18:01 | Winning time: 2m 16.36s

(6)

Spruce Meadows^p²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: M A Gallagher| T: J Feane| OR: 83| CD

7/1

Four-time course winner who has run just respectably in C&D handicaps on last two starts, but may have needed the run last time, and is taking a drop in class here, so not discounted.

Form: 740476-

(1)

Admodum²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: Alan Persse⁽⁷⁾| T: M Butler| OR: 80| C

50/1

Ran on well to win nicely at Gowran (1m, good to firm) in May for Jim Bolger, but has failed to beat a rival on both starts for current yard, the latest over C&D last month.

Form: 400100-

(4)

Polly Glide⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Luke McAteer⁽⁷⁾| T: L Smyth| OR: 80

20/1

Ran well when fourth over 1m here on penultimate outing, but failed to match that effort last time, and has stamina to prove at this trip.

Form: 710045-

(2)

Ciao^b¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Robbie Colgan| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 78| CD

5/1

Blinkered for first time before running out the cosy winner of a C&D maiden last time out. That was a modest race, though, and she doesn't look well treated for this handicap bow.

Form: 30033-1

(5)

Pivotal Man^t³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Rory Cleary| T: J C McConnell| OR: 75

25/1

Didn't progress from a fair start for Roger Varian, and while he ought to do better than on debut for new yard here, he's another who looks high enough in the weights on what he's achieved.

Form: 5447-

(7)

Alcander^t²⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: K J Manning| T: F J Flood| OR: 69| C

12/1

Off for eight months since a poor run over hurdles, but had been performing consistently here prior to that, and on a fair mark if he's fully revved up for this return.

Form: 012/724-

(11)

Carried^b⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 9-0| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs P Dobbs| OR: 68| CD

10/1

Started 2018 brightly, but lost his form as the season wore on. Has hinted at a revival on last two starts, and now 6lb lower than when winning over C&D in 2017, so not dismissed.

Form: 450840-

(3)

Stronghold^t⁷⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Wayne Lordan| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 68

9/4

Hasn't gone on since a promising debut over this trip at Leopardstown in May, but not helped by racing over much shorter trips on both subsequent starts, and could well do better.

Form: 760-

(10)

Mcguigan^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 8-12| J: Gavin Ryan⁽⁷⁾| T: J S Bolger| OR: 66| CD

9/2

Goes well from the front, and back in the groove of late over C&D, winning last month, and finishing a good second to Ragtime Red last time. Remains well treated on old form.

Form: 98851-2

(8)

Sharjah^b¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 8-11| J: Andrew Slattery⁽⁷⁾| T: A Slattery| OR: 65| CD

10/1

Winner of no less than nine races here, six of them over this trip. Running just respectably of late, but slipping in the weights all the time, and he's beginning to look well treated again.

Form: 55098-5

(9)

Queluz^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: Gary Halpin| T: J Geoghegan| OR: 64| BF| C

10/1

Plenty of good efforts here this winter, but disappointing when favourite for a 1m handicap last time, and needs to bounce back.

Form: 76342-8

Forecasts

Stronghold (9/4), Mcguigan (9/2), Ciao (5/1), Spruce Meadows (7/1), Carried (10/1), Queluz (10/1), Sharjah (10/1), Alcander (12/1), Polly Glide (20/1), Pivotal Man (25/1), Admodum (50/1)

Stronghold will surely improve for the switch to handicaps at a more realistic trip and merits respect, but MCGUIGAN remains on a workable marke after two solid efforts from the front here, and gets the nod. Sharjah is slipping to a good mark, and could improve on recent efforts, as could Spruce Meadows who takes a drop in class.