17:00 Dundalk

Friday 25 January 2019

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

Irishinjuredjockeys.com Rated Race

Off time: 17:01 | Winning time: 2m 36.07s

(7)

Fern Owl^p¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: A C Persse⁽⁷⁾| T: E Doyle| OR: 78| D

50/1

Out of form over hurdles recently and finished last of eight over 2m here earlier this month. Hard to construct much of a case for.

Form: 5113/0-8

(9)

Political Policy^p,t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-11| J: D W O'Connor⁽⁵⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 77| CD

6/1

Fourth of eight over 2m here earlier this month and worthy of consideration given the yard have a 36% win and place strike rate at this venue in the last three years throughout January.

Form: 30220-4

(4)

Itsalonglongroad^h,t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: S Foley| T: J C McConnell| OR: 70

10/1

Placed on a couple of occasions over C&D but appeared to struggle earlier this month when finishing down the field. Needs to improve to play a role.

Form: 38082-9

(1)

Lady De Vesci^h1²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Ronan Whelan| T: M Halford| OR: 70| CD

7/2

One from four over C&D with latest win coming last month off a 5lb lower mark. No impression earlier this month but could easily bounce back here.

Form: 12131-4

(8)

California Lad^t,v³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: R Coakley⁽³⁾| T: F Birrane| OR: 69| C

16/1

Without a win in four starts over C&D and is 13 starts without troubling the judge. Has a bit to prove at present.

Form: 009260-

(2)

Machiavelli²¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: A M Glynn⁽¹⁰⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 72| BF

16/1

75-rated handicapper for trainer Johnny Murtagh. One to note in the betting on AW and stable debut.

Form: 4/34422-

(10)

Trump Card^t³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: T P Madden⁽³⁾| T: C O'Dwyer| OR: 67| CD

12/1

C&D winner in May 2017 off a 19lb lower mark. Sixth of 14 well beaten here last month over 2m but needs to improve and unlikely to play a part in the finish.

Form: 845616-

(3)

Iron Blue¹⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: C P Hoban| T: M Fahey| OR: 69

50/1

Not been able to compete since harshly raised 12lb for Gowran win back in June for trainer Kevin Prendergast. Eighth of nine on sole visit here in March and may struggle once again.

Form: 816560-

(5)

Stronghold^t⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: J A Heffernan| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 69| BF

1/1

Hasn't gone on since a promising debut over this trip at Leopardstown in May. Second of 11 here earlier this month and worthy of consideration stepping up in distance.

Form: 760-2

Non-Runners

(6)

Bibliotheca⁶³

Weight: 9-2| Age: 6

T: W P Browne J: Ben Coen

Forecasts

Stronghold (1/1), Lady De Vesci (7/2), Political Policy (6/1), Bibliotheca (7/1), Itsalonglongroad (10/1), Trump Card (12/1), California Lad (16/1), Machiavelli (16/1), Iron Blue (50/1), Fern Owl (50/1)

The Joseph O'Brien-trained Stronghold is worthy of consideration in the opener, but the contest could go to POLITICAL POLICY who is a C&D winner and the yard has a 36% win and place strike rate at this venue in the last three years throughout January. Another C\&D winner, Lady De Vesci and Machiavelli look capable of hitting the frame.