20:00 Dundalk

Friday 22 February 2019

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

Kentucky Derby Qualifier At Dundalk March 1st Apprentice Handicap (45-65)

Off time: 20:01 | Winning time: 2m 34.84s

(8)

Dream Focus²⁰⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Luke McAteer⁽⁴⁾| T: J S Bolger| OR: 65

5/2

Interesting stepping up in trip here for a yard who boast a 69% win and place strike rate at this venue in February since 2016 with the stable three from eight here in the last 30 days. Fancied to go well.

Form: 52520-

(7)

Don Pedro⁵⁶¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: A M Glynn⁽⁷⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 64

33/1

Third of 11 beaten 2¼L on sole start here over 18 months ago. Not seen since August 2017 when in the care of trainer Mick Halford and others preferred on return to action.

Form: 0377/

(14)

Poitin⁷⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 9-12| J: Ross Coakley| T: K H Clarke| OR: 63| CD

16/1

Mare that has won three of her 17 starts over C&D and was beaten 4L over the combination when last seen here in December. On a long losing at the moment and needs to bounce back in a big way to have a say here.

Form: 009077-

(13)

Cape Agulhas³⁷¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: W T Byrne⁽⁴⁾| T: A Mullins| OR: 62

25/1

Four race maiden well held on each occasion at this track over a variety of trips. Not seen for over 12 months and others look more convincing at this level.

Form: 97/56-

(4)

Chaparral Dream¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: T P Madden| T: A McGuinness| OR: 63| CD

11/8

In form C&D winner earlier this month off a 9lb lower mark representing a yard usually in form in February and hold a 35% win and place strike rate here in the last 30 days. Likable type who should be in the mix.

Form: 4576-41

(2)

Sharjah^b¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-10| J: Andrew Slattery⁽⁴⁾| T: A Slattery| OR: 61| CD

13/2

Winner of three of his 31 starts over C&D but has appeared to be struggling in some of his most recent engagements including a 9L defeat earlier this month. Place claims from a dangerous mark.

Form: 098-594

(5)

Messerati Kid^t1⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: G C O'Neill| T: P W Flynn| OR: 56

20/1

Suffered a couple of heavy reversals on the Flat before the end of the year before a heavy defeat over hurdles at Punchestown. First time tongue-tie unlikely to bring about the required amount of progression needed to land a blow here.

Form: 094/500-

(3)

Ringo Kid^t⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Killian Leonard| T: Mrs O Byrne| OR: 53

12/1

Went off too quickly on return to the track here finishing fifth of 12 beaten over 8L earlier this month following a spell in the point-to-point ranks. Hard to make a case for him with form to hand.

Form: 37720/5

(12)

Caronda¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Emma Louise Doyle⁽⁷⁾| T: T Doyle| OR: 54

16/1

Running well in defeat over C&D before blotting his copybook somewhat over the same combination earlier this month when finishing eighth of 13 beaten over 16L possibly losing the race at the start. Can be forgiven last run and could go well.

Form: 087-38

(11)

Paula's Prayer¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: D W O'Connor| T: C O'Dwyer| OR: 52

66/1

Four race maiden on the Flat and was pushed along 4f out before being eased in the final furlong on handicap debut over C&D earlier this month. Plenty to find on recent offerings.

Form: 086-0

(9)

Reddot Dancer^b¹²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Ben Coen| T: L Young| OR: 48| CD

40/1

One from three over C&D, the coming when in the care of trainer Mick Halford two seasons ago. Well held and out of form over hurdles in October last year. Is hard to enthuse over in this company.

Form: 1360/00-

(10)

Rockafilly^b1²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: Nathan Crosse⁽⁴⁾| T: J Nash| OR: 45

50/1

Out of form well beaten 80L at Southwell on latest start last month. First time blinkers unlikely to bring about the required amount of improvement needed to play a role here.

Form: 900/00-0

(6)

Roses Queen⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: C G O'Dwyer⁽⁷⁾| T: C O'Dwyer| OR: 45

25/1

Switched between Paddy Prendergast and present trainer a few times without success. Well held 10th of 12 beaten 13L here last week and looks up against once again.

Form: 55770-0

Non-Runners

(1)

Indian Eye²⁴⁵

Weight: 8-6| Age: 4

T: J P Fahey J: Alan Persse

Getaway Queen⁶³

Weight: 8-8| Age: 5

T: D Budds J: Reserve 1

Forecasts

Chaparral Dream (11/8), Dream Focus (5/2), Sharjah (13/2), Ringo Kid (12/1), Indian Eye (12/1), Caronda (16/1), Poitin (16/1), Messerati Kid (20/1), Cape Agulhas (25/1), Roses Queen (25/1), Don Pedro (33/1), Reddot Dancer (40/1), Rockafilly (50/1), Paula's Prayer (66/1)

The in form CHAPARRAL DREAM should be able to handle the burden of a 9lb rise following a facile win here over C&D two weeks ago. The Adrian McGuinness-trained four-year-old can continue the fine run of the yard and land the prize here seeing off the attentions of his biggest dangers, the Jim Bolger-trained Dream Focus, C&D winner Sharjah and Caronda who could go well at a price.