20:30 Dundalk

Friday 21 February 2020

All16:5517:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Floodlit Fridays Continue At Dundalk Stadium Handicap

Off time: 20:31 | Winning time: 1m 13.20s

(9)

Hathiq^t¹⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Billy Lee| T: D Hogan| OR: 94| D

16/1

Winner of four of his 12 career starts including three victories last term. Worth a check in the market on first start since September.

Form: 100108-

(3)

Sceptical^t⁹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Colin Keane| T: D Hogan| OR: 90| CD

4/1

Exceed And Excel gelding. Off the mark at the second time of asking landing a 6f maiden when last seen in November. Another bold show likely on handicap debut.

Form: 31-

(5)

War Hero^t,v²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Declan McDonogh| T: A McGuinness| OR: 83| CD

7/4

Four-time winner at this venue and off the mark over C&D at the fourth attempt landing a 9K handicap off a 4lb lower mark last month. Likely to be on the premises once again.

Form: 22230-1

(10)

Nevereversaynever¹⁷³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Chris Hayes| T: J A Stack| OR: 81| C

12/1

Winner on debut at this track in November 2018 over 5f. Lightly raced since and not seen since September. Best avoided on return to action unless market vibes suggest otherwise.

Form: 1/00-

(1)

She's A Babe^p1²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Nathan Crosse⁽⁵⁾| T: A Fogarty| OR: 81| C

6/1

Winner of one of her eight starts on an AW surface. Third of 10 at this track over 7f last month. Could appreciate first time cheekpieces.

Form: 10649-3

(8)

Aloysius Lilius^p⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: N G McCullagh| T: G O'Leary| OR: 80| D

5/1

In great form currently running well since November at a variety of AW tracks in the UK. Landed a 14 runner handicap over 5f at Newcastle earlier this month and looks a progressive type.

Form: 02721-1

(6)

Tanseeq¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: K J Manning| T: J C McConnell| OR: 80

28/1

In the frame in four of his five starts for trainer Willie Haggas including victories on the AW at Kempton and Newcastle. May have needed the run on stable debut over 1m at this track earlier this month.

Form: 23141/6

(4)

Amanaat¹²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: Rory Cleary| T: D English| OR: 79| C

12/1

Winner of two of his 10 starts at this venue but is yet to hit the frame in four starts over C&D. Refused to race when last seen in October and best watched on stable debut.

Form: 74290R-

(2)

Empire State^t1²³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: E Greatrex| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 77| C

10/1

Lightly raced in the last 12 months. Winner at this track in April landing a 5f eight runner maiden when in the hands of trainer Aiden O'Brien. Lively contender on stable debut.

Form: 23/4136-

(7)

Togoville^b²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 8-11| J: D E Sheehy⁽⁵⁾| T: A McCann| OR: 77| CD

12/1

Solid and consistent veteran round here winning 11 times including five victories over C&D. Running well in defeat in three starts last month and can give a good account without posing serious threat to principals.

Form: 121-005

Forecasts

War Hero (7/4), Sceptical (4/1), Aloysius Lilius (5/1), She's A Babe (6/1), Empire State (10/1), Togoville (12/1), Nevereversaynever (12/1), Amanaat (12/1), Hathiq (16/1), Tanseeq (28/1)

The Ado McGuinness-trained WAR HERO can add to his C&D win last month in this contest. The five-year-old carries 4lb more here but can get the better of his rivals with jockey Declan McDonagh boasting a record of a win and a second on the Declaration Of War gelding. The Denis Hogan-trained Sceptical appears to be the biggest danger with Empire State and Aloysius Lilius next best.