18:45 Dundalk

Friday 24 September 2021

All16:4517:1517:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:15

Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Diamond Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 18:46 | Winning time: 2m 13.60s

(8)

Dubai Warrior²⁰²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Chris Hayes| T: D Loughnane| OR: 114

9/2

Smart gelding. 17/2, well held fifth of 7 to Walton Street in Meydan Group 2 (12f, turf) in March. Return to all-weather rates a plus on return/yard debut and sound claims if bouncing back.

Form: 1513-85

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(5)

He Knows No Fear³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Billy Lee| T: L Comer| OR: 86

80/1

Fairly useful colt. Latest win at Leopardstown in June. 11¾ lengths last of 11 to Visualisation in listed race at Listowel (9f, good to soft, 25/1) 3 days ago. May again find a few too good here.

Form: 167780

(4)

Tartlette⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: N G McCullagh| T: S Crawley| OR: 96| CD

20/1

Useful mare. 4-time C&D winner. 9/1, 7 lengths ninth of 12 to Ides of August in handicap at this C&D 40 days ago, merely plugging on. Needs to step up on recent efforts to figure.

Form: 154499

(1)

Bear Story¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Ronan Whelan| T: M Halford| OR: 99| C

10/3

Useful colt. Better than bare result when fifteenth of 23 in handicap at the Curragh (10f, good, 11/1) 12 days ago, late headway having twice met trouble. Progress not ruled out back on AW.

Form: 223260

(2)

Charterhouse^b³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Robbie Colgan| T: J J Murphy| OR: 102

12/1

Blinkered for 1st time, creditable 2¾ lengths third of 11 to Horoscope in listed race at Killarney (8.1f, good, 8/1) 36 days ago, nearest finish. Significantly up in trip.

Form: 818963

(10)

Ides Of August⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 100| CD

9/2

Useful gelding. Career best when winning 12-runner handicap (14/1) at this C&D 40 days ago, keeping on well. Yard having good spell and that may not prove his limit on AW.

Form: 635521

(9)

Khartoum¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 107

15/2

Smart colt. 33/1 and tongue strap on for 1st time, good 2¼ lengths eighth of 14 to Real Appeal in Boomerang Stakes at Leopardstown (8f, good) 13 days ago, suited by strong pace. Not discounted.

Form: 102668

(3)

Lough Derg¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 101| C

11/2

Useful colt. Course winner. Creditable eleventh of 23 in handicap at the Curragh (10f, good, 11/1) 12 days ago. Return to all-weather may bring about a little progress.

Form: 428680

(7)

River Eden^t⁷⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J P O'Brien| C

5/1

Highly promising type. 9/4 and tongue strap on, won 12-runner maiden at this course (8f) on debut 74 days ago, storming clear. Significantly up in trip. Open to significant progress.

Form: 1

(6)

Ulster Blackwater^h1⁵³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: S M Crosse| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 82

100/1

Lightly-raced winner. Career best when winning 9-runner maiden at Naas (8f, good to soft, 5/2) 53 days ago, well positioned. Makes polytrack debut. Hooded for 1st time but more to do here.

Form: 5421

Forecasts

Bear Story (10/3), Ides Of August (9/2), Dubai Warrior (9/2), River Eden (5/1), Lough Derg (11/2), Khartoum (15/2), Charterhouse (12/1), Tartlette (20/1), He Knows No Fear (80/1), Ulster Blackwater (100/1)

A leap of faith is required in supporting DUBAI WARRIOR given he was well below his best at Meydan earlier this year. However, in mitigation, the latter of his below-par displays was on turf and, with a sound record on artifical surfaces to call upon, he may well be up to bouncing back starting out for his new yard. Ides of August, low-mileage River Eden and Khartoum head up the dangers.