19:30 Dundalk

Friday 10 February 2023

All15:5516:2517:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:30

View Restaurant At Dundalk Stadium Handicap

Off time: 19:30 | Winning time: 1m 39.78s

(12)

Ampeson^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: Jack Kearney⁽⁷⁾| T: P J McKenna| OR: 86| C

13/2

Course winner. Three wins from 22 runs last year. Respectable fifth of 11 in handicap at this course (6f, 9/2) 21 days ago. Significantly back up in trip. Expected to go well.

Form: 42416-5

(8)

Shanghai Dragon^b1¹¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Shane Kelly| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 85| D

22/1

Latest win at Leopardstown in August but only eleventh of 14 returned to 1m there on final outing. Off 111 days. Makes polytrack debut in first-time blinkers.

Form: 401100-

(7)

Desert Wind^t⁹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-11| J: Nathan Crosse| T: L Comer| OR: 82

16/1

Eleven runs since last win in 2019 and only seventh of 14 in handicap at this C&D last time. Has work to do.

Form: 0/82007-

(11)

Higher Kingdom¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Mr C McConnell⁽⁷⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 81| CD

10/3

Proved better than ever when winning 12-runner handicap at this course (10.7f) 14 days ago. Nudged up 5 lb but ought to remain competitive back down in trip despite his quirks.

Form: 0901-81

(6)

Hale Bopp²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Robbie Colgan| T: R Donohoe| OR: 79| CD

66/1

C&D winner in November but well below form last 2 starts.

Form: 08917-0

(1)

Jaafel^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: J M Sheridan⁽³⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 79| CD

4/1

Landed back-to-back C&D handicaps in late 2022 but found his good run of form coming to a halt last time. Bounce back called for.

Form: 6211-36

(2)

Elephant John^p1⁷⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Billy Lee| T: J McAuley| OR: 76

50/1

Lightly-raced winner who ran no sort of race on first run since leaving Barry Fitzgerald when 20¼ lengths twelfth of 14 to Hale Bopp in claimer at this C&D 79 days ago. Cheekpieces on 1st time. Others more persuasive.

Form: 26100-

(9)

Insomnia^v1³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Ronan Whelan| T: J McAuley| OR: 73

40/1

Last of 14 in handicap at this course (7f, 40/1) 37 days ago. Visored for 1st time.

Form: 93/239-0

(10)

Mulgrave^h,t⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Donagh O'Connor| T: J C McConnell| OR: 73| CD

5/2

Ended a long losing run with victory in 14-runner handicap at this C&D last week, well on top finish. Should remain competitive.

Form: 9004-21

(3)

Qasbaz^p⁵⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: J McAuley| OR: 73| BF| D

40/1

11/4, respectable third of 7 in handicap at Newbury (7f, good to firm). Off 19 months. First run for yard after leaving Mark Loughnane and fitness has to be taken on trust.

Form: 056213/

(5)

Ghumama^p,t⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Chris Hayes| T: J McAuley| OR: 68| C

7/1

Eleven runs since last win in 2022 but again ran well when 1¾ lengths third of 14 to Mulgrave in handicap at this C&D 7 days ago, running on. Not taken lightly.

Form: 535-223

(4)

Boadicea Belle^h1¹²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Declan McDonogh| T: M J Smith| OR: 67

22/1

Career best when winning 10-runner handicap (40/1) at Chelmsford City (7f). Off 127 days. First run for yard after leaving Henry Spiller. Hood on for 1st time.

Form: 174361-

Forecasts

Mulgrave (5/2), Higher Kingdom (10/3), Jaafel (4/1), Ampeson (13/2), Ghumama (7/1), Desert Wind (16/1), Shanghai Dragon (22/1), Boadicea Belle (22/1), Insomnia (40/1), Qasbaz (40/1), Elephant John (50/1), Hale Bopp (66/1)

AMPESON is a consistent sort who looks sure to go well again back up in trip, so he appeals as the most solid option. Mulgrave and Ghumama head the dangers.