Gateway Hotel Dundalk Race & Stay Race

Off time: 17:30 | Winning time: 59.60s

(5)

Arnhem²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: Gavin Ryan| T: M G Quinn| OR: 82| C

28/1

Fairly useful gelding. Course winner. Latest win at the Curragh in August but finished a long way behind Big Gossey in big-field handicap at the Curragh (6f, good to soft) 26 days ago. Faces an uphill task.

Form: 2-30130

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(1)

Big Gossey¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: Robert Whearty⁽⁵⁾| T: C O'Brien| OR: 109| CD

11/4

Smart gelding. C&D winner. Landed a big-field sprint handicap at the Curragh in September and showed even better form in defeat when second of 9 in Renaissance Stakes at the Curragh (6f, heavy) 12 days ago, sticking to task. Obvious player.

Form: 496312

(2)

Harry's Bar^p,t⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: C J MacRedmond⁽⁵⁾| T: A McGuinness| OR: 101| CD

10/1

Smart gelding. 3-time C&D winner. Fourteen wins from 48 Flat runs but was a fair way below his best when 9¼ lengths tenth of 13 to Hispanic in handicap at this course (6f) 52 days ago. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 355530

(6)

Hispanic^b²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 94| C| D

9/2

Useful colt. Latest win here in August. Faced a stiff task when well held in Prix du Petit Couvert at Longchamp (5f, good to firm, 11/1) 26 days ago. Return to all-weather looks a good move.

Form: 800017

(3)

The Highway Rat¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Billy Lee| T: A Oliver| OR: 102| CD

11/10

Smart gelding. 4-time C&D winner. Six wins from 17 Flat runs. Creditable third of 16 in handicap (6/1) at the Curragh (5f, soft) 13 days ago, running on. Leading chance on these terms.

Form: 15-2153

(4)

Lady Tilbury⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Luke McAteer| T: D Marnane| OR: 94| D

16/1

Useful filly. Latest win at Tipperary in August but soundly held back up in grade in Ballyogan Stakes at Naas (5.9f, good, 14/1) 40 days ago.

Form: 351717

Forecasts

The Highway Rat (11/10), Big Gossey (11/4), Hispanic (9/2), Harry's Bar (10/1), Lady Tilbury (16/1), Arnhem (28/1)

THE HIGHWAY RAT finished a few places behind Big Gossey in a big-field handicap at the Curragh last month, but he didn't help himself with a tardy start that day and, with his all-weather record very difficult to crab, he's fancied to gain revenge on his old rival and land this race for a second year running. Hispanic has a bit to find but he impressed on his first try on an artificial surface here in August and shouldn't be taken lightly.