14:45 Dundalk

Wednesday 12 February 2025

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:40

Dundalk Winter Series Leading Trainer & Jockey Championship Handicap (47-75)

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 3m 35.77s

(5)

Curious Bride^t⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-1| J: K J Leonard| T: E O'Connell| OR: 72| D

14/1

Latest win at Clonmel in September. 22/1, may of needed the run after 3 months off when 10½ lengths ninth of 14 to Inchiquin Maid in handicap at this C&D 54 days ago. However, she looks no more than averagely treated at present.

Form: 413179-

(2)

Inchiquin Maid⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Gary Carroll| T: C Timmons| OR: 67| CD

6/4

First run since leaving David Kenneth Budds when winning 14-runner handicap at this C&D 54 days ago by 5 lengths from Mephisto, looking better the further she went on first crack at the trip. Of interest again for all the handicapper has had his say.

Form: 8/60631-

(3)

Scott Lang^p²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: Nicola Burns⁽⁷⁾| T: P W Flynn| OR: 66

5/2

Boasts just the one win to his name from 22 Flat runs but again ran well when second of 13 in a C&D handicap 26 days ago, collared close home. Nudged up 4 lb on the back of that but he's one to bear in mind nevertheless.

Form: 40042-2

(4)

Lispendense^t⁶⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 9-8| J: Colin Keane| T: Ian Donoghue| OR: 65| D

7/1

Bumper winner earlier in his career and best effort over hurdles when runner-up in handicap at Cork (18.5f) in August. Well held next 2 starts but returns to this sphere for new yard after a break and worth noting if the market spoke in his favour.

Form: 9/70500-

(7)

Mephisto^v²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: James Ryan⁽³⁾| T: G Keane| OR: 60| CD

6/1

C&D winner. Thirteen runs since last win in 2023. 13/2, creditable fourth of 13 in handicap at this C&D 26 days ago. Possibilities again in present groove.

Form: 36682-4

(1)

Figurehead^t³³

Age: 8| Weight: 8-8| J: J Cleary⁽⁵⁾| T: Michael G Cleary| OR: 51

20/1

Long-standing maiden. 28/1, ninth of 11 in handicap at this course (12f) 33 days ago. Significantly back up in trip. Tongue strap back on but others hold much stronger credentials.

Form: 44408-9

(6)

Is She Now^p1¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 8-7| J: D E Sheehy| T: V C Ward| OR: 50

12/1

16/1, bit below form seventh of 13 in handicap at this course (10.7f) 12 days ago. Significantly back up in trip. Cheekpieces on 1st time.

Form: 89637-7

Forecasts

Inchiquin Maid (6/4), Scott Lang (5/2), Mephisto (6/1), Lispendense (7/1), Is She Now (12/1), Curious Bride (14/1), Figurehead (20/1)

SCOTT LANG's strike rate tempers enthusiasm but he ran another solid race returned to this venue when runner-up in a C&D handicap 26 days ago and he could be worth chancing to go one place better. Inchiquin Maid is an obvious threat following her clear-cut C&D victory in December. Mephisto should be thereabouts, too.