20:00 Dundalk

Friday 19 December 2025

All16:3017:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:00

BAR 1 Betting Merry Christmas Handicap

Off time: 20:43 | Winning time: 2m 22.74s

(3)

Final Voyage¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: Yudish Geerdharry⁽⁷⁾| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 94| C

11/1

Better on AW again finding only one too good over 1m here two runs back, but disappointed when 5th of 8 over that C&D 14 days ago. Now back up in trip with cheekpieces removed in quest to snap 21-race losing sequence.

Form: 526025

(11)

Take Heart^p⁶⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Jack Kearney⁽³⁾| T: Stephen Thorne| OR: 88| C| D

11/4

Won at Goodwood last year but struggled this season. Placed 7th at York (16/1) 69 days ago with headgear, showing improvement but lacked late speed. Now looks well weighted starting out for a new yard back on the AW.

Form: 966007

(1)

Genoah^t¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Leigh Roche| T: M O'Callaghan| OR: 85| CD

6/1

Two-time C&D winner who showed promise when fourth of 12 in handicap here (28/1) 16 days ago, running on well after racing off the pace.

Form: 1-19004

(8)

Loyal Touch^p⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Shane Foley| T: D Hogan| OR: 85

20/1

Fairly useful performer who hasn't won for well over a year, finished seventh of 13 in a claimer at this course (10/1) 9 days ago, fading in the closing stages after chasing leaders. Cheekpieces back on, tongue strap removed.

Form: 1764-57

(9)

Old Peculier^b¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Reese Holohan⁽¹⁰⁾| T: M Fahey| OR: 85| CD

6/1

Completed a course hat-trick in January 2024. Finished fifth of 7 in handicap at Dundalk over 12f (18/1) 14 days ago on return from 20 months off. This will reveal more.

Form: 1/1124-5

(7)

Quatre Bras¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Chris Hayes| T: R O'Brien| OR: 85| BF| CD

5/1

Fine recent AW form with two wins and two seconds from last four runs. Second of 7 in handicap at Dundalk over 12f (5/2) 14 days ago, raced off the pace and left with too much to do. Remains in top form.

Form: 001212

(5)

Nakasero^t¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Conor Cusack⁽⁷⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 80| C

4/1

Won at Leopardstown (9f) in August and just about better than ever when second of 12 in handicap at same C&D, showing improved form after break, narrowly missing win. Competitive with more trip options on this surface.

Form: 550102

(6)

Beauparc¹¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Rory Cleary| T: G Keane| OR: 77| C

14/1

Won at Gowran Park in June but form has tailed off, finishing eighth of 9 in handicap at Curragh (8/1) 118 days ago, having possibly gone off the boil. Has a course win and needs to recapture earlier form.

Form: 101758

(10)

Money Dancer⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Wayne Hassett⁽³⁾| T: N Meade| OR: 77| BF

25/1

Won a maiden hurdle at Galway in September before finishing fifth of 7 in a novice hurdle at Wexford (4/1) 53 days ago. Returns to the Flat and tries the all-weather for the first time with hood removed.

Form: 00-2848

(12)

Pepper Noir¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Julian Pietropaolo⁽⁷⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 76| C

40/1

Fairly useful handicapper with 3 course wins who ran well when second at Leopardstown over 10f in May. Finished 10th of 12 in handicap over 10.7f at this course (16/1) 16 days ago. Should be sharper now and has good course form so expected to run closer to form here.

Form: 1-66290

(4)

Dahab³⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Killian Leonard| T: N C Kelly| OR: 73| BF

16/1

Placed second twice in maidens at Dundalk last winter before finishing fifth of 12 in a maiden over 10.7f (5/4 favourite) 343 days ago, making no impression. Making handicap debut and first run for new trainer.

Form: 34722-5

Non-Runners

(2)

Tyson Fury¹⁴

Weight: 10-0| Age: 8

T: D Hogan J: Nicola Burns

Forecasts

Take Heart (11/4), Nakasero (4/1), Tyson Fury (4/1), Quatre Bras (5/1), Genoah (6/1), Old Peculier (6/1), Final Voyage (11/1), Beauparc (14/1), Dahab (16/1), Loyal Touch (20/1), Money Dancer (25/1), Pepper Noir (40/1)

TAKE HEART struggled earlier this season but shows signs of revival since headgear was fitted and this previous course winner has a handy mark to exploit back in Ireland for his new yard. Nakasero has built a good AW record and narrowly missed out over C&D recently, while Quatre Bras remains in fine form with impressive recent results including a C&D win a month ago.