18:45 Dundalk

Friday 6 February 2026

All16:1516:4517:1517:4518:1518:4519:15

Dundalkstadium.com Apprentice Handicap (0-60)

Off time: 18:46 | Winning time: 1m 39.57s

(8)

Beat The Devil^t⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Sam Coen⁽⁴⁾| T: P Magee| OR: 60| BF| CD

15/8

Won emphatically at this C&D by 4 lengths 4 weeks ago. Runner-up of 13 in handicap over 10.7f here (10/3 favourite) a week ago, running up to his best when taking a strong hold before finishing well. Back down to the trip of his win and looks to hold a serious chance.

Form: 333-152

(1)

Punk Poet^t⁵⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Keithen Kennedy| T: E Lynam| OR: 60| CD

25/1

Six-time C&D winner but has gone off the boil since latest success here last September, tenth of 14 in handicap over 11f at this venue (10/1) 58 days ago. Tongue strap back on and returns to this trip. Not handicapped out of this if back on song following a break.

Form: 314900-

(15)

Imperial Fighter^h¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: Wayne Hassett| T: P J McKenna| OR: 59

12/1

Ran better than for a while when second of 13 in handicap at this C&D (12/1) 14 days ago, racing freely and having to pick his way through early in the straight before keeping on, never nearer. One to bear in mind and could go close if settling better.

Form: 5005-52

(4)

Summer Island¹⁵⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: Reese Holohan⁽⁷⁾| T: N Lupini| OR: 59

7/2

Showed promise when third at Ayr last July but has been out of sorts since, faring little better when 12th of 16 in handicap at Gowran Park (18/1) 157 days ago. Makes AW debut after long absence for new trainer and market can guide.

Form: 873500-

(5)

Georg Zhukov^h²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Brandon Wilkie| T: E O'Connell| OR: 58| CD

15/2

Confirmed promise of final start for Noel Meade when successful at this C&D in handicap (7/2) 28 days ago, leading throughout from 14 runners though wandering under pressure before rallying final 100 yards. Up 7lbs for maiden success and needs to pull out a bit more.

Form: 43482-1

(11)

Profit Surge^p1,t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Jack Kearney| T: G Keane| OR: 54

6/1

In good form at Dundalk since joining from John Geoghegan in early December. Third of 13 in handicap at this C&D (11/4) 14 days ago but looked a bit half-hearted under pressure. First-time cheekpieces could make the difference.

Form: 0/6622-3

(13)

Heart Of Darkness¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Gabriella Hill⁽⁷⁾| T: A McGuinness| OR: 53| C

12/1

Second of 14 at this C&D 4 weeks ago, suited by a strong pace, but followed that with a below-par tenth of 13 in handicap at this C&D (4/1) 2 weeks ago. Could bounce back if forecast strong pace materialises.

Form: 9749-20

(14)

Morning Approach²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: Hugh Horgan⁽²⁾| T: W McCreery| OR: 52| CD

50/1

C&D winner here in December 2024 but arrives out of sorts, disappointing twelfth of 14 in handicap at this C&D (18/1) 28 days ago. Dropped 5 lb but plenty to prove.

Form: 28000-0

(6)

River Derwent^v¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: Jimmy Dalton⁽⁷⁾| T: Thomas Coyle| OR: 47| C| D

16/1

Ran one of his better races in some time when fourth of 13 in handicap at this C&D (20/1) 14 days ago but another blown start showed why he isn't one for maximum faith. Slow starts continue to be a major issue and he hasn't won for 15 races.

Form: 06003-4

(2)

Kitty Bear¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Orla Tynan⁽⁷⁾| T: A Slattery| OR: 46| CD

14/1

Built on an encouraging effort here to finally get off the mark when winning 13-runner handicap at this C&D (14/1) a fortnight ago, pulling into prominent position before edging ahead late despite hanging left, ½ length ahead of Imperial Fighter. Up 4 lb and more needed to follow up.

Form: 9770-41

(3)

Desert Of The Sea^p1⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Sadhbh Tormey⁽⁷⁾| T: T G McCourt| OR: 42

12/1

Yet to win from 14 starts with modest form throughout. Second of 14 in 7f handicap at Dundalk (18/1) 9 days ago, beaten 1¾ lengths. Back up to 1m which may suit better and wears cheekpieces for the first time. Can be competitive.

Form: 09084-2

(9)

Bang Po^b⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: Jack Cleary| T: L McAteer| OR: 40| D

100/1

Out of form and hasn't won for over 2 years. Eleventh of 13 in handicap at Dundalk (28/1) a week ago on return from 4-month break, hung left and weakened. Hard to fancy.

Form: 0/8008-0

(12)

Ledger⁹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: Julian Pietropaolo⁽⁴⁾| T: Paul Traynor| OR: 40| D

150/1

Was fair at his best on the Flat but has shown little of late and was last of 15 in maiden hurdle at Down Royal (300/1) 97 days ago. Plenty to prove back on the Flat. RESERVE

Form: 509000-

(10)

Carrickfinn^b,t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: Rory Mulligan⁽⁴⁾| T: Shane Gallagher| OR: 41

28/1

Gelding who has yet to win from 19 starts and offered little when seventh of 14 in handicap at this C&D (22/1) 28 days ago after 12 weeks off. Nothing in recent form to suggest improvement. RESERVE

Form: 20400-7

Non-Runners

(17)

Marbush²⁸

Weight: 9-7| Age: 4

T: D Hogan J: Darragh O'Sullivan

(7)

Sister Lily¹⁴

Weight: 9-6| Age: 5

T: R P Burns J: Nicola Burns

(16)

Battle Borne¹⁴

Weight: 9-11| Age: 4

T: P J McKenna J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Beat The Devil (15/8), Summer Island (7/2), Profit Surge (6/1), Georg Zhukov (15/2), Desert Of The Sea (12/1), Imperial Fighter (12/1), Heart Of Darkness (12/1), Kitty Bear (14/1), River Derwent (16/1), Battle Borne (16/1), Punk Poet (25/1), Marbush (25/1), Carrickfinn (28/1), Morning Approach (50/1), Sister Lily (50/1), Bang Po (100/1), Ledger (150/1)

PROFIT SURGE has been in good form with consecutive runner-up efforts and first-time cheekpieces could make a difference. Beat The Devil won emphatically at this C&D by 4 lengths 4 weeks ago and ran up to his best when runner-up over 11f here a week ago. Back down to the trip of his win, he looks sure to run well again, while Heart of Darkness may bounce back in a strongly-run race.