18:30 Dundalk

Friday 18 September 2026

All17:2518:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Friday Night Lights Are Back At Dundalk Handicap

3YO plus | 7f | 17 Runners | Polytrack

(17)

Faoladh⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Sam Coen⁽⁵⁾| T: A Slattery| OR: 69| D

5/1

Successful at Down Royal in May and back to winning ways in 13-runner handicap at Galway (7f, good) last month, just holding on. Runner-up went in next time but was unable to cash in on just a 1 lb higher mark at Laytown, weakening late. Should be a factor.

Form: 690015

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(12)

Smoke Them Out²²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: James Ryan| T: T G McCourt| OR: 69

12/1

All 3 career victories over 6f, the latest at the Curragh in March. Form has been mixed since, running a moody race at Navan 3 weeks ago.

Form: 020307

(4)

Thaloria¹¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Kian McNally⁽¹⁰⁾| T: N Lupini| OR: 69| CD

9/1

Made a winning handicap debut over C&D in January. Another good effort there when second in 7f claimer in March but unable to continue the good work since on turf. Hopes pinned on return to all-weather.

Form: 102600

(16)

Mehman⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-13| J: Gavin Ryan| T: P J F Murphy| OR: 68| C

10/1

On a long losing run but placed no fewer than 7 times this season. Not so good of late, though, and clearly needs everything to fall right. Headgear removed.

Form: 230057

(2)

Slight Of Foot¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: Reese Holohan⁽⁷⁾| T: R P Cody| OR: 70

6/1

Turned in his best effort of the season in a first-time hood when third of 15 in claimer at Gowran (1m, good to firm, 28/1) last month, never nearer. Backed that up returned to handicap company at Navan and he can be a factor if coping with this return to 7f.

Form: 940938

(3)

Send Harry^h,t⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Jimmy Dalton⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss E McCutcheon| OR: 66| CD

11/2

Won this race a year ago from 1 lb higher. Made the frame in handicap at Leopardstown in June and minor event at Limerick in July and while below that level since, this has likely been the target ahead of all-weather return. Major claims.

Form: 624950

(7)

Battle Borne^p¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Patrick McGettigan⁽⁵⁾| T: P J McKenna| OR: 65| CD

25/1

C&D maiden winner in February who posted easily his best effort since when second in a 1m claimer at same course in May. However, exploits subsequently on turf have been disappointing.

Form: 002080

(5)

In A Hurry²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Robert Whearty| T: K H Clarke| OR: 65| D

40/1

Thirsk maiden winner last summer but 0-8 in handicaps for David O'Meara after. New connections acquired her for 9,000 gns and she didn't show much at Navan,

Form: 9-89260

(1)

Una Matata⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Ronan Whelan| T: A McGuinness| OR: 64| CD

16/1

Bagged 3 C&D wins between January and March. Hasn't been in much form on turf of late but return to this venue could spark a revival.

Form: 635067

(9)

Mickey The Steel^p,t⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: Rory Mulligan⁽⁵⁾| T: Joseph Murray| OR: 61| C

12/1

Winless since 2024 but has been placed 5 times this season, including at Leopardstown (7f) in June. Backward step at Galway and this his first all-weather start since 2023.

Form: 203736

(6)

The Bear Trap^v⁵⁰¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Adam Caffrey| T: A McGuinness| OR: 61| CD

11/2

Finally off the mark over C&D in December 2024. Good fifth of 13 in handicap at Leopardstown on return the following April but below form a month later. Untrustworthy at best of times and has a long absence to overcome but potentially interesting starting out for shrewd new yard.

Form: 0071/50-

(10)

Little Wing⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Declan McDonogh| T: C O'Brien| OR: 63

25/1

No impact in a trio of maidens and failed to improve for switch to handicaps last month.

Form: 9900

(11)

Zheleznaya Dama²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Rory Cleary| T: B W Duke| OR: 63| D

14/1

Career best when winning 16-runner handicap at Naas (7f, good) last month but pestered for the lead and was brushed aside at Leopardstown.

Form: 3-P5210

(15)

Kc Bear²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Billy Lee| T: N Meade| OR: 62| C

3/1

Progressed again when getting off the mark in 6f handicap here in December. Good in-frame efforts on first 3 outings this year but unable to continue the good work the last twice. Too free fitted with cheekpieces over 1m latest so return to 7f could be a plus.

Form: 1-24287

(8)

Free Solo^p,t²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: Reserve 1| T: P J F Murphy| OR: 61| CD

11/2

Quiet start to 2026 but turned in best effort of the season when second of 14 at Leopardstown 4 weeks ago. Eased 2 lb switched to the all-weather. RESERVE.

Form: 706592

(13)

Prince Andorra¹²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Reserve 2| T: C O'Connell| OR: 61

16/1

Minor promise only so far so much more needed now handicapping. RESERVE.

Form: 756

(14)

My Shayla^t¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-13| J: Reserve 3| T: D Marnane| OR: 71

13/2

Much improved from debut when going down on the nod in 1m Leopardstown maiden last month. One-paced sixth at Navan 2 weeks ago and now goes handicapping. RESERVE.

Form: 626

Forecasts

Faoladh (3/1), Free Solo (4/1), My Shayla (4/1), Zheleznaya Dama (6/1), Slight Of Foot (6/1), Kc Bear (7/1), Mehman (7/1), Mickey The Steel (7/1), Send Harry (8/1), Una Matata (14/1), Smoke Them Out (14/1), The Bear Trap (16/1), In A Hurry (16/1), Prince Andorra (20/1), Thaloria (20/1), Battle Borne (50/1), Little Wing (50/1)

SEND HARRY won this race from a 1 lb higher mark a year ago and has presumably had this race in mind for a while. He could be the answer to what is a competitive affair. Faoladh looks a solid rival, while The Bear Trap demands a market check returning for a new stable.