19:30 Dundalk

Friday 18 September 2026

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

Start Your Racing TV Free Trial Now Apprentice Handicap

4YO plus | 1m 4f | 11 Runners | Polytrack

(8)

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Darragh O'Sullivan⁽⁴⁾| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 80| C

Gained a third win of 2026 at Naas early last month. Ran too badly to be true in the midst of an excellent season there (11f, good to firm) since but can bounce back quickly (successful only previous all-weather start here back in January).

Form: 187518

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(7)

Kilcrea Rock^t,v1⁵⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Shay Wallace⁽⁷⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 80| C

Largely consistent sort who finally got off the mark in 12-runner course maiden in May. Only sixth of 8 in handicap at Leopardstown (9f, good to firm) 8 weeks ago and hopes pinned on a step up in trip/first-time visor doing the trick.

Form: 43-2516

(10)

Nakasero^t⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Adam Grant⁽⁷⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 77| C

Had eased in the weights and having attracted support, bounced back to best when head second of 11 to Diamond Exchange at Naas (11f, good) early last month. Of obvious interest again from the same mark.

Form: 7-28892

(2)

Merlin The Wizard¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Julian Pietropaolo⁽²⁾| T: R P Cody| OR: 74| D

Capitalised on a drop in grade when ending long losing run in a Limerick claimer in June before following up back in a handicap at Ballinrobe (1¼m) later that month. Unable to continue the good work since but his current mark reflects that. Cheekpieces worn last time discarded.

Form: 119656

(4)

Pavilion End²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Sam Coen| T: C O'Brien| OR: 74| CD

Has only a C&D maiden success to his name but arrives in top form, third of 11 at Leopardstown (13f, good) most recently. Surely capable of defying a mark in the mid-70s so one to take seriously.

Form: 900233

(1)

Daonethatgotaway^p,t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Reese Holohan⁽²⁾| T: M Fahey| OR: 73| CD

Ran well here last winter, scoring over C&D in February. Hasn't been in same form back on turf since but could fare better returned to this track.

Form: 207905

(9)

Trishuli River^p,t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: J Cleary| T: S Crawley| OR: 73| CD

Four-time course winner who was in good form here last winter. Hasn't looked close to capitalising on lower turf mark in recent starts, though. Better showing anticipated back on synthetics.

Form: 230080

(3)

Wandering Rocks^b,t¹¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Jamie Orr⁽⁷⁾| T: W Durkan| OR: 73

Placed here back in the spring but last seen pulled up in handicap hurdle at Ballinrobe 4 months ago. Handicapper given him a squeak but others more appealing on balance.

Form: 5/47538

(5)

Celtic Druid²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Sadhbh Tormey⁽⁷⁾| T: T G McCourt| OR: 69| CD

Scored twice over C&D on first 2 starts this season. Has continued in good heart since, seventh of 11 at Leopardstown (13f, good) last month. Respected back here.

Form: 147327

(6)

Direct Approach²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Conor Cusack⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 69

Promise on final outing for Donnacha O'Brien 12 months ago but only bits and pieces of promise from his hurdling exploits this summer. Makes Flat handicap debut but increasingly looks one to avoid.

Form: 792-

(11)

Cozone^t¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-1| J: Jimmy Dalton⁽⁷⁾| T: M J Smith| OR: 67| C

Fair hurdler who won at Downpatrick in June. Shaped as if needing the run back there last month and made little impact ridden in customary fashion when eighth of 13 at Down Royal (18.6f, good) a fortnight ago. Drops back in trip.

Form: 00086/8

Forecasts

Nakasero (3/1), Pavilion End (9/2), Diamond Exchange (11/2), Direct Approach (6/1), Kilcrea Rock (13/2), Merlin The Wizard (15/2), Celtic Druid (12/1), Daonethatgotaway (14/1), Wandering Rocks (20/1), Trishuli River (20/1), Cozone (33/1)

PAVILION END hasn't won since scoring on Flat debut over C&D back in January 2025 but Charles O'Brien's 6-y-o has been knocking on the door in recent weeks so gets the nod to double his tally. Nakasero bounced back to his best when finding only Diamond Exchange too strong at Naas last month and that pair can chase home the selection in that order.