18:00 Dundalk

Friday 25 September 2026

All17:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

View Restaurant At Dundalk Stadium Apprentice Handicap

3YO plus | 6f | Standard | 13 Runners | Polytrack

(4)

Initial Blue¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: Jack Kearney| T: J Davison| OR: 74| D

6/1

Successful 3 times on the all-weather for Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole this year, the latest at Kempton in July. Also made a winning stable debut in 10-runner handicap at Laytown 15 days ago and can make a bold bid for the hat-trick.

Form: 172311

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(3)

Firewalker¹²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 10-2| J: Patrick McGettigan⁽²⁾| T: Robson Aguiar| OR: 74

12/1

Runner-up to a now-useful type at Southwell on debut. Hasn't kicked on in 3 starts on turf this year, though was poorly drawn when tenth of 14 on handicap debut at Windsor in May. Off 4 months (has been gelded) ahead of first run since leaving Kevin Philippart de Foy.

Form: 2-940

(12)

Coincidental Glory⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 10-0| J: Reese Holohan⁽⁴⁾| T: A McGuinness| OR: 72| C

7/2

Sole success came in 7f handicap here in December last year. Has made the frame several times on turf this season, including when 5¼ lengths third of 17 to Caffu Zafeen at Fairyhouse 4 days ago. Rated 11 lb higher on all-weather, but could be in the mix.

Form: 329403

(6)

Leveraging^p,t¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 10-0| J: J Cleary| T: S Lavery| OR: 72| CD

18/1

Maiden winner over this C&D on final outing last year. Hasn't gone on in a trio of turf handicaps this season, well beaten at Cork 16 days ago, so needs the return to this venue to help spark a revival in form.

Form: 961-060

(2)

Mehman^p¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: Conor Cusack⁽⁷⁾| T: P J F Murphy| OR: 68| CD

6/1

Four of his 5 career victories have came at this course. However, his losing run is mounting up and wasn't able to build on previous effort when seventh of 22 in handicap at Cork 16 days ago. Switches back to cheekpieces for return to this venue.

Form: 230057

(9)

Soulful Diva¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: Rebecca Parsons⁽⁷⁾| T: D Marnane| OR: 69

14/1

Showed improved form when runner-up in handicap at the Curragh (5f) last month. Hasn't been at the same level over 6f the last twice, though still remains lightly raced on all-weather (made the frame here only previous outing). Shortlisted.

Form: 4-69209

(7)

Profit Surge^t¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Sadhbh Tormey⁽⁷⁾| T: Ian Donoghue| OR: 65

40/1

Finally off the mark in 7f claimer at Gowran in August, her last outing for Gerard Keane. Below form in 2 starts for this yard, though, well held in handicap at Laytown (6f) 15 days ago.

Form: 233140

(13)

Boston Max^t⁷⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Nina Doherty⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 60| BF| C

12/1

Much improved since switched to handicaps with tongue strap fitted, recording back-to-back 5f wins at this course and Chepstow in the spring. Went close in his hat-trick bid at Doncaster (6f) in June, but lesser effort at Navan (5f) the following month.

Form: 00-1125

(10)

Kc Bear⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Nicola Burns⁽²⁾| T: N Meade| OR: 60| CD

16/1

Winner over C&D in December last year and continued in good heart with 3 in-frame efforts to start the current campaign. Not in the same form since, though was left with a lot to do when mid-field over 7f here a week ago.

Form: 242876

(8)

Prince Andorra^t1⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Alan Casey⁽⁷⁾| T: C O'Connell| OR: 59

66/1

Mid-field in maiden here (1m) on debut but has gone backwards from that effort, well held in 7f handicaps the last twice including at Fairyhouse 4 days ago. Tongue strap on for first time.

Form: 75600

(5)

Caffu Zafeen⁴^{(ex 7)}

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Shay Wallace⁽⁷⁾| T: P W Flynn| OR: 48| D

15/8

Capitalised on a falling mark when opening account under this rider in 17-runner handicap at Fairyhouse 4 days ago, well on top at the finish. Remains well treated on old form under a penalty, so enters calculations.

Form: 009051

(1)

Frosted Sky^b1¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Keithen Kennedy| T: Daniel McLoughlin| OR: 53

6/1

Offered something to work on in maidens but has failed to improve sent handicapping last 2 starts, eighth of 22 at Cork (7f) on latest outing. Blinkers reached for back down in trip.

Form: 88608

(11)

Spirit Above^p,t⁷⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Rory Mulligan| T: K Smith| OR: 52

22/1

Only narrowly denied in handicap at Down Royal (5f) in May. However, has failed to repeat that effort in 2 subsequent outings, down the field at Limerick (6.5f) 11 weeks ago.

Form: 770240

Forecasts

Boston Max (7/2), Initial Blue (9/2), Caffu Zafeen (5/1), Coincidental Glory (13/2), Firewalker (13/2), Mehman (10/1), Kc Bear (10/1), Profit Surge (10/1), Soulful Diva (14/1), Spirit Above (16/1), Frosted Sky (16/1), Leveraging (50/1), Prince Andorra (100/1)

INITIAL BLUE continued the good work this year when making a winning stable debut at Laytown, again showing a willing attitude from the front, and he is taken to record a fifth success of the campaign. The main danger could be Caffu Zafeen, who is respected under a penalty, ahead of Soulful Diva.