Racecards
14:20 Dundalk (IRE)
Dundalk Stadium Race
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 5f
- Going: Standard
- Surface: Polytrack
- €15,000 added
- Winner: €10,350
- 2nd: €2,400
- 3rd: €1,050
- 4th: €600
- Form 034132
- Age 4
- Weight 9-11
- Official Rating 83
- Trainer T G McCourt
- Jockey C T Keane
led at ordinary pace early, joined from under 2f out, headed from 1f out, kept on without matching winner
- Form 212026
- Age 3
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 89
- Trainer K J Condon
- Jockey S Foley
waited with at ordinary pace early, pushed along from 2f out, soon 3rd, no impression 1f out, kept on same pace and dropped to 4th closing stages
- Form 641705
- Age 6
- Weight 9-6
- Official Rating 69
tracked leaders at ordinary pace early, ridden along on inner 2f out, soon dropped to 5th and no impression, kept on same pace
- Form 456406
- Age 4
- Weight 9-6
- Official Rating 80
- Trainer J J Murphy
- Jockey Joseph O'Brien
tracked leaders at ordinary pace early, ridden into straight on outer, soon no impression, no extra in last 1f out
- Form 1-04139
- Age 3
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 98
- Trainer E Lynam
- Jockey P J Smullen
tracked leader at ordinary pace early, on terms from under 2f out going best, led from 1f out, stayed on well
Verdict
The three-year-old YULONG BAOJU comes out a long way clear on official figures and, as he made a successful racecourse debut here last August and wasn't beaten far in a Curragh Group 3 last time, he should have no problems maintaining his unbeaten record on the surface. Almadaa has a much better record on the surface than on Turf and though beaten six lengths by My Good Brother over the course and distance this summer he was conceding 19lb and looks capable of reversing the form. In Salutem looks best of the remainder though his only victory came over 7f on this track.
Formwatch
Almadaa 11-4fav (11-13) Tracked leaders on near side and 6th halfway, no impression from well over 1f out and eased when beaten inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 10l behind Saratoga Baby (11-10) at Laytown 7f am hcp 50-80.
My Good Brother (IRE) 5-2fav (9-5) Chased leader, 4th halfway, ridden in 2nd 1 1/2f out, no impression leader 1f out, kept on final furlong to press winner close home, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Queen Grace (9-0) at Dundalk 5f 3yo stks pol in Aug.
In Salutem 33-1 (9-3) Chased leaders and 4th halfway, ridden and no extra under 2f out, eased when beaten final furlong, 6th of 7, 17l behind Slade Power (9-10) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 gd in Aug.
Lily's Star (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Tracked leaders on near side and 6th halfway, ridden and no impression in 5th 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Enigma Code (10-8) at Laytown 6f hcp 50-70.
Nini Ok (IRE) 50-1 (9-6) Soon led and disputed, headed under 3f out, ridden in 3rd 2f out, 2nd entering straight, no extra 1f out, 6th of 9, 13l behind Yellow Rosebud (9-11) at Galway 7f fll lst stks (1) hvy in Aug.
Yulong Baoju (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, no impression from halfway, 9th of 12, 4l behind Dutch Masterpiece (9-3) at Curragh 5f Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug.