Racecards
19:30 Dundalk (IRE)
Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap
- 12 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Standard
- Surface: Polytrack
- €25,001 added
- Winner: €15,375
- 2nd: €4,750
- 3rd: €2,250
- 4th: €1,000
- Form 021111
- Age 4
- Weight 9-11
- Official Rating 96
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey D O'Brien
held up in mid-division, headway on inner early straight and ridden to challenge over 1f out, no impression in 3rd inside final furlong
- Form 708116
- Age 7
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer Miss Ellmarie Holden
- Jockey O J Orr
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression in 6th over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
- Form 248-577
- Age 8
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 85
- Trainer M J Smith
- Jockey T P Madden
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression in 6th over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
- Form 40-31
- Age 9
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 83
pushed along early and led after 1f, ridden and headed 2f out, no impression over 1f out, no extra final furlong
- Form 009-201
- Age 7
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 82
- Trainer A Fleming
- Jockey P J Smullen
held up in rear of mid-division, some headway on outer approaching straight, ridden to challenge 1 1/2f out, under pressure and kept on inside final furlong, led on line
- Form 16-1500
- Age 7
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 82
tracked leaders on outer, 3rd halfway, pushed along approaching straight, ridden and no impression 1 1/2f out, no extra
- Form 474748
- Age 6
- Weight 8-10
- Official Rating 81
- Trainer G P Cromwell
- Jockey K J Manning
mid-division, ridden early straight and headway to challenge 1 1/2f out, under pressure and every chance inside final furlong, just failed
- Form 915707
- Age 7
- Weight 8-9
- Official Rating 80
- Trainer K H Clarke
- Jockey S Foley
rear of mid-division, ridden under 2f out and no impression in 7th over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
- Form 235160
- Age 7
- Weight 8-4
- Official Rating 75
- Trainer J J Hanlon
- Jockey R P Cleary
led early, tracked leader, 2nd halfway, ridden and led briefly 2f out, no impression over 1f out, no extra and weakened, eased close home
- Form 724073
- Age 10
- Weight 8-4
- Official Rating 75
held up towards rear, pushed along early straight, ridden and no impression on outer over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
- Form 273660
- Age 7
- Weight 8-4
- Official Rating 75
- Trainer A Slattery
- Jockey A J Slattery
tracked leaders on inner, 4th halfway, lost place approaching straight, ridden and no impression under 2f out, kept on one pace
- Form 6-00500
- Age 11
- Weight 8-4
- Official Rating 75
- Trainer M Halford
- Jockey K J Leonard
mid-division, pushed along and dropped to rear entering straight, ridden and no impression towards rear 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
In depth
Verdict
Clear Skies began her winning run with a maiden victory and has shot up 23lb in the ratings in completing a four-timer. She takes a big step up in trip after scoring easily over 1m4f last time but looks likely to be in the mix again. My Direction was attempting a hat-trick in that latter event and though finding little this trip should prove more to her liking and she's 10lb better off with the winner for a four-length beating. Abraham, who finished just in front, is also a hurdles winner who can do better over this trip while Winter Lion is the only course and distance winner in the line-up having won twice last winter and is on the same mark as his last victory, though he's been chasing. Here For The Craic doesn't win all that often and Laid Back Luke, another who has been running over fences, is best on ground with plenty of give. ELISHPOUR (NAP) did well to win over 1m4f here last month as that would be his minimum trip. Just touched off over course and distance on his debut here in February, he looks well treated and can complete a double.
Formwatch
Clear Skies 5-2jfav (9-6) Tracked leader, 6th halfway, travelled well and closed over 2f out, led under 2f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec beating Play It Cool (9-2) by 2 3/4l, 11 ran.
My Direction 11-2 (9-10) Towards rear, 9th halfway, headway under 2f out, ridden over 1f out, 6th 1f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 11, 4 3/4l behind Clear Skies (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Shalaman (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) In touch in 4th place, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 10th of 11, dist behind Cesar Collonges (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) sft in Nov.
Laid Back Luke (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Held up, soon in rear, no impression 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Punchestown 2m 7f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Elishpour (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Mid-division, dropped to rear of mid-division at halfway, effort when short of room 2f out, soon switched right and ridden, 5th 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to lead near line, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov beating Saga Bolton (8-11) by hd, 14 ran.
Winter Lion (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) With leader, ridden before last, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Brio Conti (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 4f (3) sft in Nov.
Political Policy (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Held up, 7th halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, 8th of 9, 5 3/4l behind Clear Skies (8-4) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Nov.
Poitin 25-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, soon raced towards rear, 10th halfway, ridden 1 1/2f out, no impression, kept on final furlong without threatening, 7th of 11, 7 1/2l behind Clear Skies (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Magna Cartor 14-1 (11-4) Tracked winner until not fluent 2 out, no extra flat, 6th of 7, 11 1/4l behind Dashing Oscar (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Here For The Craic (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden 2f out and headway in 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 2l behind Clear Skies (9-10) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Nov.
Sharjah (IRE) 22-1 (9-5) Mid-division on outer, 6th halfway, pushed along approaching straight and dropped to rear 2f out, no extra, last of 14, 10 3/4l behind Clear Skies (9-10) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Nov.
Paddy The Celeb (IRE) 40-1 (9-12) Rear of mid-division, ridden entering straight, no impression, never a factor, 10th of 20, 12 1/2l behind Grand Partner (9-13) at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcp sft in Oct.
Abraham (IRE) 7-1 (8-10) Rear of mid-division, 8th halfway, took closer order under 2f out, soon ridden, no impression in 4th final 100 yards, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Clear Skies (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.