Racecards
18:15 Dundalk (IRE)
Hen & Stag Packages At Dundalk Stadium Handicap
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 6f
- Going: Standard
- Surface: Polytrack
- €8,500 added
- Winner: €5,866
- 2nd: €1,360
- 3rd: €595
- 4th: €340
- Form 5560-51
- Age 3
- Weight 10-3
- Official Rating 80
- Trainer T Stack
- Jockey Fran Berry
pushed along early and soon led, made all, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong
- Form 1-
- Age 3
- Weight 9-11
- Official Rating 74
- Trainer G O'Leary
- Jockey I T Queally
mid-division, ridden in 6th 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
- Form 443116-
- Age 3
- Weight 9-9
- Official Rating 72
- Trainer E Lynam
- Jockey N G McCullagh
chased leaders, ridden in 5th 2f out, 4th 1f out, kept on without threatening inside final furlong
- Form 6454-4
- Age 3
- Weight 9-9
- Official Rating 72
- Trainer K Prendergast
- Jockey C D Hayes
towards rear on outer, ridden entering straight, no impression
- Form 336-
- Age 3
- Weight 9-9
- Official Rating 72
dwelt and held up in rear, 12th halfway, effort on inner 2f out, soon short of room, no impression under hands and heels final furlong
- Form 567-
- Age 3
- Weight 9-8
- Official Rating 71
mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden entering straight, no impression
Aru Cha Cha
173- Form 782342-
- Age 3
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 65
chased leader in 2nd throughout, ridden 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, pressed winner to line
- Form 691368-
- Age 3
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 63
- Trainer T G McCourt
- Jockey Karen Kenny
chased leaders, ridden in 3rd 2f out, soon no extra
- Form 67-64
- Age 3
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 61
slowly into stride, always behind, no impression from halfway, never a factor
Nakara (IRE)
205- Form 5536-
- Age 3
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 60
- Trainer W McCreery
- Jockey P J Smullen
rear of mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden and weakened entering straight
- Form 0700-5
- Age 3
- Weight 8-4
- Official Rating 47
- Trainer D English
- Jockey R P Cleary
chased leaders, ridden in 4th 2f out, 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
Verdict
Royal Focus was well supported in a 7f claimer on his debut at Down Royal in September and duly obliged. Caso Do Lago, who was a close third, won his next two races on this track and there's little between them here. Aru Cha Cha was a length behind the latter in one of those races and is 7lb better off so should reverse the form. Fine Cut dropped back to this trip here last time and won easily but has been raised a massive 16lb for his troubles. Invisible Flash has some decent form on Turf and makes her debut on the surface but the vote goes to LITTLE FASTNET, who showed potential in strong maidens and makes her handicap debut on a fair mark.
Formwatch
Fine Cut (IRE) 7-2 (9-6) Ridden to dispute early, soon chased leader in 2nd, ridden to challenge 2f out, soon led, kept on strongly from over 1f out, stretched clear inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 6f 3yo hcp 47-70 pol in Mar beating Go Placidly (9-12) by 6l, 10 ran.
Royal Focus (IRE) 4-1fav (9-0) Tracked leaders and 4th halfway, headway 2f out and led over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Down Royal 7f 2yo clm gf in Sep beating Queen Rosemary (8-11) by 2l, 9 ran.
Caso Do Lago (IRE) 3-1 (9-10) In touch, 6th before straight and ridden, no extra 1 1/2f out, 6th of 8, 12l behind Dark Skies (9-9) at Dundalk 6f 2yo hcp pol in Nov.
Invisible Flash 9-4 (8-4) Prominent and tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along to dispute 2f out, headed 1f out and soon no impression in 4th, last of 4, 7l behind Thrilled To Bits (8-4) at Cork 5f 3yo hcp hvy.
Little Fastnet (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Chased leaders on inner, ridden after halfway, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 9l behind Terrific (9-4) at Curragh 7f 2yo fll gd in Aug.
Thirteen Diamonds (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Chased leaders on outer, 6th halfway, ridden and no extra 2f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 9, 8l behind Mr Good Guy (9-5) at Dundalk 5f 2yo mdn stks pol in Nov.
Aru Cha Cha 4-1 (9-2) Soon tracked leaders, pushed along into straight, 3rd 2f out, soon challenged and every chance, no impression and kept on same pace from 1f out, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Caso Do Lago (9-2) at Dundalk 5f 2yo hcp pol in Oct.
Local Flier 7-2 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 11l behind Gulland Rock (9-0) at Musselburgh 5f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Sep.
Passified Lady (USA) 16-1 (9-1) Dwelt, soon switched to inner and mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden and no impression over 2f out, 6th 1f out, kept on final furlong, just held for 3rd, 4th of 10, 7l behind Fine Cut (9-6) at Dundalk 6f 3yo hcp 47-70 pol in Mar.
Nakara (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, 4th 1f out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 6th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Hilltown Gal (9-2) at Tipperary 5f 2yo hcp gd in Sep.
Dylan Express (IRE) 33-1 (8-4) Soon led, ridden over 2f out, challenged 2f out, soon headed, no extra over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 7l behind Fine Cut (9-6) at Dundalk 6f 3yo hcp 47-70 pol in Mar.