Racecards
18:50 Dundalk (IRE)
www.dundalkstadium.com Handicap
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 1m
- Going: Standard
- Surface: Polytrack
- €10,000 added
- Winner: €6,900
- 2nd: €1,600
- 3rd: €700
- 4th: €400
- Form 0/36004-
- Age 4
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 89
- Trainer J S Bolger
- Jockey R P Whelan
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 8th when lost place 2f out, no impression in 5th 1f out, kept on same pace
- Form 80035-7
- Age 5
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 84
held up towards rear, headway into 5th 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, led inside final 100 yards, kept on well close home
- Form 82223-2
- Age 6
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 84
- Trainer G M Lyons
- Jockey G J Phillips
mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression in 6th 1f out, kept on one pace
- Form 21695-1
- Age 5
- Weight 9-12
- Official Rating 82
- Trainer E Lynam
- Jockey Joseph O'Brien
mid-division, 7th halfway, headway into 4th 2f out, ridden to lead and dispute 1 1/2f out, headed inside final 100 yards, no extra and kept on same pace
- Form 40632-0
- Age 10
- Weight 9-11
- Official Rating 81
- Trainer A McGuinness
- Jockey A E Lynch
chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway to lead 2f out, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, no extra
- Form 944164-
- Age 7
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 80
mid-division, 8th halfway, 6th 2f out, soon ridden, no extra in 8th 1f out, kept on one pace
- Form 56335-3
- Age 4
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 77
- Trainer G M Lyons
- Jockey Johnny Murtagh
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to lead and dispute 1 1/2f out, headed inside final 100 yards, no extra and kept on same pace
- Form 70000-0
- Age 7
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 74
led, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra and weakened
- Form 84923-1
- Age 4
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 67
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey W M Lordan
chased leader in 2nd, ridden and weakened entering straight
- Form 19388-4
- Age 5
- Weight 8-10
- Official Rating 66
held up towards rear, ridden in 9th 2f out, 7th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
- Form 00000-8
- Age 8
- Weight 8-6
- Official Rating 62
- Trainer L Comer
- Jockey M C Hussey
chased leaders early, mid-division halfway, ridden and dropped towards rear 3f out, kept on one pace straight
- Form 493203-
- Age 6
- Weight 9-12
- Official Rating 82
In depth
Verdict
Akasaka was making his Polytrack debut when scoring over the C&D three weeks ago and though 8lb higher looks certain to go well. Connections of Joe Eile can't seem to decide his best trip as he stayed on over 7f here last month but failed to last out over 1m3f two weeks ago. He earlier finished around 3l behind tonight's rival If Per Chance over this trip here and that winner should confirm the form on identical terms and also take care of runner-up Tarrsille. Ecossaise got off the mark in a maiden on Fibresand at Southwell and though her form on Polytrack isn't strong she is at the right end of the handicap and must be considered. WHIPLESS has a big weight to carry but he's performed in much better company and Ricky Whelan's claim can help Jim Bolger's charge return to winning ways.
Formwatch
Whipless (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, no extra in 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 2l behind Tell The Wind (9-1) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Dec.
Iron Major (IRE) 13-2 (9-10) Held up towards rear, late headway in 9th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 7th of 14, 4l behind Billyford (9-10) at Dundalk 7f hcap pol.
Tarrsille (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Mid-division, 8th halfway, not clear run 2f out, ridden and kept on well final furlong to 2nd close home, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Billyford (9-10) at Dundalk 7f hcap pol.
Akasaka (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, moderate 3rd halfway, closed travelling well over 2f out, improved to lead over 1f out, ridden and kept on well final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m Handicap (60-75) (4yo+) pol beating Black N Brew (9-11) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Toufan Express 12-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 10th of 14, 6l behind Billyford (9-10) at Dundalk 7f hcap pol.
If Per Chance (IRE) 10-1 (8-5) Mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden in 6th 2f out, 4th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Elusive Ridge (9-2) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Dec.
Joe Eile (IRE) 7-2fav (9-5) Chased leaders and keen hold, 3rd halfway, 2nd 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed final 150 yards, no extra and kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Flavia Tatiana (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcap pol.
Casela Park (IRE) 25-1 (9-9) Always towards rear, 12th of 14, 8l behind Billyford (9-10) at Dundalk 7f hcap pol.
Ecossaise 3-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, headway over 3f out, every chance over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to lead towards finish, won at Southwell 1m mdn stks (5) fbs beating Maxamillion Bounty (10-0) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Aragorn Icon (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 7th 2f out, 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 2 1/4l behind Akasaka (9-10) at Dundalk 1m Handicap (60-75) (4yo+) pol.
King's Bastion (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Towards rear, some late headway from over 1f out, 8th of 14, 9l behind Heir To The Mint (8-11) at Dundalk 1m hcp 47-65 pol.
Star Links (USA) 9-1 (9-6) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Tarooq (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.