17:30 Dundalk

Thursday 21 December 2017

All16:3017:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:00

www.dundalkstadium.com Handicap (45-65) (Div 2)

Off time: 17:32 | Winning time: 1m 39.19s

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Selected odds by:

(4)

Fashaar⁹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: C J McGovern⁽⁵⁾| T: A McCann| OR: 65

20/1

Maiden of four starts was sent to Pontefract latest when completely tailed-off and nearly pulled-up. Makes handicap debut today after a layoff but form doesn't justify top-weight.

Form: 8760

(6)

Above Us Only Sky²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: P J Smullen| T: C O'Brien| OR: 63

4/1

Strong finishing third latest over 6f here would suggest she does want further but previous 1m tries not convincing. Worth another go however and if she does stay would be a leading contender.

Form: 366793

(11)

Bubbly Bellini^p¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 9-11| J: R P Downey⁽³⁾| T: A McGuinness| OR: 62| C| D

14/1

Veteran closing on 150 races now and seeking his 20th career win. Latest C&D fifth his best run for a while but off the same mark again here he isn't an obvious contender.

Form: 159705

(2)

Rising Eagle^v1⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: D E Sheehy⁽⁵⁾| T: A Keatley| OR: 59

12/1

Maiden of eight starts but latest fourth of 14 here was a sound enough effort. Handicapper further enhances claims so step up to 1m for the first time interesting, especially with a visor now added.

Form: 3756-04

(9)

Acari²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: C P Hoban| T: G B Caldwell| OR: 58

6/1

Stepped back to 1m latest when a quite respectable fourth here under exaggerated waiting tactics. Could do better today if able to lie closer to the pace so not ruled out.

Form: 74604

(13)

World's Greatest^p,t²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: S Foley| T: K H Clarke| OR: 57| D

8/1

Latest third here over 1m to hat-trick scorer Koybig was a very respectable run in the context of this race. 2lb higher today and has a difficult draw but still can't be dismissed.

Form: 707363

(10)

Surewhynot¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: L F Roche| T: Miss S J Harty| OR: 57

14/1

2½L third to Koybig who was landing a hat-trick last time out is her best piece of form to date. Handicap remains unchanged for the effort so hopes are high of another good run today.

Form: 960403

(12)

Indian Tomahawk^b²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: W J Lee| T: R O'Brien| OR: 55| BF| CD

6/1

Shade disappointing latest after four solid efforts in a row including three over C&D. Handicap remains one he is effective off however so would have a chance if he bounces back quickly.

Form: 031248

(3)

La Cumparsita²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: J A Heffernan| T: J J Murphy| OR: 56| C

6/1

Won two starts back here over 7f before chasing home Koybig who was that day landing the middle leg of a hat-trick. Unlucky in running there so better effort is very likely here and merits respect.

Form: 000516

(14)

Latchet¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 53| BF

6/1

Ran well in all three starts since switched to AW with the two over today's 1m the best. Raised 1lb for latest close up third but that not of any concern, draw on the wing however is.

Form: 060343

(1)

Loose Chippings^h²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: A J Slattery⁽¹⁰⁾| T: E M O'Sullivan| OR: 53

20/1

Maiden of 11 starts has shown next to nothing for current yard including latest ninth of 14 here in a claimer on AW bow. Hard to be enthusiastic.

Form: 403909

(5)

Highest Power^b1³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: M C Hussey| T: J L Hassett| OR: 50

33/1

Yet to make the first ten in six career starts (all in maidens). Handicap debut here and blinkers applied but others far more appealing.

Form: 000000

(7)

Iconic Figure^p1,h³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: N G McCullagh| T: P W Flynn| OR: 45

16/1

Now maiden of 19 starts. Form petered out a little of late after some promising efforts towards the end of last season. Cheek-pieces added here in a bid to revive him.

Form: 872579

(8)

Tee Ranger⁷¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: K J Leonard⁽⁵⁾| T: J Hurley| OR: 45

33/1

Well beaten in three maidens before 23L 11th of 14 on handicap bow at Gowran. Switches to AW now and handicapper takes 7lb off his back but of very limited ability.

Form: 9040

Non-Runners

Harvey Specter⁶⁰

Weight: 10-0| Age: 4

T: R Donohoe J: Reserve 1

Colombe Bleu¹⁸⁴

Weight: 8-8| Age: 4

T: R O'Sullivan J: Reserve 2

Schoolboy Error⁵⁰⁷

Weight: 9-9| Age: 4

T: S Nolan J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Above Us Only Sky (4/1), Latchet (6/1), La Cumparsita (6/1), Indian Tomahawk (6/1), Acari (6/1), Harvey Specter (7/1), World's Greatest (8/1), Schoolboy Error (11/1), Rising Eagle (12/1), Bubbly Bellini (14/1), Surewhynot (14/1), Iconic Figure (16/1), Fashaar (20/1), Loose Chippings (20/1), Colombe Bleu (25/1), Tee Ranger (33/1), Highest Power (33/1)

Prolific winner Koybig has a line through several of these so deciphering their relative merits through a line with that horse should offer us some clues. LA CUMPARSITA may have the best claims having been unlucky behind him latest in the middle leg of his hat-trick. World's Greatest was just ahead of the selection there so she too should have a chance despite a wide-draw. Latchet hasn't met Koybig but has been running really well although she too has a very tough draw.