18:15 Dundalk

Friday 23 February 2024

All15:3516:0516:4017:1517:4518:1518:4519:15

DundalkStadium.com Apprentice Handicap (47-65)

Off time: 18:15 | Winning time: 2m 37.82s

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(14)

Turf Range^b⁷⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: D King| T: D Broad| OR: 64| CD

15/2

3-time C&D winner. 50/1, again ran some way below his best when eighth of 14 in handicap at this C&D in December. Returns from a short break now which may of helped and the assessor has given him a chance.

Form: 000088-

(2)

Gracesolution^v⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: S R Markey⁽⁷⁾| T: R O'Sullivan| OR: 63

17/2

Fourteen runs since last win in 2022. Visored for 1st time, respectable 5¼ lengths third of 14 to Noble Crusade in handicap at this C&D (14/1) 9 days ago, keeping on. Consistent sort who is expected to be thereabouts again.

Form: 34735-3

(12)

Hasten Slowly⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: C D Fahy⁽⁷⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 65| C

8/1

Latest win over 10.7f here in December. Good second of 14 in handicap at this course (10.7f, 4/1) 7 days ago, ridden entering straight and staying on. A repeat here gives him claims of getting involved again.

Form: 215-672

(15)

Three Comets^b¹¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-13| J: J Kearney| T: L Comer| OR: 61

25/1

Eighteenth of 20 in handicap (50/1) at the Curragh (14f, heavy). Off 115 days. Blinkers back on.

Form: 6/68000-

(17)

Noble Crusade⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: K G Kennedy⁽⁷⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 60| CD

5/4

14/1, won 14-runner handicap at this C&D 9 days ago, keeping on well. Remains well treated on old form and fancied to make his presence felt.

Form: 0009-61

(16)

Oranmore⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: O McSweeney| T: L Comer| OR: 60

11/2

One win from 21 Flat runs. 12/1, tenth of 13 in handicap at this C&D 63 days ago. Others more persuasive.

Form: 599630-

(10)

Butterfly Garden⁸⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: J Cleary⁽⁴⁾| T: K Prendergast| OR: 57| D

28/1

Twelve runs since last win in 2022. Thirteenth of 14 in handicap at this C&D (25/1) 86 days ago.

Form: 409870-

(6)

Hollywood Star⁶⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: C J MacRedmond| T: L Comer| OR: 59

80/1

Thrice-raced maiden. Last of 13 in maiden at this C&D (100/1) 65 days ago. Makes handicap debut.

Form: 990-

(9)

Arctic Blaze^p¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: D A Kidd⁽⁷⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 55| C| D

20/1

Course winner. Ninth of 14 in handicap (16/1) at this C&D 14 days ago, short of room under 2f out and fading. Mark is easing all the time at least.

Form: 30/00-49

(11)

Maura's Gift^p³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: R Whearty| T: P W Flynn| OR: 53| CD

15/2

C&D winner. Creditable sixth of 14 in handicap (17/2) at this C&D 35 days ago, disputing lead and weakening only final 100 yds. Not taken lightly.

Form: 99723-6

(13)

Barrys Rock^v²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-4| J: C Horgan⁽⁴⁾| T: A Mullins| OR: 52

28/1

Remains a maiden after 21 Flat runs. 16/1, twelfth of 14 in handicap at this course (8f) 28 days ago. Significantly back up in trip.

Form: 70500-0

(3)

Special Protector³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: J J G Ryan| T: E Doyle| OR: 48

33/1

Maiden who finished a good second on the Flat at Gowran (11.8f) in October and better than finishing positions suggest on each of her 2 starts over hurdles since. Worth noting if the market speaks in her favour back on the level.

Form: 432542-

(1)

Dragon Roll³¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 8-13| J: P A Harnett| T: E O'Connell| OR: 47| C

50/1

Course winner. Sixteenth of 17 in handicap (14/1) at Gowran (9.6f, heavy). Off 10 months. Up in trip. Needs a couple of these to falter.

Form: 1744/40-

(7)

Awakino⁶⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Adam Caffrey| T: D Cullen| OR: 47

40/1

Lightly-raced maiden. 400/1 and cheekpieces on for 1st time, ninth of 13 in maiden at this C&D 65 days ago, unable to sustain effort. Makes handicap debut now and progress required.

Form: 00009-

Non-Runners

(8)

Limited Edition²¹

Weight: 8-13| Age: 6

T: K H Clarke J: Reserve 1

(5)

Tara Power²¹

Weight: 9-2| Age: 6

T: K H Clarke J: Reserve 2

(4)

Wojood⁹

Weight: 8-13| Age: 8

T: D Hogan J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Noble Crusade (5/4), Oranmore (11/2), Maura's Gift (15/2), Turf Range (15/2), Hasten Slowly (8/1), Tara Power (8/1), Gracesolution (17/2), Arctic Blaze (20/1), Wojood (20/1), Three Comets (25/1), Butterfly Garden (28/1), Barrys Rock (28/1), Special Protector (33/1), Limited Edition (33/1), Awakino (40/1), Dragon Roll (50/1), Hollywood Star (80/1)

NOBLE CRUSADE took advantage of a drop in the weights with any amount to spare over C&D 9 days ago and a subsequent hike in the weights may not be enough to prevent a bold follow-up bid. Gracesolution and the selection's stablemate Hasten Slowly head up the dangers, with Special Protector another to keep an eye on returning to the level.