Dundalk - Friday 13th March 2026
BUDDY BATT has been running well over today's course-and-distance in recent months and has every chance of getting back to winning ways. Rated 80 at his peak in 2023, the selection's form dipped prior to scoring last November and while he has now climbed back to 77, is race-fit and has a good all-weather record. Previous course-and-distance winner Red Evolution is a capable type and can enter calculations on his reappearance. Cuban Grey has been running well and is a six-time winner at this distance.
Veteran TYSON FURY would prefer a longer trip but is a capable performer on his day and now contests an ordinary claimer. The selection ended a long winless spell to score in February 2024 and while unsuccessful since then, has run well in some useful races and wasn't beaten far behind the placed-horses over course-and-distance last month. Persian Bliss is rated 90 but finished a long way behind the selection in that February race, where he was slowly away and showed very little. Benavente might prove second-best, as he has fair recent form and is suited by this distance.
AINGEAL DORCHA was a late-comer to all-weather racing last November but has shown nice course ability in recent times. A dual winner in 2022, the eight-year-old ended a long losing spell here last month and while he is now 6lb higher, can confirm placing with five of today's same rivals. Eighty Eight and Storm Eric finished third and fourth respectively in that February race and can get involved, while consistent Without Love is now tried in first-time blinkers.
DAONETHATGOTAWAY hasn't raced many times over similar distances but scored on his first attempt at this trip last month and might now defy a 5lb rise. A useful five-time winner, he stepped up in trip when finishing second here in mid-February and subsequently scored over today's distance. He is thoroughly dependable and again ridden by regular 7lb apprentice Reese Holohan. Voice Of Reason finished second over C&D last month and while he has top weight, today's rider now claims 5lb. Beauparc has been running well and is tried in a first-time tongue-tie.
GAIETY GIRL has run well twice to date and might score on handicap debut. Out of a Group 3 winner and a 24,000gns purchase as a Godolphin castoff last July, the selection was placed in both maidens and is thus eligible for today's handicap mark. The form of her debut reads well, with the fourth and fifth-placed horses scoring subsequently, and having again run well last month, can win from her 63 rating. Summer Island scored on yard debut last month (beating Beat The Devil) and while slow-starting and a keen-goer, should again compete. Darkdeserthighway has recent form, while Jasmine Affanalis is best watched on reappearance from a wide draw.
SAGASTI debuts in handicaps and should compete from her 72 rating. Out of a winning mare whose half-brother won a Group 2, the selection showed big improvement to finish a staying-on third in December. She should appreciate a mile and is open to more progression. The progressive Kc Bear is also from a useful family and while he has good course form, has yet to race at a mile. Colin Keane keeps the ride, though, and he is also just 5lb higher than when scoring previously. Tempted Angel is worth a second look in the betting on her handicap bow.
IPANEMA QUEEN makes her seasonal reappearance but showed smart ability as a juvenile. A dual Listed winner, including once at this course last October, the selection should have no difficulty reverting back to this distance and she tops the shortlist. Baby Sasma scored nicely on her debut last April and she could progress. Midnight Dusk won a C&D maiden in December but steps up in grade.
JAZZIT was neatly purchased for 1,000gns last December and ran well on his yard debut last month. The selection showed bits of form in the UK but seemed to show a little more on that day and he cannot be discounted. Jazzy Dancer could prove to be the main threat, while another veteran Hero Of The Hour is next best.
RED EVOLUTION is already a C&D winner and looks thrown in on his sprint form from last summer. He does have an absence to overcome but he's 3lb lower than when winning on his last start so is clearly well treated. He can defeat Buddy Batt who was foiled in his hat trick bid here last time but arrives in terrific form. That last run has had some knocks though so he will need another career best to win. Clonmacash is better over further but this could be run at a suicidal gallop given the amount of early pace in the race so he could stay on for a place.
Denis Hogan can have the first 3 home here. Tyson Fury is probably the classiest horse in the race and is a former course winner. He has been outclassed in better races recently and should find this easier but the trip does look on the sharp side. Colin Keane has been booked for PERSIAN BLISS after his Cheltenham success and he's another with an excellent course record. He likely needed the run last time and the former C&D winner could get back to the level of his form last winter. Consistent handicapper Benavente doesn't have the class of his stablemates but he should run his race and complete the tricast.
WITHOUT LOVE has been in excellent form since going handicapping and his latest couple of defeats are worth marking up as he was given too much to do. He looks well treated on his C&D win and if the first time blinkers sharpen him up early he will be tough to beat. Storm Eric has returned to form at this venue of late and looks dangerously well treated on his old form. Though he may ideally want shorter trips he can hold on for a place. C&D winner Eighty Eight hasn't won in a while but he has been running into form here recently off a reduced mark and should also be a threat in first time cheekpieces.
Top weight Voice Of Reason is likely to prove popular given he's won 3 times over C&D over the winter. He ran another huge race in defeat last time but the handicapper is reacting and he will need a career best again. It might be worth going with the consistent BEAUPARC instead who has a very useful claimer booked. She is on her last winning mark and has been running back into form of late at this venue. Pearl Jewel hasn't added to her C&D maiden win but she has been hinting at better off reduced marks of late and could fill the places.
GAIETY GIRL has shaped with promise on both of her starts so far and is taken to make a winning handicap debut off a potentially lenient mark. The way she has finished her races combined with her breeding suggests that this longer trip would suit. Land Of The Giants is another who has generally been running well in maidens here and looks fairly treated returning to handicaps. He can fill the places with top weight Darkdeserthighway who holds no secrets from the handicapper but should run her race with a top jockey booked.
There are slight stamina doubts from her breeding for ENTHUSIASTICALLY as she steps up in trip but she has been in fine form of late and is fancied to gain another victory here. The form of her 7f win here has been boosted and her last run is worth marking up as she made a big move around the outside so she looks well treated returned to handicaps. Last time out winner Kc Bear looks the obvious danger off 5lb higher. He did finish off his race strongly over 6f last time but is another who will have to prove his stamina. Cosmic Motion comes from a top yard and looks to have been given a fair opening mark so can also provide a threat with a top claimer booked.
IPANEMA QUEEN is the obvious choice to outclass her rivals. The dual Listed winner sets a clear standard on the ratings and recorded a big speed figure over the summer. She should be able to defeat Midnight Dusk who overcame an absence when a C&D winner last time. The form of that race is nothing special but he is open to further improvement on just his third start. Course winner Flanker Jet brings in an experience edge and though he went too fast last time he will be tough to peg back if allowed to dictate down in trip.
JAZZIT showed improved form over C&D when dropped in trip last time and looks well treated raised just 3lb for his return to handicaps given he finished a place ahead of a next time out winner. He can gain a first victory at the expense of Jazzy Dancer who snapped a losing run last time and remains well treated on his old efforts. He isn't one to rely on backing up that revival though. Hero Of The Hour was given too much to do but bounced back to form in a claimer last time and will also be a threat if building on that.
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