As the cold snap continues across the UK & Ireland, Dundalk Stadium is taking full advantage of its all-weather surface with an extra meeting scheduled for Monday afternoon. The 47-70 rated handicap has been split into two divisions at the end of the card meaning we now have seven races to look forward to at the County Louth venue.
Bar One Racing is sponsoring the gate on Monday which means free admission for anyone attending the meeting at Dundalk Stadium. There are some exciting two year old contests scheduled to take place, including the opening race at 2.45. Den Of Iniquity was narrowly beaten by a more experienced subsequent winner on debut just twelve days ago for Joseph O’Brien and now steps up in trip. As a result, the Roaring Lion filly is expected to go off a short priced favourite.
The two year old colts & geldings get their turn in a maiden at 3.15 and should Den Of Iniquity win the opener then eyes may be drawn towards Seven Hill’s who wasn’t far off Joseph O’Brien’s filly at Dundalk last time. Meanwhile, O’Brien has a newcomer in this race called Luigi Antinori, a half-brother to a 1m winner for the yard. Recent Grade 1 Bar One Racing Royal Bond winning trainer Barry Connell has a rare flat runner in this one as Avondale makes his debut with Seamie Heffernan a notable jockey booking.
They race over a mile again at 3.45 but this time in a Nursery Handicap. Mick Halford’s Doctor Grace kicked on massively to be beaten just half-a-length on her second nursery start at Dundalk last time and should play a leading role up in trip today. Gavin Cromwell’s Zentopia ran well on debut at the Curragh and hasn’t been beaten far into two all-weather starts since, while Fendi looks closely matched with Doctor Grace off the back of their recent encounter here.
The 4.15 race is a 1m fillies maiden containing a field exclusively made up of three year old’s. Joseph O’Brien’s Selador threw away her chance when hanging badly right in the closing stages over the C&D last time but still wasn’t beaten far and looks another strong contender for the trainer on the day.
A 47-70 Handicap takes place over the 8f’s at 4.45 (We’re paying four places) with the Denis Hogan trained Jaafel seeking to defy a 7lb penalty and bring up a hat-trick of wins over the C&D. Miss Abby Jools recent form figures at Dundalk read 3122 while Mulgrave ran well when fourth over 7f here last month and could find himself in the mix off a 1lb lower mark.
The final two races will be run over 1m4f with division 1 of the 47-70 handicap due off at 5.15. Sky Legend is a fascinating recruit to the Denis Hogan yard with the three year old once costing 450,000g as a yearling and placing in three of his five British starts for James Ferguson. Waterford handler John Kiely also has a British recruit making a first appearance for his yard as the ex Richard Fahey trained Liberated Light looks to build on the early promise he showed in the UK.
All eyes will be on Ronan McNally’s Grade 2 winning hurdler Dreal Deal in the last as the seven year old bids to follow up on a strong all-weather debut last time when only beaten two lengths by a subsequent winner.
Enjoy your day at the races on Bar One Racing!
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