Dundalk (AW) (IRE) Races

Travelled strongly - towards rear of midfield - smooth headway and prominent under 2f out - pushed along to lead 1f out - soon ridden clear - kept on well - comfortably (trainer said - regarding the apparent improvement in form - gelding was a big raw immature horse that made his debut at the Curragh on the 26th March when outclassed on Yielding ground. He explained that the next run at Gowran Park on the 7th April the gelding was outclassed again before appearing for the third time in 18 days at the owners request at Gowran Park again on the 13th April when struggling on the Yielding to Soft ground. Trainer further added that the gelding ran next at Cork on the 22nd July after a three month break and pleased connections but through immaturity he changed his legs a lot and ducked during the race. Trainer felt in the next few weeks the gelding felt flat at home and was eased off in his training. Following a 145-day break - the gelding came here today on the back of a very good piece of work recently on this surface and was competing in what was felt to be a weak race with a good handicap mark. Trainer advised the Racedays Stewards that the significant betting patterns were as a result of his owners support for the gelding. Evidence was also heard from Mark Bird - Rules of Racing Handicapper - who detailed the horses previous racing performances and outlined the improvement shown today)(op 10/1)

Held up in rear - pushed along and good headway towards near side over 1f out - ridden and chased clear leader inside final furlong - kept on well - no match for winner(op 11/2)

Midfield - headway and prominent 2f out - ridden and briefly went second 1f out - no extra final 110yds(op 8/1 tchd 15/2)