Dundalk preview: Step up in trip can help Rounding cause

After four blank days, a semblance of sanity returns to the week courtesy of Irish racing from Dundalk, and Rounding gets the nap to take the closing race, the Bar One Racing Handicap, for trainer Brendan Duke.

The lightly raced three-year-old was well beaten on his first three outings, but showed a little more when not too far behind Impart in a five-furlong maiden at Navan on his fourth start. He disappointed when upped to a mile for his next run, but there was distinct promise in his first start on the all-weather, behind one of this evening’s rivals, Buddha Boy.

He was unable to quicken well enough to land a telling blow on that occasion, but there was plenty to like about the way he finished off his race. As that was over six furlongs, one would expect today’s seven-furlong trip to prompt a little improvement. From a decent draw, he can race prominently and use his stamina to land the spoils.