Genoah can carry top weight to Dundalk prize
Genoah and Colin Keane win the Dundalk Stadium Handicap at Dundalk last year. Pic: Healy Racing
A three-time winner on the polytrack, the Michael O’Callaghan-trained Genoah might defy top-weight in the BAR 1 Betting Extra Places Rated Race in Dundalk.
The US Navy Flag gelding has won off marks of 75 (in November 2024), 82 (last February) and, most recently, 85, when he stayed on dourly to beat Final Voyage, Quatre Bras and one of tonight’s rivals Take Heart at the final Dundalk meeting before Christmas.
Ridden then, as he will be tonight, by Leigh Roche, the five-year-old had Take Heart two lengths behind on that occasion and, although 4lb worse off, is expected to confirm the form.
Both horses have tried tonight’s trip, a mile and a half, only once, but should cope well. And Genoah, now rated 88, might have the edge again.
Other threats include Nakasero, beaten a half-length by Voice Of Reason over course and distance lats time, and the consistent Echinacea, runner-up in her last three starts and helped tonight by a first-time tongue-tie.
Off the mark on his penultimate start, Paddy Magee’s Beat The Devil might return to winning ways, stepping-up in trip, in the first division of the (0-60) Follow On X @dundalk_stadium Handicap.
The four-year-old bolted-up, off 50, in a mile handicap three weeks ago, travelling strongly before slamming Heart Of Darkness by four lengths.
Raised 9lb, he had to settle for fifth spot behind Kitty Bear (had finished fourth when the pair clashed two weeks earlier) in another mile handicap last week.
He gave the impression that night that a step-up in trip might suit him. And, tonight, het gets an opportunity to put that theory to the test.
The Laura Hourigan-trained Notforalongtime, a course specialist, must be fancied to defy a high draw in the opening, seven-furlong claimer.
The nine-year-old has triumphed seven times at this venue, registering four course and distance wins and a three over a mile.
A prominent racer, he pipped Moyassr (a subsequent winner and a big fancy for tonight’s 5.45.) by a short-head in a mile handicap here in November before finishing third to in-form Nikki Swango, over tonight’s trip, on his last start, early last month.
Dropping back into claiming company and with champion apprentice Wayne Hassett on board again, he should take plenty of beating.
3.43: Notforalongtime (n.b.)Â
4.15: Stone BearÂ
4.45: NermalÂ
5.15: Picture ThisÂ
5.45: MoyassrÂ
6.15: Genoah (Nap)Â
6.45: Beat The DevilÂ
7.15: Without LoveÂ
3.43: Una MatataÂ
4.15: Mini CotaiÂ
4.45: HandshakeÂ
5.15: Guy’s GirlÂ
5.45: DaonethatgotawayÂ
6.15: Take HeartÂ
6.45: Master GarveyÂ
7.15: Marians Gal
