Ocean Manifest can defy top-weight and complete Dundalk hat-trick

Placed twice for Michael O’Callaghan, the five-year-old Siyouni gelding has performed consistently since joining Stephen Thorne and, up just 3lb for a win in mid-January, has obvious claims here

Fri, 27 Feb, 2026 - 05:45

John Ryan

Ocean Manifest, a dual course and distance winner, might be capable of defying top-weight in the BAR 1 Betting ‘Download Our App’ Handicap in Dundalk.

Placed twice for Michael O’Callaghan, the five-year-old Siyouni gelding has performed consistently since joining Stephen Thorne and, up just 3lb for a win in mid-January, has obvious claims here.

The selection had been placed four times before opening his account in one-mile maiden here back in November, justifying odds-on favouritism in style with more than four lengths to spare over Seola.

Then, in his second handicap, he was beaten less than two lengths when third behind the progressive Nikki Swango over seven furlongs.

Last time, back to his optimum trip, a mile, Ocean Manifest was in prime position from the time the gates opened, tracking Venetian before setting sail for home and running on well to beat Exquisite Aclaim by a length and a quarter, with two of today’s rivals, Neo Smart and Brewing close behind in fourth and fifth places respectively.

Ocean Manifest went up 3lb for that success and scrapes into this 0-80 handicap with an obvious chance to gain his third victory.

Although difficult to assess, the once-raced, Robson De Aguiar-trained filly Blanc De Blanc should figure prominently in the featured Dundalk Stadium Patton Race.

This American-bred daughter of Not This Time was sent off a strong 9-4 chance for her debut and, despite showing clear signs of inexperience, got home by a neck over the frustrating Astronomically, who has been beaten twice since.

Blanc De Blanc is open to substancial improvement with that experience under her belt. Abd she might be capable of following-up, in the hands of Donagh O’Connor.

Of those with official ratings, David Marnane’s Redemption Road, winner of a Tipperary maiden last autumn, sets the standard while Jospeh O’Brien’s newcomer Power Strike also deserves respect.

The Willie Mullins-trained Gaucher, successful four times over hurdles, including bagging three Grade Three prizes, appeals in the Floodlit Fridays At Dundalk Stadium Race.

Winner of the Horse & Jockey Hotel Hurdle at Tipperary in October, when left clear by the last flight exit of Glen Kiln, he started favourite for his polytrack debut, in a two-mile handicap, here in November by could finish only fourth behind Bryant.

Dropping in trip, he made no mistake last time, slamming Quatre Bras by six lengths in a mile and a half handicap, a victory which earned him an 11lb hike in the ratings.

Tonight’s task, in a conditions event, over an even shorter trip, is very different. But Gaucher might have the measure of the AMO pair Dallas Star and Crypto Factor and Joseph O’Brien’s A Piece Of Heaven.