Numantia can deliver on early promise in Dundalk 

Numantia will tackle the polytrack for the first time, with Paddy Harnett on board, and should be very tough to beat

Comanche Brave and Billy Loughnane won the Group 1 BAR 1 Betting Flying Five Stakes for Donnacha O'Brien and Rachel Hickey, earlier this week. Picture: Healy Racing

Numantia should be worth the wait in Friday's Dundalk finale, the Celebrate Your Special Occasion At Dundalk Stadium Maiden.

The Donnacha O’Brien-trained filly, a daughter of St Mark’s Basilica and a half-sister to five winners, has displayed a solid level of form in her three starts, earning an official mark of 82, and sets a decent standard here.

The selection shaped with lots of promise on her debut at the Curragh’s Guineas meeting back in May, staying on to finish fourth, beaten less than two lengths, behind Count Bezukhov.

O’Brien’s charge then started 2/1 joint-favourite for a similar, 10-furlong maiden at the Curragh in June, but bumped into stout stayer Wyman, who went on to win a Leopardstown handicap off 88 and is now rated 96.

And the third Zadawa bolted up by eight lengths, stepped up in trip, in a fillies maiden at Galway last week.

Numantia started favourite again when tried over a mile and an half, also at the Curragh, in July, but could finish only third to Tokyo Tower in a six-runner affair.

Tonight, Numantia will tackle the polytrack for the first time, with Paddy Harnett on board. And her form suggests that she should be very tough to beat.

Earlier, Robson De Aguiar, always a force at Dundalk, will saddle two for the five-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race, Force Noir, off the track since finishing down the field in the ‘Norfolk’ at Royal; Ascot in June and Supreme Lord, disappointing when bidding for back-to-back wins in Navan nurseries.

But preference is for Evanna McCutcheon’s speedy Kodi Bear colt Hanney Boy, placed on his first four starts (including a listed event in Naas) before opening his account in Cork and being highly-tried last time in a listed event in York.

Highest-rated of the six runners, and with Jack Cleary claiming 5lb., Hanney Boy might prove too strong for Cork winner Walk On Harry and the De Aguair pair.

There is also jumps action in Downpatrick this afternoon. And the Ian Donoghue-trained Beggars Rock, back over hurdles, looks a stand-out in the Randox Handicap Hurdle.

This fellow has won recent handicap chases in Wexford (off 108) and on this track (113) to reach a mark of 119 but races here off a hurdle mark of 100, which makes him a very attractive proposition.

And Mr Master Mac, representing Mark Fahey, might outpoint fellow course winner Luker’s Tipple in the KIldress Plumbing Rated Novice Hurdle.

SELECTIONS 

DOWNPATRICK 

John Ryan 

1.37. Lygon Lad 

2.12. Beggars Rock (n.b.) 

2.47. Might Be The One 

3.22. Burlington House 

3.57. Mr Master Mac 

4.28. Kalsman 

5.02. Anodandawink 

5.37. Orderly Conduct 

Next Best 

1.37. World As One 

2.12. Dairy Force 

2.47. Mercurial Sea 

3.22. Jodoro 

3.57. Luker’s Tipple 

4.28. Whispering Willow 

5.02. Driveonwill 

5.37. S T Hamo 

DUNDALK

John Ryan 

5.25. Hanney Boy 

6.00. Kindacan 

6.30. Kc Bear 

7.00. Starflow 

7.30. Pavilion 

8.00.Syosset 

8.30.Numantia (nap) 

Next Best 

5.25. Supreme Lord 

6.00.The Pipeman 

6.30. Faoladh 

7.00. Usuario Amigo 

7.30. Kilcrea Rock 

8.00. Chloe’s Boy 

8.30. Ask Me Again