Leading jockey prize to be decided at Dundalk Stadium tonight

Dundalk Stadium

The Dundalk Stadium Winter Series Leading Jockey prize will reach an exciting conclusion tonight with the top honour still very much up for grabs in this, the final week of the competition.

With just the one meeting left in the series, Joseph O’Brien leads with 15 wins but Conor Hoban is breathing down his neck with 14.

It will be all down to their performance tonight to determine the winner, although the leading trainer prize looks set to be wrapped up by Mick Halford, who has had 17 winners to date.

Also of interest to racing fans tonight will be the visit of Jamie Spencer, who has one ride in the Dundalk Stadium – Light Up Your Night Median Auction Maiden.

The former British champion jockey takes his sole mount of the evening on the Qatar Racing-owned Jocular, who looks to have Bint Dandy and Elogue to beat on his debut.

Gordon Elliott is double-handed in the Crowne Plaza Hotel Dundalk Race & Stay Package Handicap.

Landau looks the pick of the County Meath trainer’s duo following a brace of Polytrack victories last October when trained by Sylvester Kirk.

The four-year-old has proved below-par in three runs over timber since crossing the Irish Sea, but he should to be well suited by the the return to the all-weather.

Stablemate Knight’s Parade has been a model of consistency this winter, and he looks set for another bold showing.

Eddie Lynam bids to continue his excellent strike rate at the course in the opening Dundalk Stadium Racecourse Of The Year Rated Race (6.15), in which he saddles both Doc Holliday and Iron Major.

The last-named goes in search of a revival following a disappointing C & D effort last month, but Doc Holliday continues to ply his trade admirably, and has the assistance of talented 7lb claimer Robbie Downey.

Lynam is also represented by Armed Guard in the Easter Mid-Term Madness At Dundalk Stadium Handicap, but he might have to play second fiddle to All About Alfie.

The six-year-old was a cosy winner on his only C & D start in October, and a 9lb rise could underestimate his progression.

Merry Mast should be ideally suited by the return to one mile in the Champions Restaurant At Dundalk Stadium Handicap.

Andrew Slattery’s charge was well supported on his latest course start over seven furlongs, eventually finishing third, and he could prove himself to be ahead of the handicapper in first-time cheekpieces.

Four wins at Dundalk Stadium for Joseph O’Brien

Joseph O’Brien was in excellent form as he rode a 259-1 four-timer at Dundalk Stadium last night.

The champion jockey began the meeting with a fine positive ride on Antiques (5-2fav) in the Christmas Party Packages At Dundalk Stadium Handicap.

Joanna Morgan’s filly was soon in front and never really looked like getting caught as she held Majestic Timeline by a length and a quarter to justify favouritism for the second time in less than a week.

O’Brien had to work harder to score on Deep Speed in the Dundalk Stadium – Light Up Your Night Maiden.

The 2-1 co-favourite tracked leader Lean And Kean into the home straight before the pair knuckled down for a thrilling battle, with Paul Hickey’s representative eventually getting half a length in front close home.

O’Brien did well to get Mountain Coral (9-2) up in the Crowne Plaza Hotel Race & Stay Package Handicap.

The 2009 Scurry Handicap winner ended a two-year drought as he hit the front well inside the final furlong and was all out to hold fast-finishing favourite Miller Beach by half a length.

The young jockey’s best ride of the night came on Habesh (7-2), who looked in trouble turning for home in the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship Handicap.

Once in the straight, Eugene O’Sullivan’s gelding really began to motor and made up plenty of late ground to deny Vim by half a length.

The feature race went to Quadrivium as the 15-2 shot made a winning debut in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund (C & G) Maiden.

Closely related to some smart sorts from North America, the Henrythenavigator colt quickly went about repaying some of the $120,000 he cost connections at the Keeneland Sales with a determined victory.

David Wachman’s representative had pacesetter Vector Force in his sights rounding the home turn and showed an attitude to match his ability to wear that rival down with three quarters of a length to spare.

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Halford lands double as Dundalk Stadium celebrates its 10th birthday

Mick Halford landed a double in the two most valuable races on the Dundalk card last night, both of them ridden by Shane Foley.

It was an evening to remember at Dundalk Stadium as it celebrated the 10th anniversary of its opening on November 29th 2003.

Foley overcame a wide draw on the 5-4 favourite Princess Pearlita in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Fillies Maiden, quickly tacking across and leading before securing a convincing victory by two and three-quarter lengths.

He also led all the way on Irish Cambridgeshire runner-up Regulation in the Christmas Race & Dine Packages Handicap, though the 15-8 favourite had to pull out the stops to hold off market rival Toccata Blue before winning by a length and a quarter.

Chris Hayes and Kevin Prendergast were also in double form, striking first when 13-2 chance Danseur De Feu took the second division of the Dundalk Stadium Light Up Your Night Handicap by a length and three-quarters, breaking her duck at the 11th attempt.

They followed up with Crafty Codger in the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship Nursery.

The 7-4 favourite, without a win in nine previous runs, came down the outside to lead at the two pole before being driven a length and a half clear of outsider Fight U For It, who had led at the top of the straight.

Punters who took the hint as champion jockey Joseph O’Brien linked up with Gordon Elliott were rewarded when the tough five-year-old Goal landed his fifth success of the year in the Christmas Parties At Dundalk Handicap.

O’Brien rode a patient race on the 6-1 chance and swept down the outside to chase Ned’s Indian hard into the final furlong before getting on top to win by a length and a quarter.

Takashi Kodama’s 11-4 shot Hoe Hoe was an eyecatcher when fourth on her debut at the track at the beginning of the month and she stepped up on that to take the Floodlit Friday Nights At Dundalk Maiden, clearing away under Fran Berry to win by two lengths.