It’s the first Friday at Dundalk of 2026 and Fran is sweet on Diamond Exchange in the last.
Fran’s Friday treble: Goldinthesea, Astronomically & Diamond Exchange
Fran’s each-way double: Morning Approach & My Vonnie
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Prairie Girl is a course and distance winner who finished second behind the reopposing Buddy Batt at Dundalk last month. Prairie Girl was first past the post that day but she was subsequently disqualified and dropped back to second. I can see Prairie Girl getting home first again given her advantage in the weights compared to Buddy Batt.
This is a wide open race and I’ve landed on Voice Of Reason for William Delahunty. He was very game when winning twice at Dundalk at the back end of last year. He ran a cracking race over two miles last time but he didn’t see out the trip. He’s dropping back to 1m 4f on Friday and that will suit. He’s also got a good draw in stall three.
Flanker Jet ran well on his debut at the Curragh but he looked a little weak at Dundalk in November when finishing second so I’m siding with Goldinthesea. He finished third on his debut at Dundalk and the form of that race looks strong. He can step forward and use that experience so he looks the one to beat.
Keep an eye on market moves for Blanc De Blanc as that will tell all given he cost $575,000! Astronomically has decent form having finished second at Dundalk last time out. The step up in trip will suit and she sets the standard. She should be hard to beat with Paddy Harnett claiming 5lbs.
Beat The Devil should be bang there in the mix while Morning Approach and La Campanella should be suited by how this race will be run. I’m with Morning Approach as an each-way shout. She’s a course and distance winner and has a kind draw in stall seven. The strong pace will suit her and she can pick off her rivals late on.
18:15 – My Vonnie (each-way)
My Vonnie is worth keeping on side. I’ve been impressed with her runs despite being a bit green. Dropping down to a mile will suit and she’s an each-way selection with Rory Mulligan claiming 7lbs. She can run a big race for the local trainer Maria Rice.
Adrian McGuinness has Clonmacash and Oiche Rua. They’re both of interest but the former is in stall 14 which puts him on the back foot. Oiche Rua is a course and distance winner who has good form. She shaped better than the result at Dundalk last time and if she’s on her best behaviour, she’s dangerous. If she breaks well, she will make her move late on.
Diamond Exchange ran a cracker when second at Leopardstown in May last year. If she can repeat anything similar to that run, she’ll be hard to beat. She’s been off the track for six months and she’s making her polytrack debut but she’s the one to beat.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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