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1. 17:00 Friday Night Lights At Dundalk Handicap (0-60)

(5f, Standard All Weather Handicap, 3yo+, 13 Runners)

Rank	Horse Name	Age	Total TimeWise Rating
1	Lismacbryan Hill (IRE)	4	229.9101
2	Ballysax Lil Mick (IRE)	7	229.0703

Recent Form and Comments

• Lismacbryan Hill (IRE): This horse is a reserve. They were behind some of these rivals at Naas before securing a win in a claimer at Laytown. They ran a close fifth here last time (6f) following a hike up the weights, and the return to 5f might be interesting. Days since ran: 18. OR 53.
• Ballysax Lil Mick (IRE): This 7yo gelding belatedly got off the mark at Tipperary. They ran reasonably well at Naas subsequently, finishing not far behind Lismacbryan and Rift Valley. They have a bit to prove on the All Weather (AW) surface, but are considered. Days since ran: 51. OR 52.

Spotlight Verdict

A chance is taken on RIFT VALLEY despite the wide draw, as she has made a good start for her new yard, having been in the mix at Naas and then running well after starting slowly at Lingfield. Lismacbryan is closely matched with the selection and she could stage a revival in the new blinkers. Realtin Fantasy was flying too high last time and also has claims.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups: The race is for 3yo+ rated 0-60.
• Fate of Favourites: Rift Valley (5-1) is the morning line favourite. Ballysax Lil Mick is 8-1.
• Trainer Records (W-PL-R, course 14 days): Trainer S Davis holds a 2-39 course record. Trainer D Hogan (Lismacbryan Hill) has a 64% strike rate in the last 14 days (49-662 career wins).

Assessment of Top Two Chances

Horse Name	Strengths	Weaknesses	Suitability
Lismacbryan Hill (IRE) (Top Rated)	Recent winner (claimer at Laytown). Showed competitive form despite a weights hike. Return to 5f might be suitable.	Entered as a reserve.	Suitable if accepted to run, especially back at 5f following a competitive run at 6f.
Ballysax Lil Mick (IRE) (2nd Rated)	Recently broke his maiden at Tipperary. Has proven comparable form to Rift Valley and Lismacbryan (in the same Naas race).	Has “bit to prove on the AW” surface. Ran 51 days ago.	Potential contender if he handles the AW, based on recent comparable turf form.

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2. 17:35 Celebrate Your Special Occasion At Dundalk Stadium Race

(5f, Standard All Weather Non Handicap, 3yo+, 6 Runners)

Rank	Horse Name	Age	Total TimeWise Rating
1	Songhai (IRE)	3	341.9506
2	Valiant Force (USA)	4	324.8897

Recent Form and Comments

• Songhai (IRE): She has yet to add to her 6f debut win at this venue. She is running well in defeat in stakes company this season. Her rating of 98 might underestimate her ability, and the return to Dundalk is viewed as a positive. Running style: Held up (H). Days since ran: 44. OR 98.
• Valiant Force (USA): This horse is a three-time course winner (at 5f, 6f, and 1m). He is the top-rated horse in the race at 106. He has shown solid efforts in defeat in 5f and 6f handicaps recently, including finishing 2l behind Eclairage while conceding 25lb. Running style: Pressed leaders (P). Days since ran: 60. OR 106.

Spotlight Verdict

It is hard to get away from the claims of the top-rated VALIANT FORCE (nap) who should be tough to topple on these terms. Fandom needs to prove his effectiveness on this new surface so Songhai might be the one that gives the selection most to think about.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups: The race is for 3yo+ who have not won a Listed or Group race since January 1st, 2025.
• Fate of Favourites: Valiant Force is the clear morning line favourite at 11-8.
• Trainer Records (W-PL-R, course 14 days): Trainer J Murtagh (Songhai) has a career rating of 12.7769. Trainer A Murray (Valiant Force) has a 29-244 career record and 1-13 course record in the last 14 days.

Assessment of Top Two Chances

Horse Name	Strengths	Weaknesses	Suitability
Songhai (IRE) (Top Rated)	High overall TimeWise rating. Return to Dundalk is a plus. RPR of 111. May be underrated by her OR (98).	Has not won since her debut. Raced 44 days ago.	Highly suitable, especially returning to the venue of her sole win and running well in stakes company. Tipped as the main danger to the favourite.
Valiant Force (USA) (2nd Rated)	Top official rating (106). Excellent course record (three-time winner). Showed solid form despite conceding weight in previous starts.	Conceded 25lb when beaten by Eclairage previously and is now only 20lb better off.	Highly suitable and considered tough to beat given his top rating and course expertise. Selected as the NAP (best bet).

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3. 18:10 Irishinjuredjockeys.com Nursery Handicap

(6f, Standard All Weather Handicap, 2yo, 14 Runners)

Rank	Horse Name	Age	Total TimeWise Rating
1	Fleur De Rose (IRE)	2	257.5853
2	A La Dure	2	233.6867

Recent Form and Comments

• Fleur De Rose (IRE): Days since ran: 14. OR 70. (No specific details on recent form or associated comments found in the provided Spotlight or Raceform summaries).
• A La Dure: Showed enough in his first two races to suggest a future in nurseries. His latest backward step was likely attributed to soft ground. Running style: Held up (H). Days since ran: 34. OR 71.

Spotlight Verdict

A very open nursery. A LA DURE showed enough in his first two races to believe he’d have a future in nurseries and soft ground was a likely factor in his latest backward step. Darwin’s Angel also got stuck in the mud last time after a promising run at Down Royal and is respected with blinkers added. Spicetown is also of interest.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups: Restricted to 2yo horses.
• Fate of Favourites: Darwins Angel is the morning line favourite at 3-1.
• Trainer Records (W-PL-R, course 14 days): Trainer Donnacha O’Brien (Fleur De Rose) has a trainer rating of 9.9249.

Assessment of Top Two Chances

Horse Name	Strengths	Weaknesses	Suitability
Fleur De Rose (IRE) (Top Rated)	Highest TimeWise rating suggests strong potential. Raced 14 days ago, indicating current fitness.	Lack of explicit recent form description or comments makes detailed assessment difficult based purely on sources.	High TimeWise rating makes her a key contender based on figures.
A La Dure (2nd Rated)	Expected to improve upon his earlier runs now tackling nurseries. Had a valid excuse (soft ground) for his latest poor run.	Needs to bounce back from the backward step observed recently.	Considered a main selection possibility due to expected progression in nurseries.

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4. 19:15 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap

(7f, Standard All Weather Handicap, 3yo+ fillies & mares, 9 Runners)

Rank	Horse Name	Age	Total TimeWise Rating
1	Shakazia (IRE)	3	282.0432
2	Whispersinthewind (IRE)	4	265.6846

Recent Form and Comments

• Shakazia (IRE): She is in fine form this year, having won a Fairyhouse maiden (7f, good) in July. She followed this with a solid second on handicap debut at Gowran and has been dropped 2lb. She is making her AW debut and is trying a first-time hood (h1). Running style: Held up (H). Days since ran: 62. OR 87.
• Whispersinthewind (IRE): She is aiming for a hat-trick, following a Naas maiden win and a C&D rated race win at the end of last year. A major concern is that she has been off the track for 326 days. Her chances depend on her fitness; checking the market is advised. Running style: Held up (H). OR 86.

Spotlight Verdict

(Note: An explicit “SPOTLIGHT VERDICT” statement is not present. The following summarises the conclusion drawn in the commentary.)
Shavasi is ruled out as she needs a big career best following a 13lb rise and dropping in trip on AW debut. The two to appeal most are SHAKAZIA and Whispersinthewind.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups: Restricted to 3yo+ fillies & mares that are EBF eligible.
• Fate of Favourites: Shavasi is the favourite at 15-8. Shakazia is 4-1 and Whispersinthewind is 8-1.
• Trainer Records (W-PL-R, course 14 days): Trainer J Murtagh (Shakazia) has a trainer rating of 12.834. Trainer Donnacha O’Brien (Whispersinthewind) has a trainer rating of 10.2106.

Assessment of Top Two Chances

Horse Name	Strengths	Weaknesses	Suitability
Shakazia (IRE) (Top Rated)	In fine recent form with solid performances in maidens and handicaps. Benefited from a 2lb drop in rating.	AW debut is unknown. The effectiveness of the new hood (h1) is yet to be proven.	Rated a contender due to consistency and slight ease in handicap mark.
Whispersinthewind (IRE) (2nd Rated)	Strong previous form, including a C&D rated race win last year. Going for a hat-trick.	Extremely long absence (326 days) raises fitness concerns.	Highly suitable based on previous C&D success, provided she is race-fit.

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5. 19:45 Dundalk Stadium Handicap (0-60)

(1m, Standard All Weather Handicap, 3yo+, 14 Runners)

Rank	Horse Name	Age	Total TimeWise Rating
1	Super Exceed (IRE)	4	222.395
2	Micasso (IRE)	3	220.6486

Recent Form and Comments

• Super Exceed (IRE): He has yet to win a handicap. He ran close up last week at Killarney (soft) when dropped back to 1m. He has questions regarding his suitability for the AW surface. Running style: Led (L). Days since ran: 8. OR 61.
• Micasso (IRE): A ten-race maiden. Ran very close (“bang there”) at Cork (1m) last time in only his second run with his current headgear combination. Should run well. Running style: Pressed leaders (P). Days since ran: 14. OR 48.

Spotlight Verdict

The 3yo RISING SKY ran good races on turf and here before her excusable defeat from an uncomfortable draw at Wolverhampton. She’s dropped luckier in that respect here. Micasso is another ten-race maiden who was bang there last time at Cork and Colin Keane takes over. Johnny’s Oasis is running well.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups: The race is for 3yo+ rated 0-60.
• Fate of Favourites: Super Exceed (6-1) is the joint morning line favourite. Micasso is 4-1. Rising Sky (tipped) is 9-2.
• Trainer Records (W-PL-R, course 14 days): Trainer T Mullins (Super Exceed) has a 4-37 career record and 0-2 course record in the last 14 days.

Assessment of Top Two Chances

Horse Name	Strengths	Weaknesses	Suitability
Super Exceed (IRE) (Top Rated)	High TimeWise rating. Showed good recent form when dropped to 1m at Killarney.	Yet to win a handicap. AW suitability is questioned. Has a penalty (h).	Contender status relies on handling the AW and breaking his handicap duck.
Micasso (IRE) (2nd Rated)	Ran very well last time out at Cork. Now retains the helpful headgear combination. Top jockey Colin Keane is booked.	Is a ten-race maiden. Officially rated OR 48.	Expected to run well, showing strong recent form despite being a maiden.

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6. 20:15 Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Book Now Handicap

(1m4f, Standard All Weather Handicap, 3yo+, 11 Runners)

Rank	Horse Name	Age	Total TimeWise Rating
1	Sidiza (IRE)	4	228.7659
2	Rock Of Ireland (IRE)	4	227.2797

Recent Form and Comments

• Sidiza (IRE): AW debutante. Won a 1m2f Navan maiden in September 2024. His only subsequent run was a solid effort on handicap debut at Roscommon (10.5f, yielding) in July. Bred to appreciate this longer trip. Running style: Held up (H). Days since ran: 105. OR 79.
• Rock Of Ireland (IRE): Is a maiden (0-2 on AW, 0-12 on turf). He was beaten 5l over 10.5f here most recently, weakening late. The 2lb drop in rating and the longer trip are not considered enough to make him tempting. Running style: Pressed leaders (P). Days since ran: 18. OR 69.

Spotlight Verdict

Only 0.5l separated Voice Of Reason and BEAUTY GENERATION over C&D 25 days ago and the latter horse, who came from miles back, might be able to turn the tables. The well-handicapped Pearl Jewel is feared with Keane booked and Sidiza is also greatly respected stepped back up to a trip that should suit on breeding.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups: The race is for 3yo+ (80 = 10st).
• Fate of Favourites: Sidiza is the morning line favourite at 11-4.
• Trainer Records (W-PL-R, course 14 days): Trainer D Weld (Sidiza) has a trainer rating of 9.5801.

Assessment of Top Two Chances

Horse Name	Strengths	Weaknesses	Suitability
Sidiza (IRE) (Top Rated)	High TimeWise rating. Solid handicap debut form. Bred to handle the 1m4f distance. Respected by the Spotlight panel.	Making AW debut, suitability unknown. Has been absent for 105 days.	Potential winner if he handles the AW, given his breeding and previous handicap performance.
Rock Of Ireland (IRE) (2nd Rated)	High TimeWise rating. Raced relatively recently (18 days ago).	Long-standing maiden (0-14 combined AW/turf). Form figures suggest others are preferred; weakened late in his last attempt over 10.5f.	Others preferred due to poor strike rate and recent declining form over shorter distances here.