Bid Adieu© Photo Healy Racing
Shane Crosse has partnered a double and treble on his last two visits to Dundalk — and looks to have another strong book of rides on Friday night at Ireland’s all-weather track.
Tom Cooper has engaged the newly-crowned champion apprentice to ride Bid Adieu in the featured Dundalk Stadium Light Up Your Night Handicap, and the Pour Moi gelding is an interesting contender on his return to these shores.
The four-year-old is a keen going sort and made a big impression when taking his maiden for Cooper here just over a year ago, beating a smart sort in Clear Skies.
He pulled too hard when tried over timber but has done well for Richard Hughes in England since then, winning two on the level.
Bid Adieu ran well off this mark of 85 when surrendering a big lead late on at Epsom a few runs back, and it looks a rating he is capable of winning off.
His two runs on the all-weather in England came on slower surfaces — and back on the Polytrack here, he could thrive again.
The consistent Nimitz is also eye-catching in the extended 10-furlong contest, given his recent form at the track.
He won over a mile and a half here in September and has run well to collect prize money on two subsequent returns.
Crosse teams up with boss Joseph O’Brien four times on the card, and the English import Equitant looks one to note in the Floodlit Friday Nights Rated Race.
The Equiano gelding won a Chelmsford handicap for Richard Fahey last month, and makes his first start for new connections now.
O’Brien also saddles Dramatise in the seven-furlong contest. She was withdrawn from the Listed Cooley Stakes here last month after getting upset in the stalls.
The Intikhab filly sprang a 50-1 shock on her debut at Fairyhouse, and could be nicely treated off a mark of 85.
Earlier on the card, Dash D’or bids for a hat-trick of wins in the five-furlong handicap.
Kieran Cotter’s charge has really struck form in the past couple of months, winning three from four, and made a successful return to the all-weather with a convincing success a fortnight ago.
The grey filly has gone up 8lb for her latest victory and has a wide draw to overcome.
