dundalk 13th Apr

Dundalk stages another all-weather flat meeting on Friday night with the Crowne Plaza Race & Stay Package Handicap the pick of a seven-race card.

Track specialist Banna Boirche is sure to prove popular following her defeat of the reopposing Billyford here nine days and only a 3lb rise in the weights certainly gives her a chance again, while Elusive Ridge will be expected to strip fitter from his seasonal reappearance effort here last month.

Vastitas, an all-the-way winner at Leopardstown recently, is also worthy of consideration in a good quality renewal.

Racing begins at 6.15 with the Group Discounts At Dundalk Claiming Race, which has the look of a highly competitive affair despite only four going to post. There is nothing to separate Spin Of A Coin and Akasaka while Baitsileir was no match for the latter over a mile here last time but should fancy his chances of getting closer tonight with the step back up in trip expected to suit.

Carefree Smile makes a welcome return to action in the Dundalk Stadium On Facebook Handicap and Dermot Weld's mare is attractively treated now as she takes on recent track winner Aquilonius, who tackles an intermediate trip for the first time tonight.

Aidan O'Brien has endured a quiet start to the season so far, so a watching brief might be best advised for the beautifully-bred newcomer Ernest Hemingway who takes on a couple of more experienced promising types in Handazan and Teodolite in the Irish Stallions Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden.

The Crossmaglen All-Ireland Champions Maiden doesn't look quite as strong, with the experienced Ahimsa probably the pick, while the concluding Racing At Dundalk Handicap provides tricky puzzle for punters to finish with, as Copper Dock, Footprint, Battleroftheboyne, Footprint and Ferryview Place all hold claims.