McAuley has strong hand in Dundalk contest The impeccably-bred Strong Force is one of three runners for trainer James McAuley in the Scenic Carlingford Ferry Race at Dundalk on Sunday. The five-year-old is a half-brother to a brilliant Cracksman by the great Sea The Stars and was a winner on the Flat a couple of years ago when trained by Saeed bin Suroor. He has not been seen in competitive action since November 2016 and McAuley, who also saddles Kerosin and Important Message in a five-runner contest, expects him to improve for the run. He said: “We’re pot hunting, more than anything. “Kerosin would definitely have the best chance of the three. He ran a good race to finish third in a good handicap in Limerick last time. “Strong Force is probably the best horse, but he’s been off the track for a long time and will definitely come on for the run. “He’s a half-brother to Cracksman by Sea The Stars and won a race when he was with Godolphin. “I think he got injured on his last run for them and then he injured his pelvis while he was with me. “Touch wood he’s all good now, so hopefully he’ll progress and he’s one to look forward to.” Joseph O’Brien’s Light Pillar and Sharjah from Andrew Slattery’s yard complete the line-up. With a total prize fund of 31,000 euro up for grabs, the most valuable race on the card is the concluding Meridian Security Irish EBF Fillies Handicap. A field of 10 runners have been declared for the extended 10-furlong contest and John McConnell’s Pearl Of The West bids to concede weight all round off the back of winning over hurdles at Carlisle on her latest appearance. The daughter of Teofilo won twice on the level last season when trained by Pat Fahy, including a handicap success at the Galway Festival. She finished fourth on her hurdling debut and first start for McConnell at Ludlow in February before opening her account in Cumbria the following month. Pearl Of The West’s opponents include course regular Nivvo and Smart Stinger, who has been off the track since winning here in December. Several course winners contest the Sean Judge Memorial Handicap including Edward Lynam’s Masalai, Jarlath Fahey’s The Lords Walk and the Pat Flynn-trained Sleepy Head. Wishing Star, trained by Fozzy Stack, was third behind 1000 Guineas contender I Can Fly here in September and is bound to be popular on her first start since in the LMFM Fillies Maiden
