Force outclasses his Dundalk rivals The winner of the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2023, Valiant Force outclassed his three rivals in the Book Online @DundalkStadium.com Race. While failing to make an impact on the turf last season, the Adrian Murray-trained four-year-old got back to winning ways on the all-weather in October, since finishing a close fourth in Group 3 company. The clear market leader this evening at 8/11, the roan colt made all under Wayne Lordan and readily increased his advantage when ridden with over a furlong to go, eventually coming home four and three quarters of a length to the good. Admirable 10-year-old Harry's Bar (2/1 from 9/2 early) filled the runner-up spot, while the easy-to-back Big Gossey was another two and three quarters of a length back in third. "Wayne was saying he will improve more, he said he gave a nice bit of a heave a furlong out. Obviously, there is more there," Murray commented. "He finished very well. "When he came back from America, he was a bit off colour and it took a while to build him up and to build his confidence again. We are on the road now to getting there with him. "There's a stakes race in Cork at the beginning of the turf (season), so maybe something like that. Otherwise, there is a race in Newcastle for him on Good Friday." Additional reporting by Michael Graham
