Political to continue all-weather Policy Political Policy has done Gavin Cromwell proud by winning four times at Dundalk in recent months, and the progressive gelding is in action again under the lights in the featured Christmas Race & Dine Packages Handicap on Friday evening. The Balrath trainer, who is regularly seen at Gordon Elliott's yard in his other role as a farrier, has enjoyed a golden run under both codes this year. Conor McGovern partnered Political Policy to the latest of his victories, and the 7lb claimer again takes the mount in this €24,000 event over what is probably his ideal trip of a mile. Dangers abound among his 10 rivals, including the ultra consistent Toccata Blue, the Aidan O'Brien-trained Bishan Bedi and another course and distance winner in top-weight Hes Our Music. O'Brien has seven runners in total on the card, and most of the septet merit a second look. Stone Mountain is an intriguing runner in the Christmas Party Packages At Dundalk Stadium Nursery as the son of Fastnet Rock has not been seen since running behind Round Two in the Listed Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh in May. Donnacha O'Brien takes the mount as he bids to give weight all round to five rivals, while O'Brien's youngest son has further interesting handicap rides on Udogo and Credit The Giver. The latter holds strong claims in division two of the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship Apprentice Handicap, while Donnacha's sister Ana should go well aboard Sea Of Blue in division one of that event. The master of Ballydoyle introduces two newcomers in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden including Queen Of India, a half-sister to Beethoven who sprang a 33/1 shock for the yard in the Dewhurst Stakes six years ago. Double Espresso is a rare juvenile runner for Henry de Bromhead in this mile maiden, and must have a solid chance following a promising debut here last month.
