The Christmas Party Nights claiming race at Dundalk Stadium drew eight runners over 6f on Polytrack, with the contest set to go off at 16:05, Sporting Life reported. Apache Outlaw was installed as the 11/10 favorite for the 3YO-plus claimer, a race that offered the six-year-old his first run in this grade after a series of turf handicap efforts.
Apache Outlaw is back at the scene of his last two victories, according to Sporting Life’s analysis, and enters off a mark of 84 with Reese Holohan booked to ride for trainer A McGuinness.
Apache Outlaw and @rholohan32 led home a 1-2 for @adomcguinness1 in the opening claimer @DundalkStadium pic.twitter.com/72RbJMAPwt
Sporting Life noted that while Apache Outlaw hasn’t been firing in turf handicaps, the drop into claiming company at Dundalk presents a more favorable scenario, particularly with the horse carrying 9-10.
Dundalk Victories in October and January Anchor the Favorite’s Form
Irishracing.com’s records show the horse won a 7f handicap at Dundalk on 10th October 25 by 2.5 lengths, and followed up with another success over 7f at the same track on 9th January 26, winning by 2.75 lengths from Neo Smart and Salah Belle.
Claims after R1 @DundalkStadium: Saint Acclaim claimed by Jordan Kidd to be trained by Jordan Kidd. Apache Outlaw claimed by James McAuley to be trained by Dennis Hogan. Go Athletico claimed by J Fairhurst to be trained by Ado McGuinness.
Those wins came within a sequence that also included a second-place finish over 1m at Dundalk on 26th September 25, establishing a pattern of success at the stadium.
Saint Acclaim and Go Athletico Provide the Main Opposition
Saint Acclaim, priced at 9/4, was flagged by Sporting Life as a potential danger despite being lightly raced, while Go Athletico at 7/2 completes the front of the market. The remaining runners spread from Venetian at 16/1 out to Aughlish at 66/1, with the field including dual Group 3 winner CD and a Bath handicap winner among the eight declared.
"Nice weight. I suppose we were struggling with this horse, he hasn't won in a couple of years, and we have been struggling with him big-time. It just looked a nice opportunity," @adomcguinness1 on Apache Outlaw @DundalkStadium
Eight Runners Line Up for 16:05 Polytrack Claimer
The race is run on the standard surface over six furlongs, with weights ranging from 9-10 for Apache Outlaw down to 8-10. Jockeys booked include Alan Casey on CD and Luke McAteer on the Bath winner, with the 6f claiming race representing a test at sprint trip for horses dropping into claiming company.
Questions on the Dundalk Christmas Claimer
Sporting Life reports the horse is back at the scene of his last two wins and gets his first run in a claimer, conditions that suit him even after lesser efforts in turf handicaps.
The Christmas Party Nights claimer is run over 6f on Polytrack with eight runners, starting at 16:05.
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