Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap: Dundalk Racecard for April 23, 2026 The Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap at Dundalk on Thursday, April 23, 2026, features a competitive field of three-year-olds contesting a five-furlong race on the Polytrack surface. Scheduled for an off time of 17:45, the race has attracted eight runners after two non-runners were declared. Race Details The event is restricted to three-year-old horses only, run over the minimum trip of five furlongs on Dundalk’s all-weather Polytrack surface. The going is described as Standard, with a total prize fund distributed as follows: €7,200 for the winner, €2,399 for second, €1,200 for third, €600 for fourth, €361 for fifth, and €240 for sixth. Field Analysis Baby Basma, ridden by Colin Keane and trained by Eoghan O’Neill, enters the race carrying 9-10 and rated 65. A debut winner at Cork over this distance last April, she showed improvement in her most recent outing at Dundalk, finishing fourth of five in a six-furlong conditions event after an 11-month absence. Plushy, under Gary Carroll and trained by G P Cromwell, carries 9-9 with an official rating of 64. Still seeking her maiden win, she demonstrated consistent form with a third-place finish in a six-furlong handicap at Dundalk 85 days prior. Love Bomb, ridden by Billy Lee and trained by W McCreery, bears 9-7 and is rated 62. Though she won over this distance at Down Royal in September, her recent form has declined, indicating she faces a significant challenge to return to winning ways. Subiaco, with Leigh Roche in the saddle and trained by K P Cotter, carries 9-6 and holds a rating of 61. He broke his maiden over course and distance in January but disappointed in his latest start, finishing last of 15 in a heavy-ground handicap at Naas over five furlongs 32 days ago. His return to the all-weather surface is noted as a potential positive. Hooves Your Daddy, ridden by Ronan Whelan and trained by J P Fahey, carries 9-4 and is rated 59. Her recent form is modest, having beaten only one opponent in a five-furlong nursery at Down Royal six months ago. Luminessat, under James Ryan and trained by J Davison, carries 9-2 with a rating of 57. She showed progress in a six-furlong maiden at Dundalk 55 days ago, finishing fifth of 12, and is now equipped with a tongue tie for her handicap debut, suggesting connections believe she can improve. Non-Runners Two horses were withdrawn prior to the race: Stone Bear (cloth 1), a 9-12 three-year-old trained by R O’Sullivan and ridden by Siobhan Rutledge, and Gosford Queen (cloth 8), carrying 9-0 and trained by Daniel Murphy with jockey Shane Foley. Betting Forecast The forecast favored Stone Bear at 15/8, with Subiaco at 9/4, Plushy at 11/4, Baby Basma at 4/1, Luminessa at 7/1, Boston Max at 9/1, Lady Landhort at 11/1, Love Bomb at 14/1, Gosford Queen at 20/1, and Hooves Your Daddy at 33/1. Verdict Despite her withdrawal, Stone Bear was highlighted in pre-race analysis as a strong contender, having won two of her last three starts at Dundalk and being fancied to return to form after dropping to the minimum trip. Baby Basma was noted as a major threat if she builds on her recent comeback run, although Plushy was identified as another horse to consider in what was described as an intriguing handicap renewal.
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