Currawood looking all set to open his account at Dundalk
The remaining seven races are all handicaps and feature many of the stars of the winter series, among them Denis Hogan’s Sporting Hero, who has must shoulder top weight in the opening five-furlong handicap. Picture: Healy Racing
Currawood should give Paddy Twomey his first win of 2025 in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden, the only non-handicap on ‘Finals Night’ in Dundalk.
This Acclamation colt earned an official mark of 95 thanks to three placed efforts as a juvenile and, although the addition of first-time cheekpieces is a slight concern, he should be more than capable of a maiden success.
Twomey’s charge made a hugely promising debut in a Curragh maiden on Derby weekend last June, shaping like a certain future winner in finishing third to the Dermot Weld-trained Hazdann, with a host of subsequent winners behind.
He returned to headquarters three weeks later and again performed creditably but, having raced prominently, was headed close to home and beaten by two and a quarter lengths by subsequent Group 3 winner and current Guineas and Derby favourite The Lion In Winter.
Currawood was expected to make it third time lucky in a Naas maiden on his final juvenile start but, dropping back to six furlongs, was denied in the closing stages by another Ballydoyle inmate Antelope Canyon, who went on to finish second in the Goffs Million and the Group 3 ‘Killavullan’ at Leopardstown.
In the context of a polytrack maiden in March, that looks outstanding form. And, despite reservations about the cheekpieces, he should open his account.
The remaining seven races are all handicaps and feature many of the stars of the winter series, among them Denis Hogan’s Sporting Hero, who has must shoulder top weight in the opening five-furlong handicap.
This five-year-old Bobby’s Kitten gelding is seeking a course and distance hat-trick, having wontriumphed twice last month.
He scored convincingly off 75 on the first occasion and followed-up a week later, off a 7lb higher mark, when outpointing veteran Big Gossey and Never Shout Never.
Sunday’s Curragh winner Laugh A Minute filled fourth spot that night.
And the selection, who only does enough in his races, must defy a 3lb higher mark this time in his bid to confirm form with Never Shout Never (faded late over six furlongs last time), Jered Maddox (fifth), and Dontspoilasale (seventh).
Another prolific winner, the David Marnane-trained Amemri, a three-time winner over seven furlongs over the winter, has obvious claims in her bid for a four-timer in the six-furlong handicap.
Up a total of 16lb for her three wins, Amemri is suited by coming from off the pace and, if she’s able to stay in touch, might strike late under Luke McAteer.
John Ryan
4.45 Sporting Hero (nb)
5.15 Amemri
5.45 Currawood (Nap)
6.15 Endless Dawn
6.45 Shoot To Kill
7.15 Harry The Rogue
7.45 Genoah
8.15 Deed Pole
4.45 Never Shout Never
5.15 Rattletheonionbag
5.45 No Such Thing
6.15 Sunriseontheboyne
6.45 Clonmacash
7.15 Miss Abby Jools
7.45 Annaghmccanns
8.15 Porsche Lad
