Get on the Near side at Dundalk

ENCOUNTERING the polytrack for the first time, Near Kettering might be capable of defying top-weight in tonight’s apprentice handicap in Dundalk for in-form Johnny Murtagh.

Successful at Redcar as a two-year-old for Luca Cumani, Near Kettering triumphed for Murtagh at Limerick in June and has been placed twice since, including a solid third to Law Girl in the Mcenery

Cup at Gowran Park. Last time, he finished sixth to Brazos in a €50,000 handicap in Killarney.

With Denis Linehan in the saddle, this Medicean gelding, dropping in class, should be tough to beat.

Star of the Dundalk action should be Aidan O’brien’s classy threeyear-old Astronomer, chasing a four-timer, in the four-runner Dundalk Stadium Light Up Your Night Race, following a maiden win in Galway and impressive handicap successes in Bellewtsown and Listowel.

He’s progressive, will be a very short-priced favourite and cannot be opposed.

In Ballinrobe, top trainers Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott should be among the winners.

Mullins has obvious claims with French import Don’t Hesitate in the modest-looking mares maiden hurdle, and newcomer Mt Leinster and Diamond Hill in the bumper. The 142-rated Montelbano sets the standard in the J J Burke’s Peugeot Chase.

Elliott will be expected to land the opening threeyear-old maiden hurdle, in which he runs three, to complicate matters.

Monkeylou, successful in a Killarney handicap off 82 last time and the mount of Davy Russell, gets the nod over stable-companion Flat To The Max, bought by Gigginstown House Stud since making a successful debut for Ger Lyons in a Navan maiden back in April.

Fozzy Stack-trained Son Of Rest will be the only Irish runner in tomorrow’s £200,000 William Hill Ayr Gold Cup.