Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
GO TO TOP DEC Winners expected for Mcdonogh and Lordan
LEADING jockeys Declan Mcdonogh and Wayne Lordan could be the men to follow as Dundalk plays host to its first fixture of 2019.
Both riders were in good form prior to the Christmas break and Mcdonogh is fancied to renew his winning partnership with Gordon Elliott’s Markhan tonight.
The versatile six-year-old lines up in the featured Betvictor Handicap over a mile and a half and he did win over this course and distance just over two weeks ago.
On that occasion Markhan had just a nose to spare over Itsalonglongroad but he is probably better than the bare result would suggest.
Markhan was unable to follow up at this track two days later but that race was definitely not run to suit and his third place there is best ignored.
A five pounds rise in the weights for his recent success doesn’t look excessive, especially considering that he was once rated as a high as 94.
Mcdonogh could also strike in the following older horses maiden where he teams up with the Dermot Weld-trained Bright Eyed.
The Weld string have been in fine heart for the last couple of months and this filly is well worth taking a chance on.
She showed promise on her debut at Leopardstown in June and looked a certain maiden winner when coming up just a neck short at Listowel a few months later.
On her final start last year she finished down the field in a Gowran maiden but that run came just nine days after Listowel and the quick return to action may have been too much for her.
Lordan can get off the mark for the evening when he teams up with the Fozzy Stack-trained Empire Line in the six furlong maiden.
This colt has shown promise on both his visits to this track and on his second outing here he chased home Playa Del Puente in a seven furlong maiden in mid-october.
The slightly shorter trip shouldn’t be a problem and the last run would suggest that he is more than good enough.
Lordan can also make his mark aboard Spanish Dawn who he partnered to victory over this course and distance two weeks ago.
The five-year-old looked to enjoy being ridden from off the pace that day and similar tactics could see her add to her tally.
In the opening sprint handicap Stanhope makes plenty of appeal as he bids to win another five furlong dash.
Spanish Soprano looked as though a shorter trip might suit when she last ran and she could be the answer in the first of the 45-65 rated handicaps.