Astronomer© Photo Healy Racing
Astronomer bids to continue his winning streak in the feature event at Dundalk on Friday evening.
Aidan O'Brien 's colt has really grasped the nettle since finishing fourth on his Curragh debut in the spring, opening his account at the Galway Festival before landing valuable handicaps at Bellewstown and Listowel.
His seven-length demolition job at the latter venue earned him a new mark of 106 and with the 93-rated Boho from Jessica Harrington’s yard seemingly his main threat, it will be disappointing if Astronomer does not complete his four-timer in the Dundalk Stadium - Light Up Your Night Race.
Astronomer is one of three runners on the card for the Ballydoyle maestro. Royal Navy Warship looks a leading contender for the Dundalk Floodlit Friday Nights Handicap, while Coral Beach has her sights lowered significantly in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden.
The daughter of Zoffany struggled to make an impact in Listed company at Leopardstown last weekend, but previous placed efforts at Naas, Navan, Listowel, Fairyhouse and Galway read well in the context of this race.
Joseph O'Brien has his string in sensational form, with his four-timer at Galway on Tuesday following a terrific haul of nine winners during last week’s Harvest Festival at Listowel.
The County Kilkenny handler saddles four runners at Dundalk and the pick of them could be Lady Godiva in the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship Claiming Maiden.
The Camelot filly was bought out of Richard Hannon's yard for the relatively modest sum of just 11,000 guineas last October and overall she has perhaps been a touch disappointing.
She has not yet managed to get her head in front after 10 starts for her current connections, but placed efforts at Sligo and Bellewstown suggest she is capable of landing a minor race such as this.
The fact her official rating of 65 sets the standard in this particular race tells you everything you need to know about the strength in depth on show in what is a seriously modest affair.
