Shane Crosse© Photo Healy Racing
Shane Crosse continues his march towards the apprentice title with five mounts on Dundalk's Wednesday afternoon card.
Crosse, with his 27 winners, leads Killian Leonard by five, with Ben Coen and Tom Madden following closely in behind.
Realistically it is going to be difficult for the chasing pack, although Crosse has a two-day careless riding ban hanging over his head.
That could rule him out of the last couple of days of the campaign, but an appeal is pending and the Tipperary youngster may yet see action at Dundalk on Friday and Naas on Sunday.
Three of his five mounts on this programme are for his boss, Joseph O’Brien, and Crosse will be hopeful of beating his good friend and rival Coen when he rides Wisdom Mind in the Book Your Christmas Party At Dundalk Handicap.
The Premier County men hail from within 20 minutes of each other, and while Coen can fancy his prospects on his uncle Andy Slattery’s Spiorad Saoirse course and distance fourth-placer from 19 days back, Wisdom Mind, could be the one.
Half an hour on and Crosse will don the Sun Bloodstock silks again, when partnering Proud And Elated for O’Brien in the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap.
This Makfi filly is first-time blinkered and it will be interesting to see how she fares going back up to this mile trip. Coen also has hopes here riding the Michael Mulvany-trained Stormy Tale
Michael Halford is finishing the season strongly and the Copper Beech Stables trainer has three runners worthy of consideration.
The Godolphin filly Intermedia may benefit from the addition of cheekpieces with Shane Foley up in the www.dundalkstadium.com Maiden.
Foley also takes the reins on Intermedia’s stable companion Luminist in the finale. The Kilkenny man will sport the famous Godolphin blue on this handicap debutant as well.
Halford’s Luna’s Luck attempts to follow up on his course and distance success from 19 days back in the Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Stadium Apprentice Handicap.
Ross Coakley takes the spin on this Vale Of York gelding.
