Sabrina Harty© Photo Healy Racing
Ned's Indian will earn himself a break after one final Dundalk outing in a competitive Crowne Plaza Hotel Race & Stay Handicap on Friday night.
Sabrina Harty 's gelding has been a regular visitor to the County Louth Polytrack all winter and faces a quick rematch with Little Arrows who beat him half a length last week.
"He has taken his racing really well and is really thriving on it. He's a genuine type and is eating better and getting stronger looking every day. We were going to run him over hurdles at Leopardstown over Christmas but I think the ground has gone for him and he'll have a holiday after this," said Harty.
"He's been slow to mature and last year was coming back with sore shins all the time. He's a small, light framed horse but has been improving all this year and hopefully will be a nicer horse this time next year. He is well drawn and he likes to be up with the pace and not be behind the kickback. It looks a competitive race, but he's in great form."
Ken Condon is not thrilled about a 5lb rise for Little Arrows, saying: "He seems fine after last week when he gained a well-deserved win. I just felt the handicapper over-reacted after his win, though. I don't usually crib about those things but it was a rated race he won and I felt the penalty he got was a bit harsh.
"If he (the handicapper) is right, he'll be competitive though. He's very well and should run a good race."
Pat Martin took Vote Of Confidence over from Andy Oliver after a course and distance success in late October, and his new charge was sixth on his stable debut.
"He'll come on for his first run for us the last day as we only had him a week then. We're trying him in a tongue-tie as we feel it will help - he had a wind operation before he ever ran. He has a bit to find on the last run but the form of his handicap win in November before then worked out very well and I expect him to be involved," said Martin. That's Plenty won three in a row, once at Dundalk and twice at Wolverhampton, but was well-beaten back at Dunstall Park three weeks ago.
"He has top weight and is in good form. He has come to himself over the last few months but he disappointed us the last day when I don't know what happened to him. Six is a nice draw around there over this trip," said trainer Pat Shanahan.
Eddie Lynam 's Super Sling is about the least exposed in the field and his trainer said: "He ran a good race the last day and seems well. He is by Peintre Celebre and is from a middle-distance family and got the trip well the last day and shouldn't have any problem with the draw (three)."
Thomas Weekes
