Review dundalk 26th Jan

Aidan O'Brien put Clear Skies in the Winter Derby earlier this week, and the entry looks more than justified after she laughed at her opponents in the Phone Alarms Handicap at Dundalk.

The 11-8 favourite was back over an extended mile and a quarter after two miles found her out last month, but she travelled like a classy mare and Donnacha O'Brien switched her to the inside to make her challenge in the straight.

Having raced in fourth, she was in front in a matter of strides, and O'Brien jnr hardly had to break sweat, yet she still strolled five and a half lengths away from Sharjah < Settle For Bay is another with a really bright future, and he completed a four-timer in the D Hotel, Drogheda Handicap.

The David Marnane-trained 11-8 favourite kicked past tearaway leader Sheisdiesel a furlong out and crossed the line with a length and three-quarters in hand of Red Avenger < Brave Display stepped forward markedly from his performance here last week to nail Plough Boy on the line in the Dundalk Business Club 2018 Handicap.

The 11-2 shot had a few of these in front of him over course and distance but recaptured his best form, prevailing by a neck.< Florista hardly leapt off the page prior to the Staunton Office Supplies Irish EBF Fillies Maiden, but that didn't stop her making a winning debut.

The 33-1 shot was brought with a well-timed challenge by Robbie Downey to see off Bonnie Baugh by a length.< Nimitz arrived at the NR Rubber Products Handicap as a 13-race maiden but punters sent him off the 11-4 favourite and he got up late to deny John Honeyman by three-quarters of a length.< The Phantom Punch made all in the Racing Post Apprentice Maiden, while divisions one and two of the Horseware Ireland Handicap went to Three Majors and Bluesbreaker respectively.