Dundalk Preview

As the race for the jockeys' title nears its conclusion, Johnny Murtagh takes a seven-winner lead into Friday's meeting and starts off with Romeo's On Fire in the opening Group Discounts At Dundalk Stadium Race (6.30).

Ger Lyons' five-year-old is a major player and the only opponent ahead of him on official ratings is Russian Empress - the mount of Murtagh's championship rival Pat Smullen.

Murtagh just failed to reward favourite-backers on Iron Major here last week, but the pair bid to defy a 2lb higher mark in the Dining Specials At Dundalk Stadium Nursery.

He should have the measure of third Fait Accompli on that evidence, but Rock Pipit earned her top-weight with a victory at this venue recently and is a definite threat.

Lyons has multiple runners in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden, but Murtagh's mount Shirley Blake is definitely the one to beat judging by her two placed efforts here.

Miss Faustina and Hen Night aren't without chances, while Tommy Stack's Moriches makes most appeal of the newcomers.

Excelerate is the highest-rated horse on show at the fixture and goes to post for the bookings@dundalkstadium.com Race, in which he probably has Settigano to beat.

Impressionist Art had the reopposing Moon Luck and Senor Tommie behind when chasing home Duaiseoir last week and deserves a change of luck in the Crowne Plaza Race & Stay Handicap. Spring Hawk is the one he has most to fear from.

The biggest prize of the evening goes to the winner of the Buy Your Sonny Knowles Book Handicap and Bobs Pride reverts from jumping fences.

He's still weighted to go close in this sphere but this contest is ultra-competitive, while the concluding Crowne Plaza Jockey & Trainer Championship Handicap sees a rematch between Space Race and Inis Ceithleann, who were separated by two and a half lengths when first and second respectively here last week.