Dundalk (AW) Tips: Thursday 23 April 2026

Dundalk (AW) Tips: Thursday 23 April 2026

Seven races under the lights at Dundalk on a standard surface, and the card throws up some genuinely interesting angles. The all-weather rewards horses who know the track, and tonight's card is littered with course regulars and horses returning to a surface that suits. Three races stand out for punters looking for value.

5:10 — Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden (5f)

Ten runners over five furlongs, but this is effectively a two-horse race once you strip it back. Namiid sets the form standard as an eight-race maiden who ran to Listed level last August, finishing third behind Ipanema Queen at the Curragh. He was below his best at Naas in October, but he raced too keenly on soft ground that day. Gelded since, standard Dundalk going is exactly what he needs, and JP Murtagh's yard has been ticking over at a 2/13 clip in the last fortnight. He looks a banker at around evens with William Hill, though the Betfair Exchange offers 2.3 for those who want the extra edge.

The each-way alternative in a 10-runner field is Aughlish Each-Way at 8/1 with William Hill. Claire O'Connell's filly has improved with every start, was beaten only 1.5 lengths by Allsortz here 13 days ago, and showed genuine pace that day. The drop from six to five furlongs is a slight unknown, but her acceleration suggests it will not be an issue. She is the clear second string and represents live each-way value at that price in a three-place market.

7:15 — Put The Fun In Fundraising At Dundalk Maiden (1m4f)

Seven runners over a mile and four furlongs, and the market has this right. Druids Glen at 7/4 with William Hill or Coral is the one to be on. The Frankel colt is a brother to Lake Victoria, Aidan O'Brien's top-class Irish 1,000 Guineas winner, and while he has been very green in both starts to date, that greenness has been the story of his runs rather than any lack of ability. First-time cheekpieces go on tonight, and the step up to a mile and four furlongs is the key upgrade. O'Brien's yard is operating at 6/37 over the past fortnight, which is steady rather than red-hot, but Wayne Lordan takes the ride and this is a horse with a serious ceiling.

Mendez at 4/1 with Bet365 is the danger. He caught the eye on debut here over a mile 48 days ago, finishing fourth having been completely unconsidered in the market, and he was not given a hard time. The step up in trip plays to his profile. He makes each-way appeal in a seven-runner field, though the place terms of 1/4 the odds for two places reduce the value somewhat at this price. He is the main market rival to take on.

Changing Lanes is interesting on pedigree at around 11/4 with Bet365 for Joseph O'Brien, but a debut over this trip at a mile and four furlongs is a big ask for a first-timer, regardless of the breeding. The market suggests he is well regarded, but Druids Glen has racecourse experience and physical scope. Siding with the Ballydoyle colt.

7:45 — DundalkStadium.com Handicap (1m4f)

Beauparc at 11/2 with William Hill, Coral or Betfred is the selection in the feature. Gerard Keane's six-year-old mare is a dual course and distance winner, and her fourth career win here last month was convincing, beating Voice Of Reason with plenty to spare off a mark of 75. She followed that with a solid third from the same mark in her next start, which suggests she is in fine form rather than flattered by that victory. Colin Keane takes over in the saddle tonight, a notable booking, and she clearly handles standard Dundalk going.

Sir Callisto at 7/2 with William Hill or Coral is the obvious rival. The dual course and distance winner looked better than ever when winning comfortably at the start of the month, reversing form with Beauparc from a month earlier. He is 5lb higher tonight, which narrows the gap, but the trajectory is still upward and the price is fair rather than generous. If he runs his race, he wins again, but Beauparc has the superior fitness edge over the course and the yard's form looks solid.

Drucker at 13/2 with Bet365 is worth noting as an Andrew Slattery runner who has been consistent all winter. The 4/22 strike rate from the yard in recent weeks is decent, and Declan McDonogh keeps the ride. His course and distance win in February was impressive, and the bigger efforts at 2m since show the mile and four furlongs is well within range. He can fill a place.

San Andreas at 6/1 is a course regular and no one can question his consistency this year, but at ten years old and coming off a disappointing Lingfield run, the market looks about right for him. He will fill a place rather than win this.

Today's NAP