Dundalk preview: Karazhal looks set for return to winning ways

That was in mid-September, and just a month later he returned to this track for a nursery and ran a superb race to be beaten just three parts of a length into fourth place behind Nyman, who re-opposes.

He was giving 8lbs to the winner that day and even accounting for Wayne Hassett’s 5lb claim aboard Nyman, the selection is 11lbs better off, which should be more than enough to reverse the form. He may face tougher tasks from other quarters, but his latest run was another step in the right direction and if he can continue in that sort of form, he will take beating.

The most interesting of his rivals is the once-raced Donna Nook, who comes here off a near five-month absence. Ger Lyons’ filly contested a decent maiden that day, at Leopardstown, and while she could never get competitive, she was noted making good late progress into eighth place behind And So To Bed. The extra half-furlong of this race ought to be a positive for the Juddmonte filly, but she has a tricky draw and must stay in touch early.

Tommy McJohn, a nursery winner having his first outing for Gavin Cromwell, is interesting, though his suitability to the step up to seven furlongs is unknown.

Joseph O’Brien and Wayne Hassett can take the following race, the Now Racing Every Wednesday At Dundalk Nursery, with Temps Leve. Last time out, in a similar race, the filly ran into plenty of trouble in running and, in the circumstances, did well to be beaten just four lengths behind Ja’marr. She won’t need to improve to be competitive here and, in the absence of bad luck, should go very close.