Um Wadi
Um Wadi did well to get as close as she got in the seven-furlong handicap at Dundalk on Friday evening. She was settled out the back of the field by Joey Sheridan through the early part of the race, behind a moderate pace that Colin Keane set on Venetian. Still last as they turned for home, she had to check early in the home straight before switching to the far side and staying on well through the final two furlongs. The winner and the second, Bishopton and Venetian, occupied the first two places from early, and Um Wadi did really well to stay on well on the far side to get up for third place in front of Spinning Around, who also raced handily and challenged early, beaten just over a length in the end.
It was a nice performance from Joseph O'Brien's mare on her first run since she was well beaten when sent off as favourite for a fillies' handicap at Navan in October. The vet reported that she had blood in both nostrils after that Navan race, so you can obviously allow her that and, given a nice break by her trainer after that, it was good to see her return in good form here. A winner over an extended mile in France as a juvenile, this was just her third run for Joseph O'Brien, she wasn't beaten far in the Premier Autumn Fillies' Handicap at Leopardstown on Irish Champions Weekend on her first run in Ireland, so it will be interesting to monitor her progress from here. The first foal out of a mare who won over a mile, a fast-run seven furlongs should suit her well, and she will also be of interest when she steps back up to a mile. She has the potential to go beyond her handicap rating of 78.
Dundalk, 27th March 2026
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