Dundalk (AW) 5:25 Verdict

Hanney Boy has the highest OR (94) of the field and his form figures 223317 show consistent placing before a recent win, culminating in the most recent "1" - clear evidence he's progressing and gets his head in front. He was freshened with a break and now returns with first-time cheekpieces, a positive booking angle from a small yard punching above its weight with a claimer aboard suggesting they fancy running well. The 27-day gap since last run is reasonable, not stale. Walk On Harry (831) is the obvious market rival - improving with a recent win - but his best form includes an 8 and he's stepping up in class facing this deeper field; tongue tie today could indicate a breathing issue being managed rather than a to a clear leap forward. Supreme Lord and Force Noir are from the same Amo Racing/De Aguiar yard - Supreme Lord's 35517 is moderate, Force Noir's 210 is interesting but he's had a long 90-day layoff and only 3 starts, unproven strictly at this trip against this quality. Cyclone Code ran just yesterday - quick backup could work for a fit, well-tuned sprinter, but his OR of 80 is lowest of consequence and 6634 figures aren't inspiring. Monologue is unexposed with only one run (a 4th) and unknown OR - too speculative to trust over one proven course winner. Hanney Boy's rating, trajectory and blinkers-type headgear addition make him the most convincing on pure form measured against the rest, and he looks the value versus a leading market well-fancied on last-time-out romance rather than substance.