Dundalk (AW) 8:30 Verdict

Numantia carries the highest OR in the field (82) by some margin, and his form figures 423 show consistent placing with clear improvement across starts - a 2nd and 3rd in recent runs suggest he's crying out for this maiden win. He's by St Mark's Basilica out of Bewitched (a smart Aidan O'Brien family), trained by Donnacha O'Brien with a strong young jockey booking. The step up to 1m2f should suit given his pedigree (Dansili damsire line favours middle distances) and the fact he's already shown he stays and competes at a solid level. The 61-day layoff is a minor concern but that's often to find a suitable spot like this. Key market rivals: Ask Me Again (OR71) has been below Numantia's level with a 055 form line, and Trustmore (OR70) is similarly rated lower and unproven at this trip having shown mixed form (7-564). Scorcher's Son (76 form) for O'Brien Jr's yard is respectable but hasn't matched Numantia's rating. Given Numantia is clearly the classiest horse on official ratings and has been finishing behind subsequently useful form, he looks the most likely to progress into a winner today. The draw (3) is workable and shouldn't be an issue on the AW oval.