Watersmeet on Fast-Track at Dundalk

The countdown is on with the All-Weather Championships at Lingfield on Good Friday just three weeks away, and the latest Fast-Track Qualifier takes place on the Polytrack at Dundalk this evening.

Mark Johnston went close with Turbine here last month, and the master of Kingsley House now sends over Watersmeet for the Coral.ie Race.

The Dansili gelding gained the fifth and most significant success of his career to date when landing a valuable handicap at Newmarket last year.

Joe Fanning 's mount should benefit from his latest outing, when he weakened inside the final furlong in another Fast-Track Qualifier at Lingfield last month.

Just five go to post in this extended 10-furlong event but none of the quintet can be discounted.

Recent course winner Mandatario is joined by the progressive Political Policy with Shalaman and Vivat Rex completing the line-up.

Shalaman is trained by David Marnane, who said: "We tried Shalaman over a couple of miles the last day to see if he would get it but I wasn't convinced.

"We are dropping back to a trip that we know he can perform at. This is his third run and will qualify him for Good Friday which is where we want to go, all being well.

"He has got to run at the least a very solid race and hopefully he can win. It is a similar race to the last day but I am hoping there will be more pace."

There is further British interest on this seven-race card, with Sir Mark Prescott sending over Bear Faced in the Big Bad Bob Race.

Prescott has his string in good form at present, with eight winners from his last 16 runners producing an impressive 50 per cent strike-rate.

Lingfield maiden winner Bear Faced has most to fear from the Jim Bolger-trained Clear Cut who twice travelled over to Newmarket last autumn and was just denied last time in a maiden.

Keith Clarke has taken out an amateur licence recently to take the mount on Poitin and the Co. Meath trainer will be hoping the six-year-old mare can complete a hat-trick in the Bet And Watch Irish And UK Racing Live At Coral.ie (Q.R.) Handicap.