James Griffin brings you all of his tips and picks for today’s racing coming your way from Dundalk Stadium.
Race 1 – 18:55
The first of 8 races is the
blink and you’ll miss it handicap. Four last time out winners line up with
ECCLESIASTICAL taking slight preference. Only 12 runs to his name, this 4yo won
snugly by a neck but he was held up out the back in a fast run race and his run
through wasn’t the clearest so that performance can be marked up. He holds BIG
GOSSEY on that run. The latter name has a wide draw but is quickly into stride.
If he doesn’t get hassled too much on the front end he’ll be the one to chase
home the selection.
SELECTION: ECCLESIASTICAL
DANGER: BIG GOSSEY.
Race 2 – 19:25
Not a great heat on paper
and one not to be getting too involved in. Ger Lyons starts off NAKAO, a
£125,000 purchase, in a claimer. There’s two ways to look at this. Firstly, the
trainer thinks this could be a soft touch for one with such a price tag and as
those with form aren’t of a high level, his charge may win here on route to
getting claimed and it’s a double win money wise for the owner with the prize
money and the claim money OR is ability doesn’t match the price tag so he’s in
here as a shop window hoping someone else will see him as a bargain. I’m going
to come down on the side of the first theory. Ger is a master at placing horses
in claimers and this lad may well know his job well enough even though he’s
first time out. OH SAY isn’t progressing but this looks his level and if NAKAO isn’t
up to it this lad should take advantage.
SELECTION: NAKAO
DANGER: OH SAY
Race 3 – 20:00
Three-time winner KENDRED SOUL won a claimer last week and steps back up to handicap company here. Kevin Manning rode him last Friday and that was over 6f off a mark of 68. He’s up 4lb to 72 but Siobhan Rutledge claims a valuable 7lb which negates the penalty. Andy Slayterys charge SUNSET NOVA bumped into the resurgent Togoville when chasing 4 in a row and with no evergreen 11y.o in tonight’s line up he won’t be far away.
SELECTION: KENDRED SOUL
DANGER: SUNSET NOVA
Race 4 – 20:30
A really good race even though there are only 6 runners. GRANDMASTER FLASH won over 2m the last day around here but has winning form over this 12-furlong trip. He runs off only a 1lb higher mark than the last day but he’s versatile regards tactics and he’s a proven class act. The dangers are headed by THE MOUSE DOCTOR but he may need a bigger field to be effective and PURE NATURE who was 3 from her last 5 starts in 2020 and all over C&D but is of a near stone higher mark here on her first start since December. Only a 4y.o she’s open to improvement but it’s not the trainer’s style to stop when a horse was in such good form.
SELECTION: GRANDMASTER FLASH
DANGER: PURE NATURE
Race 5 – 21:00
DANCE EMPEROR was 2nd over c&d a month ago behind multiple winner Blackstone Cliff. He missed the break on that occasion which he had done a few times on turf but he stayed on to good effect to get within 2L of the winner. That was his first start since early October so you’d like to think he’ll come on for that run. PERSIAN LION throws in the odd good run but lady riders seem to get a tune out this boyo and with Nikita Kane taking over the reins he has a place chance.
SELECTION: DANCE EMPEROR
DANGER: PERSIAN LION
Race 6 – 21:30
A good maiden ahead and one that will likely throw up plenty of winners as the season progresses. POWERFUL AGGIE caught many eyes when staying on strongly into 4th over an inadequate 7f on debut. That start was only 2 weeks ago but Josephs record with second starters is a positive one. HAMWOOD FLIER showed ability when 4th on debut three weeks ago. Unfancied in the betting that day (20/1), she only gave way in the last half furlong so with normal improvement this well bred daughter of Kodiac shouldn’t be too far away.
SELECTION: POWERFUL AGGIE
DANGER: HAMWOOD FLIER
Race 7 – 22:00
Nap of the evening is SAN ANDREAS who bolted in on his 2021 reappearance a fortnight ago. There doesn’t seem to be anything in the line-up that will take him on for the lead and is proven over the one mile trip unlike his main dangers.
SELECTION: SAN ANDREAS
Race 8 – 22:30
I swear it seems
like this lad runs every week because he gets ripped that often but more often
then not RANGER BOB ends up being a non runner on the day!This has to be his
day! He has gone into many a notebook after staying on or unlucky runs and the
run the last day behind Masalai when drawn badly is a stand out in terms of his
opposition. Hopefully he gets to the starting stalks tonight! NEYLAND is a
solid horse who deserved his turn the last day and will be in the shake-up
again.
SELECTION: RANGER ROB
DANGER: NEYLAND
