James Griffin brings you all of his tips and picks for today’s racing coming your way from Dundalk Stadium.
18:00 – Race 1
A 50-70 sprint handicap with the vast majority of horses out of form. Sheila Lavery hasn’t had a hughe amount of runners over the winter but what she has run has run well and she’s represented here by DANZ GIFT. He’s the elder member of the field here but he’s a 7 time course winner who’s only having his third run in a 12 month period. He was only beaten 2L when 4th a month ago behind winter improver Hodd’s Girl. He was the last one off the bridle that day and he’s one of the freshest of the field which should stand him in good stead. He dropped 1lb for that run and is off 60 here Enron though his last winning mark was 57. Clare raider MAGGIE THUNDER is a cd winner and ran a cracker when 4th over 6f, a trip she just doesn’t quite get. She’s fast and is drawn in stall 1, it could be a case of catch me if you can with her. The selection has better back form and is generally, out of the two of them, a better horse.
SELECTION: DANZ GIFT
DANGER: MAGGIE THUNDER
Race 2 – 18:30
A winners race with penalties for those who’ve won a listed or group race. The lowest rated is off 44 and the highest rated are 96 with both SNEAKY GETAWAY and KASPERENKO holding those lofty marks. Sneaky Getaway pulled up in a Gr1 hurdle 2 weeks ago. KASPERENKO hasn’t run for 5 months so the nod comes down in favour of one who’s untapped over this trip on the flat but had a recent nice run and is getting weight from their rivals. ANNA BUNINA is the selection for this conditions race. Her UK form over staying trips is rock solid, yard in form, she is uncomplicated and she’s less questions to answer then most. ANNA BUNINA is well treated by the conditions and is getting 10lb between weight and riders claim off those rated 9lb higher. She loves good ground and has had a recent run. I can see her stable companion CONSTRUCT chase her home. He won a handicap here before Christmas over this trip and loves good ground, he’s relatively unexposed on the flat. The top rated have too many questions to answer.
SELECTION: ANNA BUNINA
DANGER: CONSTRUCT
Race 3 – 19:00
Back to spring trips for this race. Ado McGuinness lost a race here on Wednesday but can gain compensation here. BETRAYED was given by the trainer as a horse to follow before she made her debut but has taken more time then expected to mature and she’s expected to take a step forward from her most recent run when she was second to Harrys Hill. She’d 2 of today’s rivals behind her that day and 2 subsequent winners behind her, she looked like she’d appreciate an extra furlong and Colin Keane is booked too. STOP ON RED drops back from the 7f he won and was second over recently. He’ll be staying on late and may just find this on the sharp side.
SELECTION: BETRAYED
DANGER: STOP ON RED
Race 4 – 19:30
KOOLASICE was a 7L winner of a maiden over this trip last summer with 2 subsequent winner right in behind in the minor money. The quick ground was given as the reason for improvement on that occasion and he hasn’t had quick ground again since until his debut on this surface here three weeks ago when 5th to Whatharm. He looked like he just took a blow that day on what was his first start since September, he’s only run 8 times and I think he’ll come into this under the radar. WOODROW got the win he deserved six weeks ago and has missed a couple of engagements since. He likes to burn rubber big he may not have it all his own way with other prominent runners in this race. There’s a nice handicap in WOODROW but I think it’ll come on grass.
SELECTION: KOOLASICE
DANGER: WOODROW
Race 5 – 20:00
A really informative race awaits us with well-bred debutantes taking on once raced eye catchers. Market confidence will be key to this race. Of those who have run Sagar Lake caught the eye so did El C Wells and likewise Thrumps Dream. Of the newcomers EMPYREA, HAMWOOD FLIER and MY GENERATION catch the eye. Two put forward against the field are Crossfirehurricane’s sister My Generation and THRUMPS DREAM. THRUMPS DREAM chased home odds on shot Lovely Esteem beaten nearly 3L she was never better than mid div until late on when it looked like the penny had dropped and she ran on to claim the runner up spot. Not drawn great today but in a maiden it’s not as big a factor and the experience may just edge it on this occasion against Joseph O’Briens representative. MY GENERATION is bred for the surface but lacks a run.
SELECTION: THRUMPS DREAM
DANGER: MY GENERATION
Race 6 – 20:30
SISTER LOLA went into many note books when over coming a poor draw last time out when second over shorter. Better drawn this evening, the daughter of Slade Power is taken to maintain the Lynam run of good form. She’s only had 8 starts and even a reproduction of her debut effort when second on the course would be good enough at this level. One that has a great chance but a really bad draw is NEYLAND. A winner here over CD 4 runs ago this Oasis Dream bred filly improved for the application of head gear when second a month ago. All she did was stay that day so if they go hard early don’t expect to see her until late. She’s a solid each way bet.
SELECTION: SISTER LOLA
DANGER: NEYLAND
Race 7 – 21:00
I really don’t like saying this but the is not a good race. The nap of the night is on the shape of RANGER BOB. Back up in trip to 1m and the added attraction of 10lb off his back in the shape of Sean Bird. He didn’t quite get there in time when last seen in first time blinkers and if they work for the second time he won’t be winning out of turn. TYRIANA was fifth a month ago and in this grade if running to a similar level again and with Alan Persse taking 7lb off shed hold minor money chance.
SELECTION: RANGER BOB
DANGER: TYRIANA
Race 8 – 21:30
Old Favourite MASALAI has been rejuvenated by the wearing of cheekpieces and when winning under today’s jockey last time out he only needed to be pushed out hands and heels. He won a shade cosily and is clearly thriving and is in good heart. SUNSET NOVA is three from his last four and won’t be far away again.
SELECTION: MASALAI
DANGER: SUNSET NOVA
JAMES GRIFFIN PUNTERS CHALLENGE SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – DANZ GIFT
Race 2 – ANNA BUNINA
Race 3 – BETRAYED
Race 4 – KOOLASICE
Race 5 – THRUMPS DREAM
Race 6 – SISTER LOLA
Race 7 – RANGER BOB
Race 8 – MASALAI
