James Griffin brings you all of his tips and picks for today’s racing coming your way from Dundalk Stadium.
Race 1 – 18:00
Last weeks very well backed CD winner DRISH VENTURE is up 5lb but it is extremely hard on 3yos at this time of year in sprints to beat their elders even though the weight for age allowance is a stone. He should be running off 9 – 13 but carries 8 -13. If he’s not taken off his feet he will be in the shake up but it’s hard to look past the recent improver HODD’S GIRL. She’s up 20lb for 2 wins but she’s clearly going the right way. This is a step up in grade again but any filly in form is worth sticking with until they prove they’re off the boil. Adam Farragher claims 7lb so she’s only got 8-1 on her back. 4/1 or bigger is a each way bet to nothing.
SELECTION: HODD’S GIRL
DANGER: DRISH VENTURE.
Race 2 – 18:30
Not many trainers improve horses out of John Gosdens yard but Willie Mullins has done and we saw that when SWIFT VERDICT won her maiden. She took up the lead over 2f out and galloped the whole way to the lone. She hit the line strong. She went up 9lb for that but this trainer excels with this type. ANNA BUNINA has proved herself a classy recruit to the hurdling ranks and going jumping can sweeten up some horses and improve them on the flat and this filly held entries in the UK this weekend so she’s taken to be ready to rock after a short mid-season break. She’ll love the track and the trip and has a very handy 5lb off her back. If the selection falters she may make amends.
SELECTION:SWIFT VERDICT
DANGER:ANNA BUNINA
Race 3 – 19:00
EVERYHOURONTHEHOUR is back up in trip and has only tried this trip once before, when 4th two runs ago. He looked a non stayer on that occasion. He is a multiple course winner though and many of these are out of form. The trip is the issue. STORM ELSA is a last time out winner and has only had the 10 lifetime starts. She’s 6lb higher but more alarmingly she was ridden by a 5lb claimed on that occasion and is not claimed off today. That effectively puts her 11lb higher than last time out. She didn’t win with 11lb in hand. A tentative each way selection is ridden by 10lb claimed Jamie Powell. LUNASTAR is a previous course winner and following a break away from the track she showed she’s returning to form with a shade under 2L 3rd behind Chateau Musar. She led into the final furlong and was only overhauled in the shadows of the post. She’s off the same mark and has 10lb off her back.
SELECTION: LUNASTAR
DANGER: EVERYHOURONTHEHOUR
Race 4 – 19:30
Epsom Derby winning jockey Emmet McNamara doesn’t get many opportunities nowadays but the former champion apprentice has a great chance here on BLACKSTONE CLIFF. He scored a couple of times in the autumn and showed this mark of 62 isn’t beyond him when 2nd a month ago with Lunastar 1L behind him in 3rd. He’s good draw, won’t lack help from the saddle and this is the weaker of the two divides. ODD VENTURE showed a better level of form when 4th on stable debut two weeks ago. He should be a double figure price and if the cheekpieces work a second time he may sneak a place at nice odds.
SELECTION: BLACKSTONE CLIFF
DANGER: ODD VENTURE
Race 5 – 20:00
A name that may seem familiar, DREAM ROUND may be looking a tad frustrating but there’s been valid excuses and she now dons a first time tongue strap. She’s dropping in trip today but the 7lb claim and the trip with the tongue strap should just about get her over the line. DREAM ROUND is rated 68 but so too is SIENNA LADY. She’s had 11 runs but she comes from a yard in form and the best of her form gives her a squeak. She’s not drawn well though in box 13. Definite place contender.
SELECTION: DREAM ROUND
DANGER: SIENNA LADY
Race 6 – 20:30
DEVIL’S OUTLAW was tipped here a fortnight ago and was only beaten a nose having run green just when Declan McDonogh needed him to quicken up. He steps up 1f to the mile here which will help big time. He’ll have no excuses today. In a race that lacks much depth, ROCKY SKY starts out for a new trainer following one run for Una Corcoran. That run was full of promise when 3rd in early December behind the joseph O’Brien trained Queenship. Joseph saddles the selection here. ROCKY SKY raced wide on debut and the penny didn’t drop until late and she ran on into 3rd inside the last 100yds. She now carries the colours of multiple champion jockey Mick Kinanes wife Catherine who bought this filly for future breeding purposes, they wouldn’t buy one that’s not bred to win races.
SELECTION: DEVIL’S OUTLAW
DANGER: ROCKY SKY
Race 7 – 21:00
KUDBEGOOD hasn’t done much wrong all winter season and his habitual slow starting has cost him lately but IF not breaking as slowly today he should be good enough to beat these. His form figures of his last 6 runs are 2,3,1,1,2,2 so another win isn’t too far away. The top weight KOYBIG showed a return to form when not too far behind the selection 16 days ago. He’s won 4 times up here and he’s drawn better tonight (5) compared to the last night when in 12.
SELECTION: KUDBEGOOD
DANGER: KOYBIG
Race 8 – 21:30
A really good race to close the card even with only 4 facing the starter. HARRYS BAR made an immediate impact in Ireland when winning a listed race on stable debut. That was 3 months ago but was over CD and beat the high class Laugh A Minute on that occasion. With ALFREDO ARCANO and WOODROW likely to set a good gallop it should set up nicely for HARRYS BAR. SPEAK IN COLOURS is highest rated but this is likely to leave him right for his group targets in Meydan next month.
SELECTION: HARRYS BAR
DANGER: SPEAK IN COLOURS
JAMES GRIFFIN PUNTERS CHALLENGE SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – HODD’S GIRL.
Race 2 – SWIFT VERDICT.
Race 3 – LUNASTAR.
Race 4 – BLACKSTONE CLIFF.
Race 5 – DREAM ROUND.
Race 6 – DEVIL’S OUTLAW
Race 7 – KUDBEGOOD.
Race 8 – HARRYS BAR.
