James Griffin brings you all of his tips and picks for today’s racing coming your way from Dundalk Stadium.
Race 1 – 18:00
The 82 rated BLUE CABOCHON owes her rating to her close up 3rd behind Frenetic in a listed race up the Curragh last summer. This is the easiest opportunity that she’s had thus far to open her account. She has the least amount of questions about her compared to her opposition. At an each-way price and one for the places is BROTHER IN LAW. He’s only had 2 runs and he showed improvement from debut when third over 6f 11 days ago. Adam Farragher takes off a handy 7lb.
SELECTION: : BLUE CABOCHON
DANGER: BROTHER IN LAW
Race 2 – 18:30
MELLIFEROUS was arguably unlucky when short-headed here a couple of weeks ago. Trainer Joseph O’Brien has reached for cheek pieces and those aligned with a step up in trip should eke out enough improvement to make it third time lucky. SCOTT LANG caught the eye when running on into second three weeks ago over cd and is expected to show the benefit of that experience.
SELECTION: MELLIFEROUS
DANGER:SCOTT LANG
Race 3 – 19:00
TOP LINE TOMMY benefitted from a typical power packed drive from Colin Keane when scoring last time out. Gordon Elliott has had a good strike rate for the few runners he’s had up here over the winter and his SISTER ELIZA never landed a blow in a c&d handicap three weeks ago but yet was only beaten around 2.5L in 7th. Billy Lee takes over from an apprentice Donagh O’Connor and the draw has marginally been kinder in stall 10. A solid each-way bet.
SELECTION: SISTER ELIZA
DANGER: TOP LINE TOMMY
Race 4 – 19:30
SALTONSTALL has up to 30lb to spare on official ratings over his 4 rivals. He holds entries in group races in Meydan later on so a race of this nature should leave him spot on for foreign exploits. He won a listed race before signing off in the winter and has won on this track too. A worthy odds on shot and looks banker material.
SELECTION: SALTONSTALL
Race 5 – 20:00
A rare Handicap in Dundalk in the sense there’s not a full field but the Lynam yard look to hold the aces between Sarah’s TYRCONNELL and dad Eddies MAJOR POWER however, I’m going to side away from that pair and give the nod to recent maiden winner TURBO COMMAND. He deservedly broke his maiden over cd a fortnight ago and now he’s had that confidence booster he may improve. Adam Farragher claims 7lb and Mick Halford is enjoying a decent winter season.
SELECTION: TURBO COMMAND
DANGER: MAJOR POWER
Race 6 – 20:30
If SLADE RUNNER wasn’t drawn in the lorry car park he’d be a confident pick but stall 15 is just too wide for races under the mile he will have to work hard early to track across into a handy position. Small trainer Clare Cannon brought back out her stable star CORECZKA from retirement where she bred a foal in 2020. This mate is a previous 3 time course winner and although was unraced for 20 months had no injury. She ran a belter on her comeback when getting no run and finishing 6th. She’s well treated on old form and Jamie Powell is a capable rider. She’ll love being dropped in and likes room in her races. She’ll come late but I’m just hoping it’s not too late.
SELECTION: CORECZKA
DANGER: SLADE RUNNER
Race 7 – 21:00
RANGER BOB was tipped last time out and narrowly failed last week. Sam Ewing rides now and with the head gear retained he has every chance to gain that elusive win. SISTER LOLA was 2nd over cd a fortnight ago and was left poorly placed through out. If breaking smarter and getting a clear run she shouldn’t be too far away at the business end.
SELECTION: RANGER BOB
DANGER: SISTER LOLA
Race 8 – 21:30
BENAVENTE has run the twice and was just behind his danger, DEVIL’S OUTLAW, when they were 3rd and 2nd here respectively. He was having his second run 7 months after his first and is open to more improvement. DEVIL’S OUTLAW has had his chance and blown it by looking like he thinks about it a bit but the quality of race is poor so if the selection falters he should pick up the pieces.
SELECTION: BENAVENTE
DANGER: DEVIL’S OUTLAW
JAMES GRIFFIN PUNTERS CHALLENGE SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – BROTHER IN LAW
Race 2 – SCOTT LANG
Race 3 – TOP LINE TOMMY
Race 4 – SALTONSTALL
Race 5 – MAJOR POWER
Race 6 – SLADE RUNNER
Race 7 – RANGER BOB
Race 8 – DEVIL’S OUTLAW
