James Griffin brings you race-by-race analysis of Friday’s meeting taking place at Dundalk Stadium.
Race 1
BLASTOFMAGIC is drawn nearest the roundabout on the m1 but Ger O’Leary has his string in fine form at present and this CD winner shouldn’t be far away come the business end. Out of his last 11 runs he has only failed to pick up prizemoney twice. He was 3.5L behind HODDS GIRL here a month ago but she’s worse off at the weights here with him. Hodds Girl isn’t drawn great either but came from off the pace when winning here last time out, she was unfancied at 20/1, for one of Mick Halfords, and she will need to improve to make it two in a row. If Kieran Cotter has AHYOKA ready to rock after 112 days off the track this lightly raced 4yo is one to consider. His handler has an enviable record with sprinters.
SELECTION:- BLASTOFMAGIC (EACHWAY).
DANGER:- HODDS GIRL.
Race 2
Kieran Cotter’s ZEN SILENCE was second over a furlong further last week when looking like that trip just stretched her. This is her first time in handicap company but she’s steadily improving. She just bumped into one last week in her maiden but Sam Ewing knows her and takes off 7lb. STOP ON RED won a nursery here over 7f. He has no weight on his back with only 8-3 and if the early speed doesn’t put him on top of his head, he’ll be doing his best work at the end.
SELECTION:- ZEN SILENCE.
DANGER:- STOP ON RED.
Race 3
DANCES WITH STARS is getting my last chance today! A beaten odds on fav last time out, he just looked like he needed a stronger gallop and I can see Declan McDonogh making plenty of use early of this son of Sea The Stars. He also has his tongue strap back on today. SPELGA has great course form with three wins and wasn’t beaten too far when 6th in a decent handicap last time. Crazily, ALLORA YEATS could run into a place at massive odds. She nearly caused an upset here three runs ago and maybe didn’t stay 2m last time out. If being busy hasn’t flattened her she may be staying on late in to the very minor money.
SELECTION:- DANCES WITH STARS.
DANGER:- ALLORA YEATS (PLACE)
Race 4
A maiden with only a couple of horses holding realistic chances of breaking their duck. MOSALA has his second attempt over this 10f trip having shown his best form over 8f. He’s been second three out of his four runs and is rated 82. It’s his to lose under the champion jockey, Colin Keane. TOOREEN ANGEL is 10lb lower in the rankings but with fillies allowance and the riders claim she only has 2lb to find. She’s proven over the distance but she doesn’t look straight forward and dons cheekpieces for the first time. She won’t be out of the money. S’ALL GOOD MAN could be one for the reverse trifecta.
SELECTION:- MOSALA.
DANGER:- TOOREEN ANGEL.
Race 5
IRWIN to beat RAZDAN in what effectively looks a match race.
SELECTION:- IRWIN.
DANGER:- RAZDAN.
Race 6
I tipped up INTERNATIONAL LADY when she was making her debut in Ireland before Christmas and she showed enough then that she’d be competitive in one of these. She only retains the cheek pieces from that race and Siobhan Rutledge claims a handy 4lb. She’s a great draw in 1. TAYLORED is a cliff horse and is getting low on more chances from me. He received trouble in running the last day and stayed on. If not getting dropped out too far early on hell gallop to the line but at this stage you’d have to wonder about him.
SELECTION:- INTERNATIONAL LADY.
DANGER:- TAYLORED.
Race 7
MUNFALLET is a genuine horse who is serving his connections well. He races on the pace and enjoys not being hassled and dropping back to 7 from 8f should help him see it out better then his last couple of runs. If he gets to the rail and is a length or more clear heading into the bend he’ll take a bit of pegging back. CAESARS COMET was third on stable debut a month ago and if he’s improved for that and is in the same place mentally for his current yard then he should be picking up some place money.
SELECTION:- MUNFALLET.
DANGER:- CAESARS COMET.
Race 8
DARK MAGIC is a consistent although at times, frustrating horse who found the line coming a stride too early a month ago when just not getting there off a 2lb lower mark. He should make amends. ST GEORGE’S HEAD can be excused his last run when his saddle slipped and this lightly raced Kingston Hill gelding can trouble the selection the most. He’s a CD winner of a maiden and if settling, can pick up the pieces if DARK MAGIC doesn’t do it for us!
SELECTION:- DARK MAGIC.
DANGER:- ST GEORGE’S HEAD.
