James Griffin brings you all of his tips and picks for today’s racing coming your way from Dundalk Stadium on Friday 22 January.
Race 1 – 18:00
Plenty in with a chance in this staying handicap. A chance is taken with a previously tipped horse who was a non-runner on the day. SAND CASTLE has Cheekpieces added to his second time tongue time. It’s nearly 2 months since we’ve seen him but when we did he was only 1/2L 3rd over CD. Only 9 life’s time starts so open to a little bit more improvement. Definite each-way shout. STARLIGHT RED hasn’t been out of the money in 4 of his last 5 runs. Siobhan Rutledge claims 7lb off his back for the first time and this consistent gelding won’t be going down without a fight.
SELECTION: SAND CASTLE
DANGER: STARLIGHT RED
Race 2 – 18:30
John Geoghegan’s CHATEAU MUSAR is bidding for his 3rd win of the winter. He stayed well the last day and his current well being is not questioned unlike many of his challengers here. He’s 13lb higher then when his spree began but he touched it well enough the last date to suggest the handicapper may not yet have him in his grip. BALLYCAINES was runner up 2 weeks ago here and only went down by a 1l. That was his first start in nearly 2 months and only his second start in a year so if he improves for that outing he may sneak a place again.
SELECTION: CHATEAU MUSAR
DANGER: BALLYCAINES
Race 3 – 19:00
A high-grade handicap with the top weight rated 87 but many of these have yet to show their best form this winter. SETTLE FOR BAY is a token selection and more for place purposes only in this event. I tipped him the day he won here as he was so well handicapped and he remains so, but he was below par back here before Christmas. I’m putting it down to overdone waiting tactics that left him with an awful lot to do. If he doesn’t end up having to try swoop the whole field and he can get a tow into the straight and see daylight later he has the back class to still be a force. MERCHANT OF VENICE hasn’t had many tries for his current yard and threw in a rare poor run before the new year. If the mini-break (35 days) has freshened him up, on what he’d shown previously would make him of interest especially with a capable apprentice in the plate.
SELECTION: SETTLE FOR BAY
DANGER: MERCHANT OF VENICE
Race 4 – 19:30
Billy Lee gets a go on MASALAI in this mile event. He is a slight enigma but has is due a win and I think billy Lee may be the right man on board to get this 7yo in front. He’s a cd winner and was 2nd over cd over a week ago and that showed a step back in the right direction. He needs them to go hard and there’s plenty of pace in this race. The Lynams may fight this out with dad Eddie saddling MASALAI and daughter Sarah saddling IRISH AMBASSADOR. Hasn’t been seen for 6 weeks but was in right good nick when we did see him and was arguably unlucky the last day. He may be a horse that’s always going to have an excuse afterwards but he’s a solid place selection.
SELECTION: MASALAI
DANGER: IRISH AMBASSADOR
Race 5 – 20:00
SIDESHOW BOB has brought his form up a level since going handicapping and was noted the last day staying on in the last furlong quite nicely. She was closing at the line behind Emphatic and should reverse form here, I won’t be surprised to see her ridden less cold and be more forward today. PORTERINTHEJUNGLE is yet to win a race but was 3rd here a week ago when he was nibbled at in the market. He’s poorly drawn for win purposes here (15) but the step up by 1f to a mile today will help him and it’s a yard who knows the time of day when they fancy a horse.
SELECTION: SIDESHOW BOB
DANGER: PORTERINTHEJUNGLE
Race 6 – 20:30
DEVIL’S OUTLAW us very well-bred and ran a mid div debut when 7th 6 weeks ago. He wasn’t knocked about on that occasion and his yards runners all improve for a run. He was only beaten less than 4L but started fav on debut and missed the break. Presuming he’ll be a lot sharper tonight he should have improved at least 4L and he’s bred to make a good black-type performer and should start that journey here. Lansdowne sees Colin Keane and Mick Halford make a rare appearance together. He’s only run once when 6th and met trouble in running on that occasion due to being green. Yard is in great nick and Mick Halfords runners take a big step forward from debut.
SELECTION: DEVIL’S OUTLAW
DANGER: LANSDOWNE
Race 7 – 21:00
This race revolves around LOVELY ESTEEM who is likely to go off an odds on fav. She showed plenty of ability in a Leopardstown maiden and that maiden has worked out. She cost nearly €500,000 and should mark a part repayment tonight! BELLA COASTER has finished 6th in two maidens and she wouldn’t need to improve much to finish on the podium in this race.
SELECTION: LOVELY ESTEEM
DANGER: BELLA COASTER
Race 8 – 21:30
The best race of the night closes the card and it’ll be the fastest one too. DANDY SPIRIT has been very well handled by Kieran Cotter to be 2 from 3 this winter and I thought the last day this gelding didn’t have a totally excuse free run. Adam Farragher claims 7lb again and although he’s a wide draw in 11 if he’s a little bit more patient into the bend he’ll stay well the whole way to the line. A rock-solid each-way selection. GLOW WORM loves running but loves meeting one or two that are a bit better too. Still to win after 23 runs she’s back to her best trip of 6f and will be on the front end. She’s a place selection.
SELECTION: DANDY SPIRIT (EW)
DANGER: GLOW WORM
