James Griffin brings you all of his tips and picks for today’s racing coming your way from Dundalk Stadium.
Race 1 – 18:00
A sprint for 3yo only for 70 rated horses off levels and weight penalties for those from 71 up to 85. Only 6 face the starter where all bar 1 have a realistic chance. Falsaron needs this for his handicap mark, Navan winner Tammany Hall looked to find the minimum here too sharp when 5th in a nursery in early October, Drish Venture is highest rated in this (79) and won over 6f here two months ago. He made all on that occasion, but he looked to relish the 6f and this sharp 5f is a specialist trip, so the nod goes to HARRY’S HILL. Dylan McMonagles 5lb claim means he is getting 16lb from Drish Venture.
He has won over C&D and he is drawn in box 3. He is twice a trip winner and has had a recent run, so he ticks plenty of boxes. The blinkered Zen Silence can chase him home as long as they do not take each other on the front end.
SELECTION: HARRY’S HILL
DANGER: ZEN SILENCE
Race 2 – 18:30
Not a bad claimer with a few horses rated in the 80’s taking on each other. Raphael is bidding for a follow up but steps up in trip here.
The 82 rated Tonkinese is getting weight off all his rivals but is a bit temperamental and there’s another head gear change with him donning blinkers instead of cheek pieces.
Mutadaawel didn’t run too badly last week over 1mile and steps up a quarter mile tonight. He just went a bit too hard last week and only weakened late on, he was value for closer and if staying the trip and ridden with a bit more restraint he could be placed at a juicer odds but the vote goes to COMIN’ THROUGH who is the mount of Colin Keane. He here 3 runs ago but his last race he was a staying on 3rd to Raphael having not had the run of the race. If he backs that effort up he may come out on top
SELECTION: COMIN’ THROUGH
DANGER: RAPHAEL
Race 3 – 19:00
The obvious choices would be Dark Magic, Tony The Gent and Emphatic but at big odds, an each way selection is the Gavin Cromwell trained HARBANAKER.
He was having his first run since July nearly 3 weeks ago when 5th over CD. However, he did come up the straight against the unflavoured far side and looked a threat 2f but he just got tired and may have needed the run.
He’s entitled to improve for that effort and if he does the (about) 10/1 looks good each way value. Sideshow Bob is a frustrating horse, but I don’t know why they dropped him in last week again. He gets the mile well but lacks a change of gear so hopefully the hood and the 5lb off his back can see him placed again.
SELECTION: HARBANAKER
DANGER: SIDESHOW BOB
Race 4 – 19:30
Last time out winners Ferrybank and The Highway Rat go head to head here.
One has had a few goes the other has only had one and I’ve said many times that the room for improvement is the way to go, however, FERRYBANK was more than just consistent last season and he was tough when winning his maiden.
His gate speed was electric that night and the fact he’s that bit more battle hardened then The Highway Rat swings the vote to him for me. It could be the only time Ferrybank finishes in front of the Rat if they ever meet again.
The Highway Rat won a bunched finish but the runner was beaten next time out, the third did win last week but this lad went off a 14/1 shot and his yard know a good horse so was surprising to see him such a big price on that occasion suggesting the win was a shade of a surprise.
SELECTION: FERRYBANK
DANGER: THE HIGHWAY RAT
Race 5 – 20:00
TURBO COMMAND is rated 75 and hasn’t been out of the money since his debut. He drops down in grade from handicap company to maiden class. That experience should stand to him and the yard (Mick Halford) is having a good 2021.
He’s the highest rated and he don’t get many easier opportunities then this tonight. Adam Farragher takes off 4lb and is riding well. An old familiar name is my danger. Strange Times was undone by the draw last time but stayed on like a train to be 3rd 42 days ago. The slight downfall is that she’s only rated 63 and after rider claims she’s only getting 5lb from the selection who’s 7lb well in on figures.
SELECTION: TURBO COMMAND
DANGER: STRANGE TIMES
Race 6 – 20:30
Feature race of the evening and the top weight Whatharm will be popular but has been off the track for 6 weeks he can’t be discounted at all and rates a massive danger but last week’s winner and more importantly, last year’s winner WAR HERO put up a lifetime best run last week when scoring over 6f. He’s a 6-time winner up here and the fact he won this last year suggests this may be an early year target again.
He’s 10lb higher than last year but Cian MacRedmond takes off 7lb. Irish Acclaim had nothing go right behind the selection here last week but I think the handicapper may just have him now for win purposes but he still won’t be too far away.
SELECTION: WAR HERO
DANGER: WHATHARM
Race 7 – 21:00
St George’s Head has been good to Hollywoodbets backers this winter and may not just be done with yet.
He’s up another 8lb for his latest C&D win and the fact they haven’t gone for a claimer just yet suggests to me they think they still have a pound or two left in him.
Foreign Legion has been thriving all winter and he backed up his win pre-Christmas with a solid 4th here 3 weeks ago. He’ll run his race and coming from John Larkins yard, he’ll always be a point or so bigger than he should be,
SELECTION: ST GEORGE’S HEAD
DANGER: FOREIGN LEGION
Race 8 – 21:30
Last week’s winner SABRINA FAIRCHILD got a 6lb ride for her C&D win but Sarah Lynam has her string in fine form this winter and her new mark of 63 gives her a great chance to score again down in this level.
She’s honest and she gives her running all the time, her draw of 6 is ideal for the way she likes to be ridden. At a massive price Early Call wouldn’t be the worst each way or place only bet.
Has won over 5f in Down Royal (easy 5f) and in Navan (stiff 5f) so the trip is fine and he’s last two runs show his turn isn’t too far away again. He’s a big price but represents good place value.
SELECTION: SABRINA FAIRCHILD
DANGER: EARLY CALL
JAMES GRIFFIN PUNTERS CHALLENGE SELECTIONS:
RACE 1: HARRY’S HILL
RACE 2: COMIN’ THROUGH
RACE 3: HARBANAKER
RACE 4: FERRYBANK
RACE 5: TURBO COMMAND
RACE 6: WAR HERO
RACE 7: ST GEORGE’S
HEAD
RACE 8: SABRINA
FAIRCHILD
