James Griffin previews all of the racing action coming your way from Dundalk on Monday 11 January.
Race 1 – 16:30
The opener on the card is for horses haven’t been placed in the first 4 on their last run but many of these haven’t finished in the first 4 ever! 5 of the 14 have won a race. None of them are in any sort of form that looks like their next victory isn’t too far away. If John McConnell has worked his magic in the month or so that he has Wild Shot he could bounce back but I’d imagine this is more of a run for a guide rather then anything. A punt is taken on MALBAS who sports a first-time tongue-tie today but more importantly is a previous winner over this trip. One that will be staying on but for selection purposes his slow breaking from the stalls is the drawback, he was noted as staying on when seen before Christmas.
SELECTION – MALBAS (EWAY).
Danger:- Kalanoura.
Race 2 – 17:00
Dermot Weld doesn’t have many 5yos in training let alone ones that are rated 58. SWITCH AROUND is a daughter of the mighty Galileo and it is noteworthy that the owners are persevering with her. She is 9lb lower than her initial mark but her qualifying run saw her finish a 6L 4th to LEO DE FURY whos now Rated 113. On that day the 5th and 6th are rated 60 and 65 so her mark of 58 isn’t harsh. She clearly shows more then she’s reproduced on the track. LEAHMAN has a mark of 118 over jumps and runs off the basement mark here. He was entered up a couple of times although he didn’t run in December so shouldn’t lack for fitness as he was obviously ready to run. Chris Hayes has a good Friday night last and rides PEMPIE who has a chance.
SELECTION:- SWITCH ROUND.
Danger:- Leahman.
Race 3 – 17:30
NIGHTLY WAILING is only 1lb higher than when winning in November. He is the only runner to come into this race off a win and in fact is the only horse in this that has finished in the first three on their last run. Tom Cleary will have him ready for his first run in 2 months. He’s proven course and distance form and there are fewer excuses for him then the others on paper. Colin Keane is an eye-catching booking for FALAK and at some stage should take advantage of a tumbling mark. PAULA’S PRAYER has a place chance on her progression over hurdles if her jumping has improved her off her basement rating. Take A Turn if forgiven his latest run can have a case made for him on his staying on second 2 runs ago. He was only beaten 1.5L and was closing hand over fist at the line but bombed the last day.
SELECTION – NIGHTLY WAILING.
Danger:- Paulas Prayer.
Race 4 – 18:00
The weaker of the 2 divides. Ado McGuinness had a fantastic winter all-weather season in 2020 and his WINSTON WOLFE is fit from hurdling. Off the track on the flat for nearly 3 months he hopefully has been rejuvenated from jumping and his jumps mark is nigh on 40lb higher than his 58 flat mark. Gavin Ryan (last seasons champion apprentice) has started 2021 in winning form and can get another here. BELGOPRINCE turns out quickly following his 4th on Friday evening. That was over 11F and was off a 7lb lesser mark when factoring in Sam Ewing’s claim. Colin Keane is on board and the combination were runners up 2 runs ago on this surface. He’s a 10F winner in his native France but has been placed over hurdles in Ireland. To my eye, he hasn’t looked entirely straight forward. The selection may represent better punting value.
SELECTION – WINSTON WOLFE.
Danger:- Belgoprince.
Race 5 – 18:30
2 of these should have it to themselves in the shape of WOODROW and GLOW WORM with the nod given to WOODROW. WOODROW has run just the 6 times compared to GLOW WORMS 22. WOODROW is drawn 5 to Glow Worms 14. WOODROW has returned to this track 4 times while GLOW WORM didn’t return after her effort when the rider reported she didn’t handle the surface. She is rated 4lb higher and is receiving 10lb but Cormac Farrells charge is open to more improvement and here the vote. Of the others, keep a market check on Brother In Law as he’s from a shrewd yard and Declan McDonogh is booked. He’s a half brother to winners but is drawn in the back straight marsh on his debut.
SELECTION – WOODROW.
Danger:- Glow Worm.
Race 6 – 19:00
Joseph O’Brien, just like his dad, has an enviable record with horses in maidens second time out. His mother’s VISUALISATION was the second string on debut when a never nearer 6th. Declan McDonogh takes over here and with normal improvement from a run along with the 49 day break a short price can be expected for this son of NO NAY NEVER from the family of Rock of Gibraltar. STAR HARBOUR cost €400,000 as a yearling and makes his debut today. He’s bred to be smart but horses from this yard usually take a run. BRIGHT GLORY is a €36,000 yearling and hails from a yard that up to 2020 was farming races up here. However, this colt will know his job although he’ll improve for this experience. He will have had a nothing gallop or 2 over this course as Mick Halford likes to bring them away before they run.
SELECTION – VISUALISATION.
Danger:- Bright Glory (place)
Race 7 – 19:30
JACKMEL was on a bit of a roll before being beaten last time out but I can excuse that as it was over 1m 2f and he is reverting to the 1m that he has been so successful over in the past. He is still below his highest mark of 75 and Kevin Smith will have him ready to rock and what is even more attractive is the booking of Sam Ewing who takes off a further 7lb. He has the plum draw in stall 1. Gavin Cromwell saddles an interesting one in the shape of HARBANAKER. He is off the track since early July. His maiden form reads well and he is relatively lightly raced. Conor Maxwell has ridden winners for Gavin and if he doesn’t need the run too much, he should give JACKMEL the most to think about. He’ll win races in the future regardless of how he runs today.
SELECTION – JACKMEL.
Danger:- Harbanaker.
Race 8 – 20:00
SIDESHOW BOB was 4th over C/D 47 days ago and that was his first real bit of solid form shown. He was staying on all the way to the line then and is 2lb lower today. A chance is taken that he’ll improve for that and his yard had an unusually quiet year last year but were ending the year on a good note. JM BARRIE wears first time visors and his past form if it can be rekindled, would give him a very good chance. He is becoming a well-handicapped horse and David Marnane saddled a couple of winners pre Christmas and an eye should be kept on JM BARRIES price in the markets.
SELECTION – SIDESHOW BOB.
Danger:- Jm Barrie (place)
