Alan Marron is back to preview Mondays excellent card at Dundalk Stadium.
It is great to be back at Dundalk Stadium on Monday and I am delighted to say I will be in attendance for this card as racegoers are finally allowed back on course in an limited capacity with socially distanced guidelines in place.
Some very interesting runners so scroll down to check them out folks.
1.00 H´cap 3-y-o plus of €21,000.00 . 5f.
QUEEN’S CARRIAGE will be looking to get us off to a flyer on an excellent Monday card at Dundalk Stadium.
This filly is a dual course winner after landing her maiden and then an EBF race following that.
She showed that she could handle soft ground when she won by a small margin at Fairyhouse. She was then stepped up in grade at Sandown in a listed contest where nothing went right for her all the way.
This drop back in grade on a course that she likes should be ideal.
Luke Mc Ateer will claim five pounds off her back and I think she will be very hard to beat.
1.35 Claiming Race of €10,000.00 7f
The familiar orange silks of James Mc Auley are well known around Dundalk and Sam Ewing will don the colours aboard MEISHAR.
This horse began his career with an excellent second place finish behind the Aidan O’Brien trained Horoscope.
He followed that up with a very good run at the course over a mile when second to a very good yardstick in Dedillon where he was beaten a neck. A reproduction of anything like that form should see him go very close here.
He has a nice draw in stall one here and should be able to adopt a handy position and travel away.
I would expect him to be involved in the finish.
2.10 Irish Racing Handicap (3yo) 7f
Johnny Murtagh has his team in excellent form this season and his runner here PUERTO DE VEGA in the colours of Ballylinch Stud looks poised to break his maiden here off a nice handicap mark.
This horse was a non runner back on the 11th May when it was reported that he was off his feed and then produced a very eye catching performance when 4th to New Hill a month later at Gowran Park.
He looked to be in need of that run and should improve off the back of it. There was a little bit of money floating around for the horse on that occasion suggesting to me that they think a little of him.
This course and distance could prove to be ideal and I would keep a close eye on the market.
Should be tough to keep out of the frame.
2.45 Dundalk Ladies Day Maiden of €12,000.00
Joseph O’Brien and Declan Mc Donogh were in flying form around Dundalk Stadium in the latest session of barrier trials and Pennine Hills was one to note on that occasion.
Another name that entered my notebook on that occasion was RIVER EDEN who really impressed in one of the aforementioned barrier trials.
That race experience could prove vital and she will be getting a valuable five pound fillies allowance here.
I would keep a close eye on the market but she could prove very hard to beat.
3.20 Handicap (Division I) (3yo+ 45-65) 1m
The first division of a very tricky handicap and the John Mc Connell trained ZAHEE appeals to me as one that could improve off the back of a very good run at Fairyhouse last time out.
The tongue tie is applied for the first time along with a hood and that could make all the difference on this horse.
This horse was formerly trained by Adrian Mc Guiness and John Mc Connell seems to be getting a real tune out of him.
He has some good course form behind the likes of Forbearance and Kendred Soul and even though he carries top weight he should be far too good for his rivals.
Donagh O Connor should be able to get a handy position and let him go inside the final furlong.
Takes all the beating here.
3.55 Handicap (Division II) (3yo+ 45-65) 1m
Wayne Lordan teams up with Patrick Martin aboard DESIGNER CAILIN and she looks very interesting in the second division of this handicap.
She was unlucky at Bellewstown last time out when just nabbed in the final strides behind Jazz Dreamers.
She has been very consistent in recent starts having finished fourth behind Lisabetta at Gowran Park staying on strongly in the closing stages.
She has a nice draw in stall one here and Wayne should be able to track and pace and hopefully get a nice run around.
She looks to be finally getting the hang of things in handicap company and it may not be long before she gets her head in front.
4.30 Maiden (3yo+) 1m
Aidan O’Brien will be looking to finally get MALAWI into the winners enclosure after three consecutive second placed finishes.
If you go directly by RPR then there is only two pounds between Safecracker and Malawi.
Malawi had gone up in trip but now drops back to the extended mile and a quarter. There could be every chance here that Wayne Lordan may attempt to make all the running here and could prove very hard to pass.
From watching his races back, Malawi looks like he races quite lazily. The front running tactics might just focus his mind on the job in hand.
If he can set off in front and get into a decent rhythm he will be very hard to beat.
He will be the NAP on the day for me.
5.05 Handicap (3yo+ 45-75) 1m 4f
The final race on the day is a mile and a half handicap and the Noel Meade trained COMEDY LA VEGA could be a very interesting runner on his handicap debut in the familiar colours of Patricia Hunt.
This colt ran his best race when fifth behind Metaphorical at Listowel and a reproduction of anything like that form in his first handicap should see him involved here.
This could be the sort of surface that brings out the best in him as his sire is Lope De Vega. Much like some of the earlier races on the card I would keep a close eye on the market here.
Should be tough to keep out of the frame.