Another competitive card has been served up at the popular Dundalk Stadium.
FRIDAY’S DUNDALK TIPS
- 16:50 Ladies Gossip (15/8)
- 17:25 Thumama Glory (15/2)
- 18:00 Barbapapa (Nap) (4/1)
- 18:30 Send Harry (7/2)
- 19:00 Alissam (7/1)
- 19:30 Storm Eric (each-way) (6/1)
- 20:00 Camino Lad (2/1)
- 20:30 Fixation (15/8)
Prices correct as at 12:45 today
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Another Friday night under the lights at Dundalk awaits
16:50 – Irish EBF Median Sires Series Fillies Maiden, 2yo, 7f, €25,000
With Star Glory a non-runner, attention turns to three newcomers. A 140,000gns yearling purchase, Sake Nights is an interesting debutante for Donnacha O’Brien, while €170,000 breeze-up purchase Ladies Gossip falls into the same category for Joseph O’Brien. The Johnny Murtagh-trained Secret Vega, whose dam won here, is also interesting.
Selection: Ladies Gossip
17:25 – Irish EBF Median Sires Series Colts & Geldings Maiden, 2yo, 7f, €25,000
Thumama Glory finished a very good second here last time on his first try on the surface and can go well again for Ado McGuinness. A €50,000 yearling purchase, Johnny Murtagh’s Chicago Caray (who is by Harry Angel) is an interesting newcomer. His grand-dam has produced a three-time Australian Group 1 winner. Kevin Blake is involved in the ownership of Final Ascent, who makes his debut here. He is trained by Donnacha O’Brien. Mirren has shown promise on all three turf starts so far and, being a half-brother to seven winners, one of which, Hurricane Helen, won twice here, has a likeable profile for the race, but Luke McAteer is on the stable’s other runner, the newcomer Jacob’s Journey, who is in the same ownership as Mirren.
Selection: Thumama Glory, in an open race (4/1 the field)
18:00 – Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap, Division 1, 3yo+, 7f, €12,000
There is no doubt that Barbapapa is well-handicapped based on last year’s form and, with Henry de Bromhead’s horses running well, he gets the nod here. The lightly-raced Nazario is an obvious danger.
Selection: Barbapapa (Nap)
18:30 – Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap, Division 2, 3yo+, 7f, €12,000
My two against the field are Send Harry and Una Matata. Send Harry is rated 73 but was narrowly beaten over c/d off 72 in November. With an improving apprentice rider on board, he can go well. There is no doubt that Ado McGuinness’s Una Matata is well handicapped based on her c/d form from earlier in the year. She has won four times at Dundalk. The lightly raced Coasting is a potential improver.
Selection: Send Harry
19:00 BAR 1 Betting ‘First For Football’ Handicap, 3yo+, 9f, €20,000
In an open-looking race, Alissam catches the eye as a potential improver. He has run well on all three starts so far, all of them here, including when winning a maiden on his debut. He will step into handicap company for the first time tonight and, also, will race in a first-time tongue-tie. Stephen Thorne’s charge is well-drawn in stall two and, as already mentioned, is open to improvement.
Selection: Alissam
19:30 – View Restaurant At Dundalk Stadium Apprentice Handicap, 3yo+. 0-60. 10f150y, €10,000
Aiteall arrives here as an improving horse and, at the time of writing, was a strong favourite. Storm Eric has been placed in seven of his last eight runs here. Dr Grace, who got going late here last time, wins in her turn so don’t be surprised by a good run from her for the Dundalk Racing Club. Jazz Forever came back to form with a good second here last time out so can’t be ruled out of another good run. Zitkala Sa stepped up on recent efforts last time out, which came here over a longer trip.
Selection: Storm Eric (each-way), although his wide draw tempers confidence, Strong favourite Aiteall would not have to improve by much to land this contest.
20:00 – Halloween Mid-term Racing At Dundalk Handicap, 3yo+, 12f, €15,000
The Ger Lyons-trained Camino Lad is a worthy, if uneasy, favourite. Lightly-raced, he finished second to Quatre Bras (who runs in the 8.30pm race tonight) here last time over 10f150y. He has been raised 3lbs in the ratings for that run but the talented Jack Kearney can still claim three. An interesting rival is Serenity Blue, who will be having his first run for Ado McGuinness, Owned by the Total Recall Racing Club, he finished third in a 12f Kempton handicap off 86 in April, beaten 1.25 lengths, and will race here off 80, with Reese Holohan taking a useful five pounds off his back. A ggod run would be no surprise at all.
Selection: Camino Lad
20:30 – Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Handicap, 3yo+, 12f, €25,000
Fixation is a talented handicapper and, having finished first and second in his two starts here, likes the Dundalk surface. He is one of a number of interesting runners on the card for trainer Johnny Murtagh. Quatre Bras won over c/d last November when rated 76 and arrives here rated 75, although he will race from 2lbs out of the handicap (although his good rider takes 5lbs off his back). He rates as an obvious danger. Touch The Moon has a big turnaround with Fixation from a turf run in June and has won over c/d. It’s not difficult to build a case for Quatre Bras or Touch The Moon, but I’m prepared to trust the market in what might turn into a tactical affair.
Selection: Fixation
FRIDAY’S DUNDALK TIPS
- 16:50 Ladies Gossip (15/8)
- 17:25 Thumama Glory (15/2)
- 18:00 Barbapapa (Nap) (4/1)
- 18:30 Send Harry (7/2)
- 19:00 Alissam (7/1)
- 19:30 Storm Eric (each-way) (6/1)
- 20:00 Camino Lad (2/1)
- 20:30 Fixation (15/8)
Prices correct as at 12:45 today
