Joe Finegan
1.30 CARA CANCER SUPPORT CENTRE FUNDRAISER HANDICAP 5F
My Good Brother and Kiss The Stars are both back at levels at which they can be competitive. Born Innocent has been running at Hamilton lately, notching two wins and a second. A Likely Story is still a maiden after nine runs and a variety of headgear.
Fast In The Wind won off 73 back in July but that was on easier ground than he will encounter at Dundalk. Though he is now running off 68, he may find one or two too fast. Strategic Force has been dropping steadily in the ratings since moving to Gerry O’Leary’s last year and will appreciated this drop in class from running in some very competitive events recently.
Selection: STRATEGIC FORCE
Next best: My Good Brother
2.00 BAR ONE RACING HANDICAP 5F
Chiclet, who won over this C&D in July and has the benefit of Pat Smullen in the saddle but could could find the burden of top-weight too much to handle. Shrill, according to trainer Willie McCreery, is an out-and-out five-furlong filly, and she could certainly have a say in first-time blinkers. McCreery’s other runner, Ostatnia, has been running well lately though she went up 3lb for finishing third at Tipperary last week.
Lady Mega won over this trip in June at Down Royal. Although she is running over her ideal distance at her favourite track, the handicapper looks to have a strong hold on her.
Primo Uomo landed similar event here last month and will be bang there again. Tithonus has shown masses of improvement over the last 10 months but is being tried over 5F for the first time.
In what is a competitive contest, the vote goes to the experienced Russian Soul, who won over this C&D when rated 100, 14 months ago, and has been running well enough lately to fight out a finish.
Selection: RUSSIAN SOUL
Next best: Primo Uomo
2.30 HORSEWARE 2YO MAIDEN 7F
Not a massive amount of form to study, so the market will be the best indicator. Thomas O’Malley was doing his best work towards the end of his racecourse debut over 6f at Naas back in April.
He’s had the summer to get stronger and should be primed for this. John Honeyman will have learned a lot from his debut at the Curragh in July despite fading near the finish. Others with form to consider are Gino Severini and Bective.
Newcomers Get Some and Cara Mark are ones to watch for the future, but highly regarded debutant Ambassadorial (by Elusive Quality), who will run in Godolphin’s colours for trainer Michael Halford, should take all the beating.
Selection: AMBASSADORIAL
Next best: Thomas O’Malley
3.00 TOTAL PRODUCE RATED RACE 7F
Vivat Rex is untried over a distance this sharp, though he has won over a mile in the past. Strada Di Carsoli put in two terrific runs on the all-weather in May and could give the selection most trouble.
Bottom-weight Victorious Secret has been in terrific form lately and should put in another good shift, though the handicapper may be getting to grips with her.
De Coronado and Great Wide Open are not without chances, but conditions and ratings of this race suit Indrahar, who can put a disappointing run at the Curragh two weeks ago behind him and get back to winning ways.
Selection: INDRAHAR
Next best: Strada Di Carsoli
3.30 DLK QUALITY FUELS APPRENTICE MAIDEN 7F
Cenotaph hasn’t been seen on a racecourse since June 2015 but his third that day would be good enough to be in the thick of the action here. Atlas finished strongly over 7f at the Galway Festival and a repeat of that run should be good enough to land this prize.
Flowerhill Nova has been in very consistent form without hitting the target this summer and comes from a yard that is bang in form too. He has been given a rating of 83 which should be good enough to take this prize and has the benefit of Killian Leonard in the saddle.
Green Or Black showed great promise to finish a close sixth first time out at Navan last week and, if normal progression is forthcoming, she should be involved at the business end.
Selection: FLOWERHILL NOVA
Next best: Atlas
4.00 ECOLOGICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT LTD HANDICAP (DIVISON 1) 1M
Chatterton’s two wins have come on this track over this distance and is weighted to take that tally to three on Sunday. He had three runs in a fortnight in early August, which also involved a trip to Wolverhampton, but with having had two weeks to recover and Pat Smullen in the saddle, the prize should be within his grasp. War Room has some respectable form on the all-weather but may find the burden of top weight too much.
She’s All Mine has her first run for Joseph Murphy since switching from Roger Varian’s yard, so a good run can be expected from her.
Matriarch is another contender having just been touched off over a mile at Bellewstown last time.
Selection: CHATTERTON
Next best: War Room
4.30 ECOLOGICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT LTD HANDICAP (DIVISON 2) 1M
Gossip Central is untested on the all-weather surface and disappointed on soft ground on his last run at Tipperary. He finished an eye-catching third at Naas on his previous run at Naas and was staying on near the finish on good ground. Providing the ground was the problem the last day at the Junction, he could make the grade here.
Reddot Express has been dropping in the ratings over the past 12 months and could now be finding his level. Another coming down the ratings is top-weight Sapphirine and any market moves should be noted. Specific Gravity, Manorov, Windsorlot, Danse Rouge and Norville are others with place potential.
Selection: GOSSIP CENTRAL
Next best: Specific Gravity
5.00 BAR ONE RACING HANDICAP 2M
Not the greatest two-mile handicap ever run and will not take a superstar to land the prize. Sir Raston acts very well on the all-weather surface and won readily over this distance at Dundalk back in March. Both trainer and jockey are in terrific form lately, and the pair should be visiting the winner’s enclosure after this race.
Prince Charmin has appeared on the racetrack four times and run respectably on each occasion. His most recent run was a narrow victory over a mile and a half at Tramore. However, there could be doubts about him staying a good gallop over the two miles today.
Little Stampy has been running well over jumps this summer, finishing in the money on four occasions and unseating at the last at Ballinrobe when in contention. Jan Van Eyck is a consistent Dundalk performer though this trip is a venture into the unknown.
Selection: RASTON
Next best: Prince Charmin