Escape from Alcatraz 16-12-14

I was pleasantly surprised to see 138 entries for Dundalk this Friday night, the last meeting before Christmas. This just shows the usefulness and success of the County Louth All Weather track. That in the depth of the winter, furthest away from the height of the flat season a card can be so competitive and well attended. Last week we were treated to a duo of quality performances from two colossi of the polytrack. He’s Our Music is now 5 wins from 15 runs at Dundalk with 3 seconds and thirds to his name. The 93 rated gelding of Pat Flynn is a star of the sand and runs way above his turf form every time he lines up on the all-weather. The other is Captain Joy. Now 105 rated, Tracey Collins 5yo has had 6 wins from only ten starts in Dundalk and two seconds. The grey was unlucky to not win on his first start at Meydan on the Tapeta surface last January and after his excellent performance on Friday, all I could think of was what a shame Meydan have ripped up the Tapeta surface and have replaced it with the US favoured dirt. Dundalk has in the past acted as a prelim to the Dubai Carnival and as a result has attracted good horses to run there. After seeing the success of the AW championships in Lingfield on Good Friday, maybe it’s time Dundalk held a championship of their own and became the main dish and not a side.

The 7f 2yo maiden this week is one of serious depth and several entries take the eye, not least the Dubai Carnival accepter Alcatraz. The Johnny Levins colt will do well to escape with a win as he has to face the might of Halford, Marnane, C. O’Brien, Harrington, Callaghan and Lynam’s charges. The well backed Period Piece stayed on well last week in eye-catching fashion while showing greenness to be 2^nd, Gladly was equally noticeable on debut here doing good work in the finish and the selection if lining up would be Yulong Xiongfeng after three promising starts for Eddie Lynam. The Showcasing colt has run well last twice staying on in Galway and Listowel behind two smart types of Aidan O’Brien in Jamaica and Smugglers Cove, while not really handling either track. I’d expect a better run for the benefit of experience and a consistent flat surface here.

Rest Assured was an agonising 2^nd here for the column last time and should run well again despite going up 4lb in the weights. A chance is taken again with Lily’s Rainbow who was wide throughout behind Dalewari in her last run and dropped 2lb since; a better trip may see the Foster filly go much closer in the Nursery. The rated race is tricky if most of the entries stand their ground but Marble Statuette of Tony Martins may enjoy the drop in class from running against the likes of Captain Joy last week and is top rated, the danger may lie in Peter Casey’s Rose Angel who is thriving.

Fastidious was a fine second to Captain Joy last Friday after a 4 month absence and if the 6f race does not come too soon should take a lot of beating off only 1lb higher. The grey Grey Danube is the selection otherwise after showing up well here last time behind Serenity Spa. Only beaten 2.5l after ridden patiently at the rear early returning from a 5 month break, this is the 5yo gelding’s lowest mark since winning here last January. Manorov should make amends for being beaten here in dramatic fashion 3 weeks ago; on top inside the final furlong when Conor Hoban dropped his stick and he just got chinned as a result by Alvar. The McCourt horse will be little value in the 10f apprentice handicap though and I’ll go with That’s Ours again who has had excuses last twice and before that won in determined style off only 3lb less.

Moonmeister is in the form of his life after beating subsequent winner Sharjah a fortnight ago. The step up to 12f has been the making of the Elliot horse and is only 3lb higher than his last win despite him and Sharjah pulling clear. The ultra-consistent and tough Ned’s Indian should give him most to do. In the last race before Christmas Heart in the Air  of Andy Oliver’s may be the one to pay for pudding as the trainer seems to have targeted these staying maidens for older horses in December. Two strong pieces of handicap form in Navan and the potential up in trip may be good enough reasons to take this ordinary finale.