Form and Facebook 28-1-2015

Winning his last three races has confirmed his legend status. The track is sure to build a statue of him someday for his remarkable record. Every race is like a home game and no one dares beat the gelding on his patch. Head down, terrier like, his will to win earns him many fans. Backers trust him, even when things are going wrong during a race they believe he’ll find a way.

Anyway enough of Sharjah! This week is a run of the mill card. But one that probably appeals from a betting point of view if a few of the entries declare to run. Dundalk hosts an 8 race card with an earlier start time of 5.35pm.

The 6f 47-65 handicap is competitive with 4 or 5 making the shortlist. Burren View Lady is down to an attractive mark and is the type I can see running up a sequence when the trainer wishes. She won a handicap off 79 last January and now runs off 59. The jockey booking will be informative. Boughtforasong is the selection. The in-form George Pakidis trains and she had a lovely comeback run over 5f which was too sharp here last week, catching the eye at the finish. She’s won over 6f off 55 in the past here and carries a pound less on Friday.

The better 6f race is afterward and hopefully Pakidis will be looking to double up with Togoville. He’s top rated off 89 and up 17lb since winning his first of three races here in December. I will be with Grey Danube who beat Your Pal Tal here before Christmas, recording a fast time in the process. The 6yo gelding looks one to side with as Your Pal Tal (2^nd then) has won twice since, Fastidious who was back in 5^th also won subsequently. The grey only got 7lb for an impressive win and has an excellent record at Dundalk, 5 wins from 19 starts. Indian Landing strikes me as more a 7f horse and beat little last time out. Sassaway is respected but has yet to win on the surface.

Letters of Note sets a high standard in the 7f fillies maiden. She was a good fourth behind Tamadhor in Leopardstown on debut, now rated 94. The 2^nd and 3^rd; Stellar Glow and Bocca Baciata are now 101 and 92, while the 5^th Plus Ca Change won here since and is rated 87. The Callaghan filly was green that day, travelled like a good horse before tiring and was supported in the market. She flashed her tail in the straight which is a worry but still should be good enough for this.

Sixtyfiveroses is the nap on the night. I nearly choked on my cornflakes when I saw this filly only rated 59 for her handicap debut. There are two reasons why I fancy the J Levins filly in the 3yo handicap. 1 her run behind Unorthodox suggest she has more ability than her rating but 2 because of the regard her trainers holds her. Some modern day trainers like to keep followers informed on social media, a noble idea. Most is run of the mill stuff but the odd nugget is found. Before her third run to qualify for a mark Levins reported, ‘Sixtyfiveroses is a filly I love’, ‘she will need the run badly’, and ‘a filly I look forward to’. After the run; ‘ran as well as could be expected’, ‘needed the run badly fitness wise’.   She is a half-sister to Catchy Lass and her trainer I’m guessing believes her to be a fair bit better than a rating of 59, a rating the assessor may have judged her on when not fully fit.

Five horses entered in the mile handicap won last time, none quite like Bishan Bedi. The O’Brien runner is up a stone but I don’t see that stopping him.  He may even improve for his first start in 5 months and up to the mile. The Dancing Lord may have been flattered the last day due to a collapsing pace where he picked up the pieces. The recent maiden winners, while impressive, their form isn’t worth a whole pile.

She’s No Joke is my idea of the winner of the rated race while in the last I’d like to see a front running ride and a set of blinkers on Fairy Court. Forgiven his latest poor run as first run in 3 months and Miss Ahern riding, if returning to front running tactics employed when winning and 2^nd here last January, he may be a big price back to a workable rating of 59.

Leopardstown have got the Fly. Dundalk’s got Sharjah. A great game that can have both.