Roll the Dice

Sharjah won the feature last week making it 3 wins from his last five runs over the 10 furlong trip. The Shamardal gelding has been 1^st or 2^nd in 7 of its last 8 outings at the Dundalk venue, a remarkable record. 4 of the 5 handicaps run last Friday were won by previous course winners, the other Sister Slew in first time blinkers had won at Laytown in 2014. It seems to be no harm to have form at the track, on fast turf or indeed at the beach.

Togoville is another horse who won at Laytown in 2014 and went on to win at Dundalk. The George Pakidis trained grey won well here in December beating The Dancing Lord who turned the tables then on the last meeting before Christmas. The 5yo gelding went too fast to early that day and was just run down in the final strides when getting tired. This rated race is capped at 75 which Togoville is rated so a combination of already setting the best standard and currently being bang in form is case enough to merit being the nap on the night.

The Greek born County Armagh based trainer also saddles Pivy’s Pride in the first. A drop to 5f is worth a shot with this imposing chesnut. On almost every start he has travelled supremely well until emptying out a couple of furlongs from home. His form looks nothing on paper but the way he travels in his races suggests there is ability. The lightly raced 5yo drops to a career low mark of 59 now and may be worth chancing at a big price. Acroleina would be the alternative after an unlucky 3^rd last time out.

The Elusive Pimpernel maiden has received many entries and looks competitive if the majority take their place. The pick would be Period Piece who was green here behind Sgt Rock on debut and should improve a tonne for that. Yulong Xionfeng is also interesting 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. 

Alfaayza is worth taking another chance with in what’s sure to be a competitive looking 7f handicap. She ran too bad to be true last time out for Pat Flynn. Before that the filly beat Tsar Paul before it went on to won two races on the spin. That race she won despite going hard in front and was value for her win, she is only 2lbs higher and if healthy is sure to give a bold show.  The dangers look to be the consistent Fairy Foxglove, the class-dropper Nini Ok and the revitalised Sister Slew in blinkers.

Eye of the Tiger was part of the famous Barney Curley gamble back in January of last year and is entered in the 12f race for Johnny Murtagh. He has the ability but I wouldn’t like to be 2^nd guessing what the plan is! Havelock Ellis and Rose Angel remain in sparkling form and should fight out the mile heat.

Good things come to those who wait as Moon Dice could be the best value on the card in the last. The 10yo is unexposed on the flat.  I know how daft that sounds. In a 2m qualified riders race there are a few important attributes necessary; Ability to carry the heavier weight, must stay the trip well and with this on the AW being able to handle the surface. Moon Dice has been dropped 5lb for a perfectly satisfactory run over a trip too sharp here in November. At Galway he ran an eye-catching race when last coming down the hill, the jockey pulled him widest of all turning into the straight and he finished off well in a far better race than this. The Paul Flynn gelding ran well here in a 2m maiden last March and the handicapper has given him a chance here. That’s Ours could be worth a saver as forgiven last few poor runs.

All eyes will be on the High Court Friday as the dispute between the bookies from the old track at Dundalk is settled. The 30 bookmakers expect to receive a verdict on costs and damages after the judge ruled in their favour last February, though the Stadium has filed a counter-claim. Mark Costello wrote in the Irish Field that one bookmaker is seeking €48,000 in damages but that his legal costs may run into six figures.