Dundalk the After Party

Fifty minutes after the Grand Annual Dundalk gets underway on Friday evening. A two mile maiden; one of the worst you’ll see. That’s one way to throw cold water on festival punters who are trying to get over that it’s 361 days until Cheltenham and they will never see AP McCoy at the festival again.  

But what a week it will have been. Un de Sceaux wins the Arkle by a distance, Annie Power cruises to victory in the mares and Jezki triumphant again on Day 1. Don Poli goes fav for next year’s Gold Cup after an awesome display in the RSA. Sprinter Sacre hits 1.01 in the Champion Chase before finding nowt and Sire De Grugy imperious once more.  Toutancarmont wins the Cross Country to the delight of Kingbet Cheltenham Preview goers and a 4th string of Willie Mullins wins the bumper.  

Tony Martin followers can’t decide which horse is better handicapped in the Pertemps so back them all but emergency services are needed when Call the Cops strays them up the hill. Ryanair is the first time we’ve seen a dead heat for 6 horses at the festival and At Fishers Cross overcomes the dozen ailments that have stopped him jumping in the past to give AP McCoy a shock win in the World Hurdle. A combination of a holiday in Limerick, the curing of ulcers and plastic shoes are said to have worked the oracle.  

Peace and Co is made favourite for next year’s Champion Hurdle after not coming off the bridle in the Triumph, Hawk High repeats last years Fred Winter win in the County. Co. Meath is in clover after Road to Riches proves to be the new kid on the block in the Gold Cup and Noel Meade promises the wife a longer honeymoon live on Channel 4 afterwards. McCoy’s ride goes off 10/11 in the Grand Annual but is brought down at the first and the one he had the choice of riding wins.  

Dundalk will have its biggest audience of the year Friday. Do you think it matters that the quality isn’t great, not a bit of it. Tails are up and the blood is flying through the veins come 6pm Friday and turnover on the 9.05pm can be more than the Triumph in my experience. It looks a ferociously competitive card to boot. Viaduct Joey should eventually get off the mark in the first, a dreadful heat but will be short enough.  

Farmleigh House is an interesting entry in the 6f handicap. The 8yo has a 33% strike rate on the all-weather and the handicapper has given him a chance here by dropping him 8lb since his last run. The W Martin trained gelding won a handicap off 104 here in 2013 and now runs off 89. If at all refreshed after his break he could be the class act. Bubbly Bellini should reverse the form with Almadaa and Pencil Hill should run much better on its 2nd start of the season.  

I Will Excel is sure to be popular in the betting for the Elusive Pimpernel Race. Rated 90 the Michael Callaghan trained colt has some eye-catching form in the book but worries me he can be a weak finisher and hold his head high. Wychwood Warrior has run two good races in Meydan and looks a nice genuine horse that is hard fit from Dubai and ready to run well. He had a wide trip behind Mastermind when keen first time in UAE and then ran into a couple of 100 rated rivals in the Meydan Classic on the 26th of Feb. If making the trip back he is my choice from the Halford yard. Muaraabit was eye-catching the last day and is worth noting in the market for in form David Marnane stable.  

Gold Cup Day is a right day to have a gamble. I suspect this may be the plan with Burren View Lady. The 5yo Denis Hogan trained mare is down to a rating of 57 from 75 when he started to train her back in September. A flyer is taken here as the literal formbook wouldn’t agree with me but if you see market support for this one I’d join in. She’s won 5 races from 32 starts including off a mark of 79. Freshened up since her last run, she showed enough behind Indian Landing here under a negative ride to suggest ability is still there.   

The apprentice handicap contains a load of old favourites but Reckless Lad ran a blinder here for a comeback a fortnight ago. Pivot Bridge I feel has more room for improvement on a sound surface on the flat to mirror the progress over jumps and may be wise to catch fresh in the 12f race. A chance is taken with Little Arrows in the last that caught the eye last time staying on over a mile and is down to a dangerous mark.   

Warning events at Cheltenham preceding Dundalk may or may not have happened. Have a great week.  

Parish Pride and Joy

The All-Weather Championships Finals Day will take place at Lingfield on Good Friday, the 3^rd of April. Qualifiers will race for the £1.1m prize money over 7 disciplines. Dundalk host two fast track qualifiers this Friday for the Mile and the Middle Distance finals. Win and you’re guaranteed a spot at the table Good Friday, lose and it gets a little more trying as you have to run in 2 more qualifying races to make the cut. One horse who will have no such problem is Captain Joy; he has already booked his ticket.

The 6yo of Tracey Collins is on a four timer. He is a synthetic specialist and due to his win at Lingfield in a Conditions race back in January he is already headed for the Final, crucially having gotten experience at the track. The Dark Angel gelding is 7 wins from 13 runs on all weather, 2 of those disappointing on the Tapeta in Meydan which makes his record all the better. There are higher rated rivals in the mile contest Friday but few are as straight forward and in such form as the Herb Stanley owned grey. 116 rated Gordon Lord Byron is entered but looks likely to go to the Far East instead which is a shame. 2000 Guineas second Glory Awaits is also entered from the Yorkshire stable of Kevin Ryan. Last seen when winning a Group 2 in Turkey, he won a 7f listed race in Chester back in July and is 108 rated. He looks a tricky customer but retains plenty of ability. The worry would be lack of a recent run and his one try on all weather in Meydan was a disaster.

The mile race received 16 entries and if the majority were to turn up it would be a cracking heat. Ex-Richard Hannon trained Producer is now with Dermot Weld. He is rated 110 and is a group 2 and 3 winner but much of his best work looks at 7f. Weld also has a new recruit in Vedelago, he won a Group 1 in Italy and is rated 104. His old jockey Esposito has been quoted as saying ‘needs a first race to get him competitive again’. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65Ty5aX9Sc4&feature=youtu.be

The Halford pair of Slipper Orchid and Castle Guest are in the line-up but have been running at Meydan recently so I’m not confident of their participation, though Slipper Orchid has been thriving and would run well. Paene Magnus for Jim Bolger has a lofty rating of 106 but was in poor form when last racing here in October. Seanie, Bold Thady Quill, Tennessee Wildcat, Rummaging and Bishan Bedi are all high class handicappers in the 16. Two who may excel themselves are the in-form Grey Danube if staying a mile and Togoville who will appreciate step back up to a 8f here, though they have a bit to find on ratings.  In summary a cracking race to savour; many with questions using this as a prep, it pays to keep it simple with Captain Joy.

The Middle Distance fast track qualifier in contrast has a poor set of entries. Racing for the same €20,000 purse the 10f race has only attracted 7 runners. Parish Hall for Jim Bolger will take the world of beating if fit and well enough after 82 day layoff. The 112 rated son of Teofilio is 1/1 at Dundalk winning the G3 Diamond Stakes here in 2013, with Captain Joy back in 4^th. With a sound surface underneath this fella is a class act and only Dermot Weld stands in his way. A French and Italian import could represent Weld here. Behesht is a Sea the Stars colt who started favourite on 6 of his 7 starts for A De Royer-Dupre, including when winning a listed race over 12f on soft at Saint Cloud in September. His old trainer quoted after saying ground was ‘softer than he wants’ and is a nice horse for ‘staying races at 4yo’.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-yfLbB3_Mw&feature=youtu.be

He is interesting but may want further and his new stablemate Vedelago is also entered in the mile. In form handicappers like Moonmeister and Whippers Boy will be praying Parish Boy doesn’t declare as with racing off level weights, it would be a forlorn hope. 

Elsewhere on the card I fancy David Marnane to have a double. Deemah looks well weighted and drop to 7f ideal in the 3yo handicap. Oliveraie showed loads of promise here on debut behind Charlie Bear and with improvement can win the mile maiden. Hilary can benefit from a drop into the bottom grade, a big field and a pace to run at in the mile handicap. Maontri didn’t stay 10f last time but showed some old sparkle and can be very competitive off 82. Cheltenham? What’s that! 

Clutching at Straws

Dundalk starts with a familiar sprint handicap and two regular course and distance specialists Majestic Timeline and Strategic Heights set the standard. They should blaze a trail but Oor Jock is the one that interests me. Give an easy time back off a break here last week behind Grey Danube, the 7yo is back to a mark only 1lb higher than when winning impressively at Leopardstown in August. Adrian McGuinness gelding missed the kick here last week, was never really put into the race and that can be forgiven, good sharpener fitness wise. Though more a 6f horse I rate his summer form better than some of the exposed winter form. Beat only 2.5l off 80 in September over 5f at the Curragh, 75 looks a winnable mark. 

The 3yo auction maiden is a race for horses whose sires’ progeny made a median of no greater than 30k at the sales. Special Forces who was a 60k yearling purchase bucks the trend and the market is worth watching closely for the O’Callaghan trained debutante. Hat Alnasar ran well in 2nd here behind Song of Love and has a chance while Maronella ran an encouraging debut at Navan for Johnny Murtagh. Period Piece is overdue a win however and brings the best form to the table. Though 2nd on all three starts there looks nothing quirky about the Harrington filly, just a slow learner and last day ran into a good one. Her 6l beating of 78 rated Maira into 3rd last time and 3l ahead of 76 rated handicap winner Sheeba time before looks good enough here.  

Have a Nice Day was an agonising 2nd last Friday for the column. Grey Danube beat him a half a length and they pulled 5 lengths clear of the rest. I was far from delighted with the trip the Sabrina Harty gelding had 3 and 4 wide the whole way, most evident at the false rail on turn for home where the winner nicked a few lengths by taking the shorter route. Up five pound for not winning is not ideal, but I’m happy he was the moral winner and pulled clear of a fair field. Have a Nice Day is in the form of its life, over preferred trip and is the class act in this field. Sometimes it pays to do the obvious.  

Clutchingatstraws was a facile winner of a mile maiden here before Christmas. Marise (3rd) gave that form a solid look by winning her maiden here last week. The O’Callaghan trained filly was an eye-catcher in the Birdcatcher handicap in Naas over a trip too short off 79. The filly normally finds plenty for pressure in her races but noticeably travelled with fierce ease last time during the race, suggesting she had loads in hand and the mile trip was much more to her liking. I suspect 80 still underrates her at a mile and above.    

Augustine Leahy could make the long trip up with Trade Marked if getting into the 10f 47-65 handicap which has received 33 entries. I’ve been looking forward to this 4yo stepping back up to 10f after a few conspicuous runs over a mile. A mark of 60 seems entirely feasible after 3 good runs in 3rd over a mile in Listowel and twice here. He was a good 2nd in Fairyhouse over 10f to a higher rated rival who just got away from him early. A chance is taken on fitness after a 91 day break but a win can’t be far away.  

Gordon Elliot looks to hold sway in the 10f maiden and 12f handicap to conclude the card with Cape Glory, The Game Changer and Knight’s Parade all entered. Horses more familiar to National Hunt fans. Elliot has a fine team assembled to head for Cheltenham in a fortnight, Don Cossack being the star in the Ryanair. As festival fever builds why not join Kingbet for our Cheltenham Preview Evening. 

It is being held in Gleesons on Wednesday the 4th of March at 8pm in Drogheda. MC will be Will Reilly. Panellists include jockeys Ger Fox (Noel Meade) and Andrew Lynch; both in the winners of late. Tony Keenan a form expert who writes a column for Betfair and Racing Ahead and myself to give out the enhanced prices and free bets! On the night Gleesons will give away a trip for two the Punchestown festival. See you there.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rPe0BtYvTA

Road to Riches

Cheltenham is under 3 weeks away now and while all the talk is of Willie Mullins, Co. Meath will be making their own raid on the Cotswolds in the shape of Noel Meade, Gordon Elliott and Tony Martin. Noel Meade in particular has a few very exciting prospects including Very Wood, Apache Stronghold, Wounded Warrior, Monksland, Muirhead, Aengus and big Gold Cup chance Road to Riches, not to mention the handicaps. Recently married Meade could have a honeymoon period in Cheltenham. What a thrill it would be to see the man from the North East train the winner of the blue riband event on the Friday.

Kingbet are having up and coming jockey from the Noel Meade stable Ger Fox to a Cheltenham Preview evening in Gleesons in Drogheda on the 4^th of March at 8pm. He will be joined by Champion Chase winning jockey Andrew Lynch, form expert Tony Keenan and myself to hand out the free bets and enhanced prices! MC for the night will be Will Reilly. Do join us for an evening to look forward to the big races and try to find a few winners.

Dundalk seen its fair share of celebrations last Friday night with popular local winners Share a Secret and Headlong. A great cheer went up when the Dunleer trained and Dromiskin owned Headlong held on in the last. None of my selections are locally trained this week, but if I find a winner or two, we won’t mind where they’re from.

Tubeanie is a horse who’s had plenty of tries to break the maiden tag, 14 to be exact. But another chance is taken with the 4yo filly as her last run in France would be good enough to win this ordinary heat, the first at Dundalk. Amy Weaver trained her to be 2^nd in Chantilly with the application of first time blinkers and first start on all weather. The racing post gave her a rating of 79 for that effort which would be more than good enough for this. Before that she was twice second in England off 59; two starts ago edging out Bishan Bedi into 3^rd at Yarmouth. Denis Cullen now trains Tubeanie and if she is not tired from her travels, she may go one better than the trainer’s Whippers Boy here a fortnight ago. 

32 are entered for the 47-65 7f handicap on the card, only 14 can run. 2 darts are thrown to hit the winner. Lucky Boo has very poor form on paper. Rated as low as 44 now a leap of faith is taken with this 6yo mare. She’s had excuses for nearly all of her runs at Dundalk though, including when nearly falling early on here on the 30^th of January. Beat only 3l the last day behind Elusive in Paris; she came from last off a slowly run pace, was hampered 2f out and stayed on eye-catchingly to suggest a win soon is not beyond her. Doonard Prince ran in that same race and had an extremely wide trip throughout. The 6yo gelding wasn’t beaten far back in October here off 70 and now runs off 62. This course and distance winner is the type at a big price to go close if getting a nice inside draw.

Have a Nice Day remains on 73 after finishing 2^nd to a highly progressive Togoville on his last start over a mile. He now drops to 7f, the distance all his 4 wins have come over and the Sabrina Harty gelding could be value against some recent winners like Have a Great Day and past winners of this race Fastidious and Indian Landing. Lifting Me Higher ran a satisfactory race first time out here behind Arif under hands and heels riding. The well-bred Sea the Stars filly should improve plenty for the outing and her shrewd trainer won this maiden last year with American Girl.

There are two difficult handicaps and a Qualified Riders race to conclude the card. Asian Wing is one I liked in the 12f race. On his first start for J Feane at the end of January he ran an encouraging race, just letting the race develop in front of him turning in and stayed on well at the finish. His new trainer was 9/30 in 2014 while his old handler 0/10 at the track. Asian Wing was a course and distance winner in 2013 off 59 and now runs off 48. The 6yo showed himself to be in good heart the last day and the new trainer may spark enough life in him to win such a race. 

Carlingford Lough raises the roof

What more is there left to say on the greatest jump jockey the sport has ever seen. A P McCoy has rewritten the history books. I was lucky enough to be at Leopardstown on Sunday for what turned out to be the McCoy show and the crowd showed him the admiration of which he has earned in riding over 4300 winners. I’d advise anyone to make it to Navan or Punchestown or Cheltenham and see the greatest in action before he departs.

Jim Bolger was one of Anthony’s first mentors and he has a few entries in Dundalk this Friday night. Family Pride is of interest in the 7f 3yo handicap for the Wexford man who also mentored Aidan O’Brien. The colt is 3lb lower than when beaten a length by Dalewari here in a Nursery in November, he was ran down in the final furlong that day after going too fast early and running out of steam. Ten days later over 7f he ran a mess of a race under Kevin Manning when slowly away, wide and keen for most of the way before finishing tamely. A good draw and a handy lead could see Family Pride taking this. Of the others Sea of Blue is bred to be better than a modest rating of 59 while Sixtyfiveroses remains of serious interest for J Levins but I’m guessing up in trip is the plan for a first win.

Catwilldo is given another chance in the first. The 47-65 5f heat is a drop in class for the Garvan Donnelly trained 5yo mare and she gets a 7lb pull on Boughtforasong from 2 starts ago. She won impressively the last day but a combination of down to 5f and the change in weights is enough to prefer Catwilldo at the likely bigger odds. The entry from England Salvado has looked tricky in headgear in the past and one to be against if short odds. Tony Carroll also has three entries in the 6f race and whatever he runs should be hard to beat.

The Elusive Pimpernel Race over 7f is the quality event of the night. 3 previous winners are entered in Charlie Bear, Five Claw and Song of Love. Maronella 3^rd first time out for Johnny Murtagh and a couple of unraced horses from Levins and Marnane the only other potential winners in the line-up. Charlie Bear has done the most so far form wise rated 92. Five Claw steps up to 7f; which on breeding should be no problem but looks a free going sort who doesn’t lack pace. Song of Love beaten by Five Claw over 6f enjoyed the step back up to a mile to win here last week. Maronella is in receipt of 6lb from the trio who’ve won a race. Prices will dictate but Five Claw looks one with bags of potential and class and is with the right trainer in Halford to settle and improve him.

25 horses are entered in the mile handicap and 2 are on my radar to win a race in this bottom grade. Share a Secret and Gold Tantrum are both rated 47 and have run well recently without winning. Gold Tantrum is an 8yo who travels noticeably well in his races and was a good 2^nd to Norville here last time. He waited for a run 2f down then and finished best; the 3^rd and 4^th, Fairy Foxglove and Mystical Past have both run well since in 2^nd to uphold the form. Share a Secret didn’t get the clearest of runs down the inside rail behind Elusive in Paris last week and was only beaten 2l, yet dropped a pound for her efforts. Up to a mile is no concern for her and both these hold up types should get plenty of cover with the likes of Stoichkov in the field to go a good gallop.

Colla Pier was an eye-catcher the last day finishing a flying 4^th behind Pepparpot from the rear in a race that suited to be up with the pace. Going up to 12f should be fine and the Hawk Wing mare remains feasibly handicapped off 58. In the last I’ll take a flyer with Tennesse Waltz.  Older staying maidens are dreadful races this time of year and don’t take much winning. This cheap purchase from a small stable ran well on debut coming from last turning in to finish 3^rd. Saga Diamond was 4l ahead then but I’m not sure she wants a step up to 10f like the selection. Of those that have ran there is nothing to fear and the price should more than compensate for chance taken on this gelding to improve on its second start with loads of stamina in the pedigree. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzDUi_L6MzA