6:00 Major Power
Is a lightly-raced improver who has gone very close the last three times he has been asked a question around Fundalk, The handicapper looks to be given him every opportunity to break his duck as he still remains on a rating of 60 after putting up a big performance when not beaten far over slightly further. Going back down in trip should suit and there’s an extra few pounds off his back as well, with the talented claimer Oisin Orr up.
6:15 El Hombre
Appreciated the slight drop in grade last time and was arguably unlucky not to have gone very close having been short for room inside the final furlong. Keith Dalgleish’s runner is well treated and will soon be back up in grade. The excellent Joe Fanning retains the ride.
7:45 Matterhorn
It would be no surprise to see him take this fairly comfortably having been a bit of a talking horse when going off favourite on both his runs so far. He’s related to a couple of decent staying types and this to me is a stepping stone before going up in distant later on. The stiff mile at Newcastle will suit perfectly for now.
8:15 Dandy Highwayman
Ollie Pear’s runner has dropped 25lbs in the ratings from a peak high of 85, all the way down to 60. Surprisingly he was eased another 2lbs for a close up effort last time and only recently had a wind operation.
This is his third run back after that, it looks as if his confidence is finally on the up.
8:30 Too Precious
It’s been remarkable how she has managed to improve in such a short space of time, but then we are dealing with an exceptional young handler in Joseph O’Brien. All her three wins so far have been over slightly shorter trips and maybe the step up in distance could even bring about another chunk of improvement. Who knows how high she can go?
9:00 Brokopondo
Johnny Levins’ runner Is becoming a bit of a cliff horse for me, however I’m still going to follow him in one final time tonight. He didn’t have much chance at the weights in a claiming contest last time but still comes out of the race with plenty of credit. Let’s hope he doesn’t get too far out of his ground in the early stages.