13:25 DUNDALK – INDIANA GREY
Pat Martin is no stranger to finding a winner at Dundalk from time to time and his INDIANA GREY looks primed to go close in this six-furlong handicap at lunchtime on Saturday. The four-year-old is still a maiden after seven-starts, but she made an encouraging seasonal debut when staying on for sixth place in a big-field handicap at Naas last month off today’s mark of 45. The extra-furlong looks ideal having previously found seven-furlongs and one-mile beyond her last season, while adding the services of Colin Keane, a good draw in stall one and weight from rivals, she looks a solid each-way contender.
Get over to PaddyPower.com for all the latest racing oddsShane Foley has decided to ride Ty Rock Brandy yet again for trainer Natalia Lupini following her third-place finish at the Curragh six-days ago, while Sestriere is another on the shortlist for Kevin Prendergast. She remains a maiden after 17-career starts but has been consistent recently with place efforts at Navan, Tipperary and Naas. She finished just ahead of our selection at Naas, but the poor draw in stall 14 could see the Pat Martin filly reverse the form today. Elsewhere, any market support for Rudisha should be noted for the inform Denis Hogan with his gelding dropping right back in trip to six-furlongs today.
15:05 DUNDALK – CAVELL
A weak enough apprentice maiden over seven-furlongs on paper with a handful of horses in contention for victory including the Joseph O’Brien trained CAVELL with Shane Crosse in the saddle. Crosse is having a wonderful season with Pista his latest big-race winner in the Vinnie Roe Stakes at Leopardstown on Thursday and I’m hoping he can secure another winner here for the Piltown team this Saturday afternoon. This filly improved from her seasonal return at the Curragh to finish fifth behind Pearls Galore at Limerick last month with Paddy Twomey’s winner following up nicely in a handicap at Cork last weekend.
She finished last on her debut behind Know It All at the Curragh last season with Johnny Murtagh’s filly recently finishing third in the Group 1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville to Watch Me. Crosse can find a good position from stall one and have the tactical edge over his main rivals to win on Cavell before she goes handicapping later this season. Shawaf for Gavin Ryan, Daoub, Chasing The Dawn, Eshtiya, Make A Promise and Turbo Command, having a first run for trainer Michael Halford are a group of rivals who cannot be discounted. It might be a poor looking apprentice maiden but it’s competitive with hopefully O’Brien and Crosse combining again for another winner this week.
16:40 TRAMORE – LADY DAHLIA
Illusory for Michael Halford and Wichita Woman for Fozzy Stack are two interesting runners in this 12-furlong fillies maiden with both trainers holding a 100% strike-rate with three-year-olds here at Tramore over the past five-seasons (2-winners from 2-runners each). Add to the mix that both trainers have previously won this race, Halford with Callistan (2014) and Stack with Tooreen Katie (2018) any market support for both runners should be noted. Wichita Woman, a filly by Lawman makes her debut with Illusory having two starts this season, sixth on debut at Roscommon and a staying on third at Killarney last month.
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Seamie Heffernan is an interesting jockey booking on Merroir who finished third at Galway two-weeks ago and was previously behind Even So and Peaceful in maiden’s last season. However, LADY DAHLIA gets the verdict for Joseph O’Brien and jockey Trevor Whelan following her eye-catching staying on performance on debut behind stable-mate Pista in a fillies maiden at Galway last month. The daughter of Australia came from off the pace to finish an excellent second on that occasion and natural improvement should see her go close with Pista boosting the form by winning a listed contest at Leopardstown earlier this week. Elite Craft wears the blinkers first time and steps up in trip for Johnny Murtag, while Magic Chegaga and Royal Free Hotel are others in the mix for Dermot Weld and Jessica Harrington.
19:15 TRAMORE – BORDER BATTLE
Shane Duffy produced Molly Kayne to win this staying handicap last year and with jockey Seamie Heffernan booked to ride, BORDER BATTLE could be nicely handicapped to go close in this two-mile contest. The four-year-old was beaten a distance in his first attempt over hurdles at Gowran Park last month, but his recent flat run when fifth at Killarney puts him right in the mix off the same rating of 60. He travelled well from off the pace that day and was only beaten under two-lengths in a bunch finish with Heffernan taking over the ride from young apprentice Oisin McSweeney.
Heffernan is riding here at the Waterford venue for the first time in many years and should be right in the mix on the Duffy runner who also holds an entry at Roscommon next Tuesday. War Eagle, just ahead of Border Battle at Killarney also runs with recent Leopardstown winner Mountain Fox back on track for Frank Oaks – Here For The Craic might run well back on the flat after several good runs under over hurdles, while Bright Flame and De Mazzaro are other leading contenders. The Tom McCourt trained De Mazzaro won a middle-distance handicap at Fairyhouse in June and finished a decent third over hurdles at Galway on his latest start just over two-weeks ago.
Bets Summary:
- 13:25 DUNDALK – INDIANA GREY
- 15:05 DUNDALK – CAVELL
- 16:40 TRAMORE – LADY DAHLIA
- 19:15 TRAMORE – BORDER BATTLE
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