Fran Berry’s Dundalk Tips
17:00 Taraj
17:30 Madam Celeste
18:00 Fleetfootsoldier
18:30 Sea Chariot (nap)
19:00 Hero of the Hour
19:30 Dabana (each-way)
20:00 Sandcastle
20:30 Spinning Web
Fran’s each-way Yankee: Fleetfootsoldier, Hero of the Hour, Dabana, Sandcastle
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
17:00 – Taraj
As good a trainer as Dermot Weld is, the yard has only a 3 per cent strike rate at Dundalk so that tempers my enthusiasm for Taraj who seems to set the standard in this one-mile, colts and geldings maiden. Joseph O’Brien has four declared – three newcomers – and they’re all nicely bred. It’s hard to go against Taraj though as the form of his debut run when fourth at the Curragh has worked out well. It was soft ground at HQ on his second run there and that may just have caught him out even if he did finish second. His dam was a winner on the polytrack and he’s my tentative picks in a wide-open, two-year-old maiden.
17:30 – Madam Celeste
Another 1m maiden for two-year-old fillies this time, where Whispersinthewind returns after being a beaten favourite last time. I was disappointed with her that day and I’ve a niggle about her resolution under pressure. The step up to a mile should help her but I’ll chance Madam Celeste for Ger Lyons. The stable have had a few maiden winners recently and they usually don’t pitch up here without knowing their job.
18:00 – Fleetfootsoldier
An apprentice handicap over a mile sees the ultra-consistent The Bog Bank likely to prove popular under J J G Ryan while recent winner Feature This has been done no favours by the draw in stall 17. The one that catches my eye is Fleetfootsoldier, ridden by Calum Hogan who claims 7lb. Fleetfootsoldier was a winner last time and gets to race again in this grade. He’s still well weighted to win. Jamie Powell is an interesting booking for Tiktok Time, but she’s a very tricky ride and has to settle better to show her best.
18:30 – Sea Chariot (nap)
A decent rated race over 7f where Hightimeyouwon has won his three races in double-figure fields, but faces just six runners here and may have too much time to think about things. Punk Poet is very consistent and usually visits the winner’s enclosure every three runs or so, but Sea Chariot could really appreciate the drop back to 7f off a strong pace. He’s a dual winner on the polytrack, including when winning over a mile here on Wednesday and Shane Foley rides again for JJ Murphy. He’s my nap of the night.
19:00 – Hero of the Hour
A 6f sprint handicap with lots of exposed runners but the partnership of Chris Hayes and Hero of the Hour has already struck three times and the six-year-old is back below his last winning mark. It should set up nicely for his usual late burst and he can gain his first success of the winter season. Seamie Heffernan teams up with Mether who looks to build on his fourth-place finish when making his debut for the Natalia Lupini stable last time.
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19:30 – Dabana (each-way)
A 10f handicap for four-year-olds and upwards with Storm Eric and Comfort Line making quick reappearances after running on Wednesday. Breezy Zoff has the form in the book but the trip and the ground concern me as it does with Folly Beach who was runner-up last time over 1m 6f and drops back four furlongs now. An interesting runner is Dabana (each-way) who drops back in grade and has a nice draw in stall five. She could offer some value each-way despite being near the top of the handicap. Jack Kearney’s 5lb claim could be vital.
20:00 – Sand Castle
Colin Keane is a really interesting booking for Adrian Murray’s Sand Castle on the back of his recent runs. Paul Flynn’s Ally Cay could improve given the stable’s form. Clever Capall has been returning to form and is one to watch out for over the coming weeks.
20:30 – Spinning Web
The second division of the 1m 4f handicap could even be a little more competitive. Clever Currency is very consistent but may find the trip too sharp. Spinning Web could be very well handicapped despite a trappy draw in box 17 and should go well for Margaret Mullins. Could be a handicap ‘blot’ and may prove hard to beat under Niall McCullough.
Fran Berry’s Horse Racing Tips
17:00 Taraj
17:30 Madam Celeste
18:00 Fleetfootsoldier
18:30 Sea Chariot (nap)
19:00 Hero of the Hour
19:30 Dabana (each-way)
20:00 Sandcastle
20:30 Spinning Web
Fran’s each-way Yankee: Fleetfootsoldier, Hero of the Hour, Dabana, Sandcastle
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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