Gordon Lord Byron warms up for a potential trip to Dubai in the BWG Foodservice Race at Dundalk on Friday. The eight race card kicks off at 5:50 with the BWG Foods Handicap.
Gmac showed fair form on a couple of occasions in maidens last year and looks the type to do better now tackling handicaps in a first-time tongue tie. He is worth watching in the market and if there is support in his first handicap it is surely worth taking note. He is hailing from a good yard and once he isn’t in need of this run after a long absence he could be the one to beat in the opening contest. Marvellous James and Mississippi John both hail from the Ger Lyons yard and could be the major opposition.
My Rules is a very interesting contender in the Family Value Race at 6:20. Despite being off the track for eight months Paul Deegan’s charge has some solid form behind her. She finished third in Dundalk on her most recent outing where she ran in to two very decent sorts. The second horse has Group One form behind Dawn Approach and the winner is now a well fancied Aidan O’Brien 2000 Guineas and Derby contender. Super Sling has shown plenty of promise on both outings over this course and distance and could cause the major problems to the selection.
Coca Bella is an interesting sort in the Chefs Kitchen Handicap at 7:20. She finished fifth in a good maiden first time of asking. All horses who finished in front of her are now rated in the high 70’s and at least 18lbs above her current mark. Her runs since have been less convincing but she is worth chancing each way at a large price for new connections and under last year’s Champion Apprentice on his only ride of the night.
Sophies Echo has been nabbed close home here on her last two starts and is fancied to get her head in front. She has crept up the handicap as a result of her narrow misses but this isn’t the hottest contest and it looks a good opportunity for her to gain a deserved victory. Mount McLeod shows considerable promise when staying on nicely when sixth behind Sophies Echo here last month. That run came after a break and she could be a danger now.
Race goers will be eager to see the return of the Group One winner Gordon Lord Byron. Tom Hogan has the Golden Shaheen in mind for his stable star, who went from strength to strength in 2012, including gaining Group One victory in the Prix de la Foret, before signing off with a cracking fourth in the Hong Kong Mile. Clancy Avenue could make up the forecast but shouldn’t trouble Gordon Lord Byron.
