Dundalk plays host to an action packed card where Aidan O’Brien has his first runners of 2013 and Willie Mullins’ Cheltenham contender Pique Sous makes his first race course appearance since his win in October.
Knock Stars (6.20 Dundalk) & Ahimsa (8.50 Dundalk) both to win is 18/1 with Boylesports.com
Pique Sous makes his Flat debut tonight in Dundalk, with this run being the potential stepping stone to the Cheltenham Festival.
Willie Mullins’ grey was third in the Champion Bumper at the festival last year and made a promising start to his jumping career when winning a nice maiden hurdle at Thurles in October.
His preference for decent ground has kept him on the sidelines since but the addition of the Bookings At dundalkstadium.com Maiden at 6:50 to the card seems a good opportunity, and he takes on fellow smart prospects Cairdin and Raise The Beat.
Tom McCourt fields two in the opening www.dundalkstadium.com Handicap at 6:20 and his Copper Dock 7/1 looks to be the more interesting of the pair. Six times a winner here, Copper Dock landed this race last year and with some luck in running, could repeat. Pencil Hill 11/1 has performed well off a break before and he’s respected under Megan Carberry. The most interesting in the contest is perhaps Pat Martins Knock Stars 13/8 who comes here after a nice second on his latest outing. A repeat performance would see the course and distance winner finish in the frame.
Rocky’s Pride 4/1 in the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship Handicap at 8:50 finished a decent third last week behind two nice rivals, He is twice a winner at this venue in the past, including over the distance, He looks to be at an achievable mark to gain victory here and could be value you at a nice price.
Alvar justified favouritism when striking over C&D last week. Today he has to defy a subsequent 10lb rise to complete the double today. Mountrath 9/2 seems to be the one to side with. Danny Mullins’ mount has being coming close at the venue of late and looks to be good enough to get his head in front with a valuable 3lbs being taken off by the jockey.
Muizenberg Nights 9/4 tries to go one better than she did on her introduction here last week in the Floodlit Friday Nights At Dundalk Fillies Maiden. The obvious danger in the race is Typhoon Lilly. She was well supported on her debut seven weeks ago when third. She could be good enough to take this event but is no value at 5/6.
Atmospheric High 11/4 in the closing contest looks to be the one to side with. He won 3 times here last year and has creditable since.
Saratoga Baby 5/1 is a fair performer who belatedly got off the mark at the thirteenth attempt when landing 11-runner 1m minor event here last time by ½ length from Mountrath and has solid place claims today.
