Friday’s action at Dundalk kicks off at 6:20. A competitive seven race card is in store as Johnny Murtagh returns to the saddle after a spell on the sidelines due to injury.
Racing kicks off at 6:20 with the Ladbrokes.com Handicap where Black N Brew looks the pick of the contest. He ran a cracking race when he finished a length second in a C&D handicap earlier this month to the progressive Alvar, who has gone up 16lbs since that victory. He was unlucky last week as he ran into trouble in running and still managed to finish fourth. If he gets the luck in running, which is a major factor, he could be the one to beat. Tamujin is the major danger to John McConnell’s charge.
Khyber Pass from the ever consistent Eddie Lynam yard won at this venue a couple of weeks ago. He wouldn’t have had to be at his best that day to win and tomorrows contest looks a lot more competitive. It is a wide open race and it is perhaps worth having an each way chance on Foot Perfect. Hailing from the Ger Lyons yard she returned from a very long absence to finish sixth here and will surely improve from that. She is still only five years old her form from before her absence saw her finishing close to classy sorts such as Duff and the Group One winner Gordon Lord Byron. She might need the run tomorrow but is definitely worth an each way bet in the Ladbrokes Mobile Handicap at 6:50.
The Ladbrokes Casino Fillies Maiden at 7:20 sees some an interesting newcomer in Papaya. She is a very well bred half sister to the once top performer and now sire, Lend A Hand. It could be worth looking elsewhere though for a filly with experience, and Sherzam is the one who stands out on the criteria. She has filled the runner-up spot off a mark of 77 here in December and looks she could be tough to beat tomorrow with the talented Luke Dempsey taking a valuable 7lbs off her back.
Toberton is sure to be popular again tomorrow after last week’s victory and Ted Walsh’s charge is once again reunited with Luke Dempsey in the 8:20 contest. Daft Dave is a potentially worth watching in the market as he steps in to handicap company for the first time. He is fitted with Blinkers which could lead to an improvement.The ex-Richard Hannon trained Dansili Dual is another interesting contender under Johnny Murtagh on his fibresand debut.
El Salvadorr gave Aidan O’Brien his first winner for the year on his most outing. He is hard to oppose and is sure to be popular for the closing contest, the Ladbrokes Daily Top Treble Handicap. Perhaps the biggest dangers are Gordon Elliot’s Shadow Catcher at a big price and the unexposed Katiola.
