Andy has his eye on a standout performer at Dundalk today.
2.15 Dundalk
Although technically not that well off at the weights with several of his rivals here today, there’s a decent chance BURN THE BOATS (best price 11-2) will be capable of offsetting that slight negative now returning to his favourite surface. Judged on his recent exploits, it’s plain to see John Feane’s inmate is nowhere near the same horse when asked to race on turf, but going back to his performances during the winter months, it’s a totally different story when you look at his record on polytrack. Hardly ever running a bad race, the son of Big Bad Bob was a dual winner in these sort of events in March and April and being nicely drawn in stall 2 with a cracking apprentice on board, one can expect him to bounce back to his very best form under his optimum conditions.
5.40 Dundalk
Not too many standout performers here apart from DODGYBINGO (NAP) (best price 9-4), who has the capabilities of taking this sort of race by the scruff of the neck. Although his latest form figures on the level don’t amount to much, he’s subsequently improved immeasurably over hurdles and as such, he should be capable of running amok off a mark of just 63. Good enough to finish fourth behind Mega Fortune at Down Royal last November, Noel Meade’s inmate wasn’t up to the standard required for the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival on his next start, but back in calmer waters the time after, he got back on track in pretty easy fashion. A creditable sixth in a Grade B handicap hurdle at Killarney last time out just shows the sort of company he’s been keeping lately, and having already proven himself on this surface on his only visit here two years ago (won 1m handicap), confidence is high he can uphold his unbeaten record at the track from his favourable inside draw.
7.10 Bath
LONDONIA (best price 7-2) has been in tremendous heart over hurdles of late and is fancied to translate that form on his return to the level off what looks a very favourable mark. A creditable second when last encountering grass on the Flat, Graeme McPherson’s inmate has subsequently taken off over timber and following a promising effort four starts ago at Towcester, he followed that up with two victories at the same venue and at Fontwell. Although beaten on his hat trick bid last time out, he still ran a fairly decent level when filling out the runner-up spot behind Prussian Eagle at Ffos Las and with a decent cruising speed one of his key attributes, hopefully an even gallop likely to be set by Mr Lando should suit the five-year-old down to the ground.
