UK Horse Racing Tips: Dundalk

MEHMAN had been off for almost a year before running more than creditably in Navan at the start of the month and can improve upon that. He kept on well to finish third of 20 on handicap debut over this trip, in a slightly higher grade, and the tongue-tie that was applied is retained for this task. He is running off 2lb lower which is a bonus as it allows him to get into the basement grade. He is by a sire whose progeny tend to go well on all-weather surfaces. My Joker has been placed three times at all-weather tracks in Britain and looks just the type to do well for Ado McGuinness in Ireland. Pillar and Seamie Heffernan teamed up to land a Fairyhouse handicap over 6f on Monday and reappear under the 7lb penalty. They overcame a tough draw in Fairyhouse and will have to do the same again, but that is feasible. Top-weight Tai Sing Yeh is more than capable of getting involved.
Prediction : 1st Mehman 2nd My Joker 3rd Tai Sing Yeh

INSTRUMENTAL could go well for James McAuley who is well versed in claimers (also runs two newcomers). This son of No Nay Never made 650,000 guineas at Tattersalls before finishing unplaced in a couple of maidens for Aidan O'Brien. He kept on for fourth over 5f at Navan in May which wasn't a bad effort. He gets first-time cheekpieces. Tawaazon was a fair fourth at Listowel on Tuesday and has previously finished runner-up in Dundalk. He should go well if fresh three days later. Cometh The Man wasn't beaten overly far in his last four visits to this venue and looks a likely contender. This is a marked drop in trip for The Rebel Breen, but he represents a shrewd trainer and jockey combination, and there isn't a lot of depth to this race.
Prediction : 1st Instrumental 2nd Tawaazon 3rd Cometh The Man

FORM OF PRAISE was in good form at this track in February and March and catches the eye on her return from a break. She posted a couple of runner-up berths before scoring over 7f. That earned her a trip to Lingfield for the finals day of the All Weather Championships in April, but she didn't feature in a hot race. She has run well off a break before and is on a handy mark. Dandyville has won three times over this trip and should be sharper for his run over further at this venue last week. That was his first start for Natalia Lupini who is having an excellent season. Sister Lola was a place, and two and a half lengths, in front of Dandyville last week and is more than capable of grabbing more prize money. Silver Nemo is out of the handicap, but did win twice on the all-weather surface at Chelmsford City in Britain. He gets a tongue-strap and blinkers, so could outrun his odds from a good draw. Rocky Dreams is better on the all-weather than on turf, but posted a more than decent third at Fairyhouse on Monday. He had a tough enough race there, though.
Prediction : 1st Form Of Praise 2nd Dandyville 3rd Sister Lola

Perseids is the starting point after finishing second on debut at Naas, beaten by two and a half lengths. She also had a barrier trial run at this venue in July where she showed she handled the surface as she finished second. There should be much more to come from her. Preference is for Aidan O'Brien's newcomer STARRY EYED, though. She holds an entry in the Group 1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket next month and is regally bred being by Galileo out of a mare who won a Grade 1 on dirt in America. Starry Eyed should relish this surface. O'Brien also introduces Boogie Woogie who is out of an Irish Oaks winner who won a fillies' maiden in Dundalk. She has the same Group 1 entry and gives O'Brien a very strong hand. Valkyrian improved on her second start to come home third in Leopardstown behind two very useful sorts, so she is respected. Not Even Close won a barrier trial here at the end of last month and a big run wouldn't be surprising.
Prediction : 1st Starry Eyed 2nd Perseids 3rd Boogie Woogie

A cracking Listed race. It is worth noting that HANNIBAL BARCA was beaten less than two lengths into fourth by Luxembourg in a Group 1 at Doncaster during his juvenile campaign. He made a winning start to this season by staying on well to win the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes over a similar trip in the Curragh. That earned him a shot at the Irish Derby, but he made no impression in seventh. He's certainly of interest over this trip on Polytrack debut. Aikhal is the highest rated on a mark of 111. He was very strong when winning a Group 3 over this trip at the Curragh in June. He hasn't been as effective over further in a couple of Group 2 contests since then, but is dangerous back at 1m2f in this company. Cairde Go Deo has plenty of ability as evidenced by a third place in this season's Irish Oaks. She is an interesting contender dropping back in trip and has bottom-weight. British-raider State Occasion has shot up from a mark of 89 to 104 after winning her last two races. In addition, she has won at two all-weather tracks in Britain. She is not one to be underestimated.
Prediction : 1st Hannibal Barca 2nd Aikhal 3rd Cairde Go Deo

EIGHTY EIGHT ran a satisfactory race in third in the 'Red God' Handicap over C&D in August and appeals dropping in grade. Furthermore, the handicapper has eased him by 1lb. He could double his career total. The Lute Player is very much unexposed. He got off the mark at the fourth time of asking in a Gowran Park maiden and now enters handicap company off a mark of 81. That Gowran Park victory was boosted when the third came out and landed a maiden at Listowel on Tuesday. He is feared up in trip for Aidan O'Brien. Alaroos was a comfortable winner of a fillies' handicap over 1m4f in Tramore last month. Her runner-up berth here in October last year confirms that she handles the surface. She is one to note. The Lute Player's stablemate, Fleet Commander, is another handicap debutant with a chance.
Prediction : 1st Eighty Eight 2nd The Lute Player 3rd Alaroos

CHALLY CHUTE was a market mover before finishing fifth on handicap debut at this track last month and can improve upon that. That race was a step up in trip to an extended 1m2f and, the way he stayed on after losing his place, bodes well for this 1m4f test. He has a tough draw, but the handicapper has eased him by 2lb. Intend readily scored over 1m6f in Navan. He has a Dundalk runner-up spot in the book, so has to be considered off 8lb higher. Sioux Princess kept on for second over an extended 1m1f, so you can see the reasoning behind this attempt at a further trip.
Prediction : 1st Chally Chute 2nd Intend 3rd Sioux Princess

CURSORY EXAM has been placed in two of his last three outings over C&D and has prospects of getting his second Dundalk success. He was only caught in the closing stages of an extended 1m1f handicap at Clonmel on his most recent start. Draco Pulchrac was a comfortable winner over a shorter trip in Dundalk last week and the handicapper certainly didn't miss that performance. She has been hit with an 11lb rise in the weights, but is still a leading contender at a trip she has been placed over before. Lamprog's runner-up finish over this distance at Tramore in the summer gives her claims. She wasn't beaten far into fourth at Gowran Park last Saturday.
Prediction : 1st Cursory Exam 2nd Draco Pulchrac 3rd Lamprog