UK Horse Racing Tips: Dundalk

MINT MAN has two very solid runner-up finishes over 6f at this track and should cope with the drop to 5f in this company. He is very much best in at the weights of those with an official rating. Smart Impression has shown ability on all four starts and could go well on her first start since switching to Danny Murphy. Coulstar can show improvement on her third start. She was sixth over C&D a fortnight ago (behind Mint Man) and the form got a boost when the third came out and won here. Cross Border has a tough task at these weights, but has been placed in five of his last six races. He handles the Polytrack well and looks sure to run his race. There are winners in Old Chicago's pedigree and John Feane's newcomer is worth checking for market strength.
Prediction : 1st Mint Man 2nd Smart Impression 3rd Coulstar

GARRICK PAINTER beat Obama Army and Picpoul into second and third respectively over C&D last month and has a shot of going in again off 5lb higher. He benefited from an enterprising ride off the front by Killian Leonard and the jockey is reunited with him. Considering that was Obama Army's first visit to Dundalk, there should be more to come from him. Unterberg won over further at this track before Christmas and has to rate a danger off 5lb higher. Emeric and Solar Breeze, in the first-time hood, will have their supporters.
Prediction : 1st Garrick Painter 2nd Obama Army 3rd Unterberg

There was a lot to like about CURRUMBIN's debut over 1m at this venue. He didn't have the clearest route, but stayed on well to be a never nearer third. Based upon that, he ought to relish this step up in trip. There are certainly some interesting newcomers to note. Dermot Weld takes the wraps off Nathaniel gelding Thurmond who is out of a Dansili mare, while Joseph O'Brien introduces Frankel colt Cow Chico and Neski Sherelski who is a son of Churchill. O'Brien has saddled plenty of winners in Dundalk since the start of the year.
Prediction : 1st Currumbin 2nd Thurmond 3rd Cow Chico

CARLO BIANCONI was green on debut at Gowran Park last April, but still ran a lovely race to be just pipped by a short head. There should be plenty of improvement from him on his return to action. Luke Comer's horses have been running well since Dundalk recommenced this month. His Second Girl made a mockery of her 125/1 odds when taking the runner-up berth over C&D and she has to enter calculations. Blinkers could eke out a bit more from Squire Danagher who has finished third on his last couple of starts here including when just behind Second Girl. Expound just failed by a head over a shorter trip last week. He gets a hood and blinkers, and his chance has to be respected especially as he has form over this trip on turf.
Prediction : 1st Carlo Bianconi 2nd Second Girl 3rd Squire Danagher

REBECCA'S GIRL was placed a couple of times in maidens and may have more scope for improvement than many of these having made a promising start in handicaps here earlier this month. The Andrew Kinirons-trained filly kept on well in the closing stages and should be suited by this extra furlong. Hero Of The Hour won three times here over six furlongs early last year and has dropped down to an attractive mark. He was placed on a rare try over this trip back in November. Chummie made all to cause a 40/1 shock over a mile here last time and has the pace to drop back in distance, while Jazzy Dancer and Markievicz are others for the shortlist. The latter didn't enjoy a clear run last time over C&D.
Prediction : 1st Rebeccas Girl 2nd Hero Of The Hour 3rd Markievicz

River Derwent's win from James Henry over C&D in November, with GOLDEN DAYS two lengths back in third, has been well advertised since and the Dick Donohoe-trained gelding is now fitted with blinkers after a couple of tardy starts on both outings since. Golden Days didn't enjoy the clearest of passages on that occasion and the daughter of Canford Cliffs, who has gained all three career wins over this distance, has a decent chance of reversing the places at the revised weights. Chica Power won a claimer over C&D in October and has been a model of consistency since while Jalo also won a claimer here the previous month over six furlongs and has been tried over a variety of trips since.
Prediction : 1st Golden Days 2nd River Derwent 3rd Jalo

VOLATILE ANALYST won six times for Keith Dalgleish over six and seven furlongs gaining a career high mark of 105 and has shaped well on all three outings since switched to this venue by current connections. The selection had Prisoners Dilemma and Brains both well behind when just failing by a head to Free Solo over C&D earlier this month. Final Voyage landed a valuable mile handicap at Lingfield last spring and was having his first outing in over six months when reappearing over an inadequate six furlongs here last time. Hodd's Girl is a six-time winner at this venue and is edging back down in the ratings despite some consistent placed runs while Little Keilee made most to win here just before Christmas.
Prediction : 1st Volatile Analyst 2nd Final Voyage 3rd Hodds Girl

JERED MADDOX won twice over this C&D last winter and gained a seventh career win on the beach at Laytown in September. The David Marnane-trained gelding didn't enjoy the clearest of runs subsequently when a strong finishing fourth here behind Little Queenie, and now takes a drop in class after again putting in his best work at the finish over six when beaten just over a length behind Daamberdiplomat. Havana Notion and Irish Rumour, who is fitted with a tongue tie for the first time, filled the first two places over C&D earlier this month with Theriverrunsdeep less than a length back in fourth and there shouldn't be much to choose between the trio again. Distillate has a chance if reproducing her second to Inishmot Prince here last month.
Prediction : 1st Jered Maddox 2nd Irish Rumour 3rd Havana Notion