UK Horse Racing Tips: Dundalk

A cracking sprint handicap to get the card under way. INISHMOT PRINCE and James Ryan are a formidable partnership on the Polytrack with nine victories accrued including six over this trip. He is up to a career-high mark of 86, but could defy that on his way to a possible crack at finals day of the All-Weather Championships at Newcastle. Billboa is really going the right way having won his last two races in Dundalk and he should be more than competitive off his mark. Maggie McGrath was just pipped by a nose by Inishmot Prince over C&D last month, so she has to rate a significant threat. Musical Tribute is running consistently well and hasn't been beaten far in his last three spins on the Polytrack, so should be in there pitching. Harry's Hill is a more than decent sprinter, particularly on turf, but he may just need this run having been off since October.
Prediction : 1st Inishmot Prince 2nd Billboa 3rd Maggie McGrath

JAAFEL has the ability to land this claimer. He has moved to Sean Davis, who is bidding for his first victory in the training ranks, after regularly picking up prize money for James McAuley. He landed a C&D handicap in October and kept on for fourth when last seen in a claimer here in December. Incredibly, Denis Hogan is due to saddle half of the 14 runners. The most interesting of his squad could turn out to be Edge Of Darkness who won a seller at Musselburgh in October for Charlie Johnston. This is his Irish debut after winning four times in Britain. Hasten Slowly is far from advantaged at the weights, but is one that could run into a place over a trip she likes. S'all Good Man and Snag It are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Jaafel 2nd Edge Of Darkness 3rd Hasten Slowly

EMERIC wouldn't be winning out of turn. Paul Flynn's charge was a close third on his last couple of starts over C&D and Jack Kearney's 5lb claim has him on an appealing mark. This son of Elusive Pimpernel knows where the winning post is in Dundalk having won twice here before. Firstman would prefer more of a trip, but he has to be feared coming off a break. He was running in very valuable handicaps back in May and June and has banked five victories during his career including three at this venue. Walhaan won over C&D in November and should be one of the leading protagonists after running well for a long way over hurdles in Leopardstown at Christmas.
Prediction : 1st Emeric 2nd Firstman 3rd Walhaan

Plenty of chances in an open race, and WISHES AND DREAMS might be worth siding with. This Highland Reel filly was placed twice for Joseph O'Brien and made a promising start to life with Ciaran Murphy when beaten by a neck over C&D last month. Dreams Fled Away has been strong over this trip in winning his last two races. The handicapper has had his say, however, he looks set for a big run for Shane Crawley. Neddies Boy rallied to win by a head over C&D last month and has escaped with a 2lb rise, so should be heavily involved. Highland King is a big, powerful horse who made the breakthrough last week. It is reasonable to assume there is more to come, but an 11lb rise makes things trickier for him. Moondharrig is in very good form with two victories and a runner-up berth banked in his last three runs. He is up in trip for this assignment, though.
Prediction : 1st Wishes And Dreams 2nd Dreams Fled Away 3rd Neddies Boy

ARBAAWI rewarded Tom McCourt's faith when victorious over C&D last month and has a shot at following up. He races off a rating of 62, with James Ryan's claim factored in, which is 3lb lower than his last winning mark in Britain so there should be a bit of scope for improvement. Hurricane Helen was a shade unlucky in third behind Arbaawi in that aforementioned race, but she sandwiched that run with two successes over C&D. Champion jockey Colin Keane stays loyal and she has to enter calculations. Relevant Range was sharper on her second run off a break and isn't one to ignore from a good draw. Lauroline has been placed in no less than seven of her 11 races including six times in maidens at Dundalk. Another solid run is more than probable.
Prediction : 1st Arbaawi 2nd Hurricane Helen 3rd Relevant Range

I BID YOU AJOU can make an impact in his first handicap. He was keen in his last two races here yet, to his credit, he wasn't beaten overly far when unplaced in both. His third place over C&D in December showed what he is capable of. The first-time hood should help him settle. The way Coulstar finished for third in the closing stages of a 6f handicap at this track last month bodes well for her first attempt at this trip. Runner-up Masonbrook Meadow gave Conor Whiteley a good spin on the jockey's first ride in a claimer last week. She was nicely clear of third-placed Cool Dan who also comes back for more, while The Poacher Daly was placed in one of his five spins here and is another that could benefit from a hood being fitted.
Prediction : 1st I Bid You Ajou 2nd Coulstar 3rd Masonbrook Meadow

This looks a good starting point for the 98-rated SHE'S QUALITY. Jack Davison, who has been among the winners over the winter at Dundalk, pitched her into Group 1 races after she landed a valuable maiden at Newbury in August during her juvenile campaign. She didn't trouble the judge on either occasion, but is clearly well thought of having finished fourth in a Group 3 at the Curragh on just her second start. She is nicely in at the weights for her all-weather debut. Tarsus took a notable scalp when winning over C&D last month. He should be a tough opponent and has the advantage of of being well versed on the Polytrack in addition to race fitness. Jakajaro also had a notable juvenile season and put in a string of decent efforts. He was an easy winner of a nursery at the Curragh in July and is an interesting Polytrack debutant.
Prediction : 1st Shes Quality 2nd Tarsus 3rd Jakajaro

The booking of Colin Keane for HEZAHUNK looks significant. Blinkers brought about an improved performance when he just failed by a nose to catch the winner over this trip at the start of the month. With the blinkers retained, this could be the night he gets off the mark. Prominent-racer Jazzy Dancer has every chance of grabbing his third career success as he's holding his form well. American In Paris is on an attractive mark and signalled that another victory may not be far away when third over the minimum trip last week. James Ryan takes 5lb off Clarinbridge's back and this filly has performed creditably in fourth in her last two appearances. Cherry Bloom is coming down the weights while Phil's Dream is another capable of a big run. Blinkers are tried on Havana Notion who is far from out of contention.
Prediction : 1st Hezahunk 2nd Jazzy Dancer 3rd American In Paris