Irish Horseracing Betting: Friday at Dundalk

005 Irish Racing / Wayne Bailey / 24 October 2008 / Leave a Comment

Gowran may have fallen foul of the weather, but we still have Listed action to look forward to at Dundalk. Wayne Bailey has more...

6:10 - European Mortgages Apprentice Handicap

An apprentice handicap for horses rated 45-60 to kick off proceedings. Nice!
This is not a race for heavy punting, so I'm just going to give Send Me Home a token vote to be placed in a tricky affair. The CD winner is no stranger to Dundalk, and usually performs well on the Polytrack. Topweight may hold him back somewhat, so place betting is the safest option.

Advice: Back Send Me Home in the place market (small stakes).


6:40 - Blockbuster Environmental Median Maiden Auction

Riobamba has shown that she's one of those tough fillies who can be relied upon to put in a good battle. Her two career starts to date were at this track, and on both occasions she put in a gutsy performance which suggested improvement. John Oxx should always be noted at Dundalk too however, so I'm keeping Blushing Soul on my side in the place market.

Advice: Back Riobamba to win, and Blushing Soul to place.


7:10 - Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Fillies Race

With three career wins and ten placings under the belt, She's Our Mark looks like a solid bet. True enough, it's been a while since she's seen the winners' enclosure, but she's still knocking on the door and definitely looks the best on paper. Fran Berry on board Jalmira should give her the most to do.

Advice: Back She's Our Mark to win


7:40 - Cumiskey Real Estates Handicap

As pointed out many times on these pages, Ger Lyons' horses should always be noted at Dundalk, and Leandros can return to winning ways tonight despite the weight burden. It's interesting to see that Lyons is putting blinkers on and hopefully they'll help him on his way to the winning post. My own ratings have him ahead of these by some way, so I'll be surprised if he's not placed at the very least.

Advice: Back Leandros to win and place


8:10 - European Mortgages Nursery

Once again, I'm sticking with a Lyons horse, and believe that Cosmic Breeze can finally cross the line first after some reasonable performances here over six furlongs. Her last race was over the mile distance and it clearly didn't suit. I'm hoping for a nice price on this one, but it's also hard to ignore Pax Soprana, another definite improver.

Advice: Back Cosmic Breeze to win, and Pax Soprana to place.


8:40 - Mercury Stakes (Listed Race)

The big race of the night and it's attracted quite a good field (is it still called the field if the race is on Polytrack?), including a few from across the water. Borderlescott is sure to be in contention, but I've decided to dutch the two Dandy Nicholls entries - Masta Plasta and Peace Offering. The former has been a great servant for Nicholls and is rarely out of the frame, while the latter has had a cracking year so far, despite being around the block more than a few times now.

Advice: Dutch Masta Plasta and Peace Offering.


9:10 - Anthony Duffy Construction Ltd. Handicap

Another race I won't be heavily involved in cash wise, but Jessica Harrington's Sandymount Lady looks the one to beat judging by her recent performances here. She's only had three runs to date, but appears to be slotted in nicely at 9st 8lbs. Luzdeluna's fortunes have dipped since winning at Leopardstown last year, but he came back to form somewhat when placing here in an average handicap back in August.

Advice: Back Sandymount Lady to win, and Luzdeluna to place.


9:40 - European Mortgages INH Flat Race

Can I be the most unoriginal man in Ireland and suggest backing Nina Carberry in the bumper? There's not a lot to go on here, but the word on the grapevine is that Lifes Star been well at home and they're expecting a win very soon. Stakes should be kept to a minimum however.

Advice: Back Lifes Star to win (small stakes).