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Irish Horseracing Betting: Friday at Dundalk

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Irish punters will have a tough job trying to decipher a bumper card of eight races at Dundalk, a meeting that's mostly made up of handicaps and maidens. Wayne Bailey attempts to point us in the right direction...

6:10 - World Sports Promotions Handicap

With all due respect to the owners and trainers, there are quite a few no-hopers in this opening race! I hate to get my article off to a negative start, but this is definitely not a race that favours the backer. In a very open contest, if any horse goes below [4.0] I'll be keen to get it in the bag as a lay. There's no real stand out horses here, and it's anyone's race really.

Advice: Lay any horse that goes below [4.0]


6:40 - Best Rate Bureau Nursery Handicap

A half sister to Arch Rebel, Sheba Five got hampered coming out of the stalls by another horse last time out here, and done well to come fifth in the end. A little birdie told me she's working well at home, and coupled with the fact that Noel Meade is firing in the winners lately, I think the filly offers a strong betting opportunity today.

Advice: Back Sheba Five to win.


7:10 - RacingFolks.com Maiden

Magic Mornings is the obvious choice here, and the filly hit the crossbar on two occasions at this venue. She should finally score with a win tonight and her previous Polytrack experience will be of benefit. However, I've a sneaky feeling that Dundalk maestro Ger Lyons has a trick or two up his sleeve with unraced Spinone, and I'll keep the colt on my side in the place market.

Advice: Back Magic Mornings to win, back Spinone to place.


7:40 - Hillgate Publishing (C & G) Maiden

I'm tempted to suggest Pozyc as a back bet here, and it's only a matter of time before he loses the maiden tag. However, I'm not keen on taking a short price in a fairly open race. If the price was [4.5] or higher I'd be keen to get involved, but layers are taking a cautious approach with Mullins' gelding and I'll sit this one out instead.

Advice: No Bet


8:10 - Horizons PR & Advertising Handicap

Course and distance winner Young Jemmy seems overpriced in the early markets and the three-year-old is rarely out of the frame, especially on Polytrack. If he performs to the best of his ability, he'll place at the very least. Another course and distance winner Cochlear should prove to be the biggest threat, but his inconsistency bothers me and you can never be sure you'll get a run for your money, so it's best to leave that horse alone tonight.

Advice: Back Young Jemmy to win and place.


8:40 - Exhale Essential Therapies Handicap (Div I)

This is not a race for heavy punting, but Vignelaure Rose is running off a low mark all considered and could make an impact tonight if she takes to the Polytrack. The mile distance is right up her street, and I think this horse is open to further improvement in the weeks and months ahead.

Advice: Back Vignelaure Rose to be placed.

9:10 - Exhale Essential Therapies Handicap (Div II)

The second division of this handicap is one big puzzle, and I'm happy to just watch here. If a gun were put to my head, I'd suggest that 9st 2lbs is a fairly low weight for Luxie if she's back to her best, and she may just nab some place money for trainer Dermot Weld.

Advice: No Bet.


9:40 - LMFM Radio Race

Farinelli is a better horse than his recent form figures suggest, and a step down to a more realistic level may be just what the doctor ordered. Jessica Harrington's five-year-old struggled in listed company last time out here, but performed well previous when coming a respectable second to Varsity back in October. Bob's Pride is another that flopped in that same listed race, and he's also one that should improve with the step down tonight.

Advice: Back both Farinelli and Bob's Pride to be placed.