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Plenty of runners at Dundalk in handicaps today
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First-time blinkers for both selections
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McGuinness magic with first-time blinkers?
Back Two Two Time @ 8.515/2 in the 14:05 at Dundalk
The weather problems are continuing (at the time of writing this morning, Plumpton was off and Wolverhampton facing a further inspection), so it's best to stick with Dundalk today where there are plenty of runners.
Dundalk is a track where I hardly ever play an odds-on favourite. And last night we saw at Southwell, Berkshire Breeze getting turned over at 4/11 when brushed aside by Not Now Wendy - a horse who came there travelling like Lammtarra.
It's no surprise I am going with an Ado McGuinness runner for one of the Extra Place Specials at 'The Dalk'. Two Two Time with the first-time blinkers is worth an each-way poke from a good draw in five for the 14:05.
She's limited rated 50, and is without any sort of success in 12 attempts on the All-Weather, but in three of her last five runs she's been beaten just over 3L in each one.
The mare was over 1m4f last time and produced one of her better runs in a 0-65, and travelled reasonably well on the inside from off the cutaway. From then on, the race was carnage as they were spread right across the track and she wasn't exactly getting a clean run.
In no way was she unlucky, but there was a positive with a how she travelled. And I never really like horses sticking to the inside at Dundalk these days.
She's down to her lowest mark of 50 in her career, and was a one-time Cheveley Park horse in the red and white livery for James Fanshawe.
Hopefully the blinkers on for the first-time can perk her up and Cian MacRedmond is an apprentice I have plenty of time for around here.
Like many of the yard's runners, she's tried a few trips in her time and even 2m, but down to 1m2f might be a sensible move. With four places too for the Extra Place Special, she is a drifter this morning to fit the bill.
Can headgear help Betrayed see out the trip?
Back Betrayed @ 7.06/1 in the 16:50 at Dundalk
Another Extra Place Special and another selection with the first-time blinkers in Betrayed for County Down trainer Leanne Breen.
Judged on her last two runs over Dundalk's 5f, she has performed quite well in this basement level and a replication of one of those runs up to 6f this afternoon can see her in the money.
She was fifth behind the speedball No Speed Limit here in December and ran quite well over 6f in November in a race where he displayed plenty of pace - although ultimately went off too hard. The final furlong time suggested so and the winner came from a long way back up the inside from a beautiful Colin Keane ride. It didn't help that No Speed Limit was up there almost egging her on from the front.
However, she had the field well stretched out there at one point from the good pace, and if she's in a similar position here off the turn, she might be able to hold on for at least fourth.
Ross Whearty takes over from Niall McCullagh with a a 7lb claim and, while 5f could prove to be her best trip, she's worth a shot off such a low mark.