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18:15 Dundalk
I know I have the potential to be crucified for once again selecting this horse but now at 6 furlongs and with the very eye-catching jockey booking of Colin Keane is this finally the day we see Eglish go in? I think so!
Adrian McGuiness’ charge has shown glimpses of promise and a tad bit of misfortune and I just hope if all things fall into place tonight looks to be the night he returns to the winners enclosure.
Younger legs in the form of Collective Power looks to improve on his recent third placed effort. With promising jockey Jake Coen taking 7lbs off the horses back he can certainly finish in the frame once again.
Former course winner Beleaguerment was too poor to be true last time but it’s interesting to see him line up over six furlongs having not raced over this trip in sixteen starts. At current double figure odds he looks a tad overpriced and could do much better than his odds may suggest.
EGLISH (WIN)
19:15 Dundalk
The big race on the card here at Dundalk is the Group 3 Mercury Stakes where we see some quality sprinting talent.
Harry’s Bar was a very dominant winner over course and distance last time out but this looks a vast difference in the level of opposition. The chestnut gelding is a former listed winner here at Dundalk but has often failed to deliver in group race company. I couldn’t discount him entirely but is likely to find one or two too good.
The Highway Rat was the runner up behind the aforementioned Harry’s Bar last time out and aims to reverse that form. At the age of three he certainly has room to progress but to me needs to take a marked step forward now at this level.
Although we’ve focused on two Irish trained runners we have to acknowledge the English contingent that head over in an effort to steal the crown. Trainer’s Charlie Hills and Karl Burke make up the English hoard with May Sonic representing Hills and both Dandalla and Lady In France hailing from the yard of Karl Burke. Of the trio Dandalla makes the most appeal as a former Group 2 winner who is unbeaten on the all-weather. A return to this surface shouldn’t be a disadvantage and holds enough in the locker to go close.
All that being said however I can’t shake off the feeling that last years winner Urban Beat looks a massive price at current odds (at the time of writing) of 8/1. He’s been ultra-consistent this year and hails from a yard who have had a blistering season. He’s never finished outside of the top three here at Dundalk and looks a great value bet for each way punters back at this venue.
URBAN BEAT (E/W)
written by Rory Paddock
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