FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

17:00 Dundalk

A very competitive looking 12 furlong handicap awaits in the third at Dundalk this evening and with a plethora of former course winners the majority have solid form at the venue.

Estepona Sun produced a much better performance when 4th last time out and if he can build upon that effort shouldn’t be too far away however I’m not convinced this step up in trip I going to suit given his running style.

Wild Shot has won here a few times before but despite having conditions to suit this evening the handicapper may have him in his grasps with too much weight on his back.

The two currently vying for favouritism are Denis Hogan’s Fox Leicester and the five year old Kingslayer. Fox Leicester racked up a series of positive results before finally finding his way into the winners enclosure last time. Likely to be in the mix once again but I fear the extra weight will be enough to see him find one or two too good. Kingslayer on the other hand went well off the same mark last time out and should appreciate a step up in trip. Of the two more fancied runners it’s Andrew McNamara’s charge I fear most.

All that being said however it’s Cursory Glance that makes the cut as my selection. A winner here four starts back he’s not been far away in his three subsequent starts. His last effort indicated a step up in trip would suit and that’s what he’s got this evening. With the additional positive of having top-jockey Colin Keane booked for the ride I’m convinced he’ll finish in the top three at a decent price.

CURSORY EXAM (E/W)

18:00 Dundalk

I wouldn’t normally be one for opting to give two selections in one race however with one of them the current reserve there’s no guarantee they’re going to line up.

So starting with said reserve Bobby K was nowhere near when last over 10 furlongs here last time however he’s got all of his best all-weather form over tonight’s one mile trip. With one win and three placed finishes from just five course and distance starts it’s safe to say he loves these conditions and all of those performances came with more weight on his back. If one of his rivals doesn’t take up their spot his current 12/1 price looks massive if he gets his chance to race.

The other and more well fancied runner that I also like the look of is the Eddie Lynam trained Punk Poet. Another course and distance winner who wasn’t far away when 5th here last time out. This level of opposition perhaps isn’t as tough as he’s been competing against of late and with the yard in blistering form (Currently operating at a 50% strike rate) it’d be foolish not to think he wouldn’t go close.

Of the rest fellow course victor Tyrconnell should be able to produce another positive performance after a decent 4th last time out and the lightly raced Catena Zapata, who has a very good course and distance record could go well at a decent price now back on an artificial surface if he can overcome his 176 day stint on the sidelines.

PUNK POET (E/W)

BOBBY K (E/W) written by Rory Paddock