Dundalk Top Picks – Friday, 14th April
4:35 – Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden
Excel in Space sets a fair standard after finishing 3rd here 2-weeks ago, but Aiden O’Brien and Ryan Moore had a treble here on Wednesday night and so Emperor of Rome also needs to be respected but GLOUCESTER is the horse who is bred to be a 2-year-old sprinter.
Trained by Donnacha O’Brien, he is a son of Ten Sovereigns who is a half-brother to 6 winners and comes from the family of Jersey Stakes winner Mustajeeb. He is bred for speed and his Sire made a good start to his first season when Brighter won here on Tuesday, if he is ready to run his race on debut, he could prove too quick for his 4 rivals.
6:10 – Crowne Plaza Dundalk Race and Stay Package Handicap
BARRETSTOWN has won 2 races in his 28-race career, and they have both come on the Polytrack at Dundalk, so it is no surprise to see his connections entering him before the Dundalk season ends.
He was last seen winning a handicap over this course and distance in February and although he has been raised 5lbs for that success, this looks an easier assignment, and he should still be competitive. The horses in behind him last time have all run well since to give the form a relatively solid look and he remains unexposed over this 10-furlong trip. Well drawn in stall 2, he should be able to get into a prominent position, as he did when making all to win last time and looks a solid bet in a very winnable contest.
7:10 – Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden
Despite the wide draw in stall 12, CLOUNMACON should still be hard to beat.
Johnny Murtagh’s charge ran well in 3 maidens last season and his 4th placed finish at the Curragh in October when last seen is easily the strongest form on offer here. His official rating of 88 is perhaps a little fanciful, but he has regularly shown enough ability to suggest he can win an Auction maiden and provided he can get into a prominent position, he should outclass this bunch.
