Dundalk Preview
Friday 20th March 2020
Author: Jordan Yates
In what has seen one of the most testing times in modern living sweep our planet, we have been stripped of pretty much all sporting activities, including racing. However, the show goes ahead in Ireland, albeit behind closed doors. In this preview I’ll be going through my punts on this Friday’s All-Weather card at Dundalk, so sit back and enjoy.
TENNESSEE WILDCAT @ 13/2 (Each Way) – 1.30 Dundalk (Apprentice Handicap)
Tennessee Wildcast is certainly no stranger to this track having raced here a pretty hefty 25 times, winning on three occasions. He arrives here having his first run for Johnny Levins and has been sliding down the weights after a string of average efforts. He hasn’t won since August 2019, when winning off a mark of 88 at Gowran Park and he nows runs off 62 with a handy four-pound claim. He clearly has enough ability to threaten off today’s mark, you take the chance on where he fancies it or not though.
LINE JUDGE @ 2/1 – 2.00 Dundalk (Median Auction)
This has the potential to be a decent little race and the powerful duo of Joseph O’Brien and Qatar Racing is where I’ve decided to send me allegiance. They’re represented here by Line Judge who was last seen back in January when finishing third on debut here, it’s likely that there is significant improvement to come off the back of that effort and she’s every chance of playing a big role here. Her two main dangers appear to be Flower Garland and Aerclub.
YUFTEN @ 4/9 – 2.30 Dundalk (Claiming Race)
This claimer looks to between the two stablemates at the top of the market in Yuften and Tony The Gent. On ratings, the nine-year-old Yuften is 17 pounds clear of his main rival here and despite the seven-pound claim should just prove too good. He once had a rating of 105 when trained in the UK by Roger Charlton, them days are long gone but he should still be too good for this lot.
JULIET ROSE @ 1/1 – 3.00 Dundalk (Maiden)
Joseph O’Brien holds the key once more here for me with another potentially decent filly in Juliet Rose. This daughter of Camelot has improved with each run so far in her two outings, finishing second here on her most recent outing last month. If natural progression resumes again here she’s every chance of going very close. Dutch Admiral looks her main danger, and a mention also to the Dermot Weld trained Haparanda who sports the Aga Khan silks.
MITHMAAR @ 6/1 (Each Way) – 3.30 Dundalk (Handicap)
This is one of the most competitive races on the card and I’ve taken a chance on Mithmaar for Denis Hogan and jockey Joe Doyle. He arrives here as one of the least exposed and whilst still looking quite green the last day, he still finished a very decent fourth here. He probably wouldn’t need to improve on that to play a part and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he did have some progression in him.
IRRADIATE @ 5/1 (Each Way) – 4.00 Dundalk (Handicap)
Irradiate won a handicap here back in November when stepped up to two miles, and has since gone on to post a couple of more decent efforts at the trip. He wasn’t far away at all here on his latest outing in a close-up finish, and now back in distance, there’s nothing to say he won’t go close again under a very useful claim.
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