Sean mc namara

I like the booking of talented apprentice Michael Kennelly on board Norman Lee’s AT THE WINGS here. Two mid-division runs out of maiden company didn’t show a whole pile, but the step up in trip today might bring about improvement. The soft/heavy is anyone’s guess, but at 20/1+ I’ll roll the dice. It’s risky as this does look a little ‘top heavy’, but one I’m willing to take for shekels.

Back down to 2 miles, 'Donnrua Dream' should come on for his recent run. That was his first run after a break, and improvement would be expected. He's a winner over this trip, he's a winner at this course, and more importantly, a winner on heavy going. OK, maybe the mark might need to come down a few ticks, but they did punt this lad LTO, so they're surely expecting improvement today. You could easily make a strong case for 5-6 in this, but rightly or wrongly, I'll come down on this side at double digits.

5 y/o mare BOSSING IT finished 3rd (beaten 9 lengths) last time out in this grade at Galway over 2 miles. Made a mistake 4 out and recovered well to finish a staying on a never nearer 3rd. The step up in trip looks sure to suit. That was good to yielding, but the dam (Is Herself About) relished the heavy and was a multiple winner in the slop. She’s very lightly raced and looks open to plenty of improvement. She’s had a bit of a break, but I’d imagine that would have done her the power of good.. chance

7 a.m. inspection tells its own story, but I’ll back one on the off chance it goes ahead. The ‘heavy’ (currently waterlogged) is the key to what we’re looking at and looking for. Very few have form on it, and the ones that do, the form is weak. There are 6 places up for offer here, so looking at a rag is the percentage call. 50/1 with Paddy Power, Elusive Prince has something to offer, albeit his last 2 runs we need to find forgiveness (easy to do so over 2 clearly inadequate trips). This 6 y/o recently joined James Barcoe from HDB, where he had snippets of form off 108 and 110 (96 today) at the 2-mile mark. He does have a 3rd on heavy going on his CV from last year in one of his maidens. All that said, it’s a very risky selection, but they’ll probably swim home in Indian file, and it’s anyone’s guess in what order.

Given how well SAN ANDRES runs here at Dundalk, it’s very easy to build a case for this 9 y/o. Joe O'Brien's charge is an 8-time winner here on the polytrack. He’s been placed here multiple times and is now back down below his last winning mark. 7lb apprentice Shay Wallace gets on very well with this charge, who won on him twice last season. Those 2 wins last year came in the 0-100 grade. The 0/90 grade here certainly won’t inconvenience him, and 11/1 is very fair if it stays the dead 8. It’s a competitive event, but he lines up with as good a chance as any.

Shane Ryder's EL REGALO ran a blunder LTO in his first handicap run. He didn’t do a whole pile in three maidens but outran his odds here, beaten 5 lengths into 6th of 16 at 50/1. He stuck to the task well and gave the impression that a jump in trip today would suit. He has snippets of flat form on soft and heavy going on the flat from last season for Emmet Mullins. Ticks a few boxes if it’s a going day.

FRIAR HOGAN has the look and feel of a potential improver now handicapping. The booking of Eoin Staples raises an eyebrow. He’s the hottest ticket in town, and you’d imagine if the Hassetts have a ‘live one,’ he’d be the guy you’d want to steer him home. This 4 y/o didn’t show much on his first two handicaps, but over an extended 2 mile 3 LTO hinted ability. Back to 2 miles today in his first handicap, this might be the spot. The 92 rating is a slight concern, but I’ll chuck an each-way penny in the well.

4 y/o WILLIAM F BONNIE might leave a few of those duck eggs behind tonight, and here’s why. He’s on a career low mark, down to 63, having won on 78 and placed in the 70s. He won on his only visit to the polytrack here last November. They’ve refitted the cheekpieces that eked out improvement in Galway during the summer, finishing 2nd (in this grade). He's won over this trip, and the low draw in stall 1 also adds hope. Definitely, others have more pressing claims, but I’ll nail my colours to the mast here on this lad.

Marbush tried to make all here LTO over a mile, had a lot of them off the bridle turning in, but faded inside the final furlong and finished 6th, beaten by 6 lengths. Back a furlong today under Milo Sheridan, who just recently rode his first winner (for Dennis Hogan). That was his third start for Hogan and his first bit of improvement. He’s a winner and placed in the UK, so he has ability. It’s an apprentice handicap and Venetian looks the one to beat, but with 4 places and at 18/1, I’ll have a wild swing!

BROWNED OFF ran well over course and distance 2 weeks ago. Tried to make all but faded in the final 100 yards to finish 4th of 17, beaten 3 lengths off the same mark as today. That was this 4-year-old's first run with a bit of undercut and showed improvement in form, leaving behind a string of duck eggs. With another bit of give in the conditions, this filly might eke out another bit of improvement. Paul Flynn’s stable is red hot and has saddled 3 winners since her last run. Ronan Wearthy takes over from Shane Foley, who is in Newmarket. It’s competitive, but I think she holds claims.

So many in with chances here. One thing is for sure, you cannot leave 7 y/o Gordon Bennett out of the conversation. OK, he hasn’t won in a while, but he will appreciate the going. Some of his best form is on the soft. He’s running off a career low mark, he’s a course and distance winner, and while the top of the market is strong, I think this lad with the added first-time cheekpieces might outrun his odds. Lots of risk, but at 20/1, lots of reward.

This is poor content. I think Carrickfinn might outrun his odds. Apart from the fact that Wesley Joyce is 1 behind in the apprentice championship and every ride is crucial, this 6 y/o has had a few good shifts this term (2nd to Deuteronomy at Gowran over the mile (33/1-13/2 being the highlight). We can put a line through his Leopardstown LTO as the draw beat it. Prior to that, he put in a great shift here, finishing 4th of 14, beaten 1 length off 45 (44 today). There are a few snippets of form, and there have been a few genuine excuses for his flops. He races prominently from the front, and with Joyce fighting for everything, I think he might be on the premises.