5.30pm Dundalk Tips & Betting Preview 07/10/2016

The Dermot Weld trained TILLY TROTTER won her maiden here over this course and distance in great style last spring and will take beating if in the same mood. The best jockey in Ireland Pat Smullen gets the leg up on the two year old filly who disappointed at Naas in May when last of the thirteen runners. She came back after a break and ran a very pleasing race at the same venue when third to Grecian Divine and that should put her in good shape for this. She is already proven on the surface and the form book shows she prefers it as she beat Grecian Divine by three lengths here at Dundalk when they met.

1 ELUSIVE BEAUTY – Polytrack debut and cheekpieces go on for the very first time too. Billy Lee is an eye catching jockey booking on this Ken Condon trained filly who won at Fairyhouse in June over six furlongs. She bumped into a useful Ger Lyons horse in Noivado when a solid third at Naas last time and if she handles this surface she has to be a major player.

2 MISS COGENT – Another filly making her polytrack debut. Won a pretty weak Cork maiden in June over the minimum but has disappointed on all five starts since. There is American blood in her from the dam side so there is every chance she could improve on this surface but she needs to.

3 TILLY TROTTER – The only course winner in the field which could be a massive advantage. The Pat Smullen and Dermot Weld combination are always well respected. She absolutely hacked up on her only start here and was given a nice reappearance run when third at Naas last time out. She should strip much fitter for this and looks the one they all have to beat.

4 ZEEYALATER – Sheila Lavery trained gelding that makes his polytrack debut. He has only had four runs to date but he clearly doesn’t stay the six furlongs, well down the field on both starts over the trip. He was only beat two lengths by the well regarded Weld trainer Impart at Navan over 5f in August. A repeat of that effort would see him go well here.

5 ARABIAN VERSE – This is Mick Halford’s hunting ground so his runners always have to be respected at Dundalk. No jockey knows this course better than Shane Foley. This horse caught the eye on debut when a close 2nd to Spy Ring at Cork. She was denied narrowly by Miss Cogent at the same venue next time out but never got into the thick of it when well down the field at Naas when last seen. The cheekpieces go on for the very first time and she has a nice draw in Stall 3.

6 BLOCKSTAR GIRL – The John Feane stable have been in terrific form the past few weeks so any market support for this debutant would be interesting. She is well bred by Zoffany but is likely to need the run; the yard are not well known for first time out winners.

7 LA FEE VERTE – Down the field at Navan on debut and no improvement next time when 11th of the 13 runners here at Dundalk. The tongue strap goes on for the first time but she is impossible to fancy.

8 PORTO FERRO – Colin Keane is a very good jockey booking for this Arcano filly who showed massive improvement to finish 2nd to Courage Under Fire in a Naas maiden last time out. The Murtagh yard are in good nick at present and if she handles the surface, she is a big challenger.

9 SAMMYJADE – Probably the most consistent horse in the field. She has run some solid races in some very good maidens over the summer months and was only beat a head by Grecian Divine last time out with Tilly Trotter back in third. She is the form pick but Tilly Trotter may have her measure on this surface.