6.35pm Dundalk Tips & Betting Preview 14/10/2016

A large field competitive apprentice handicap is upon us so finding the winner could be tricky but it is not often you see Michael Wigham venture to Ireland with a runner. His gelding NONA BLU (5/1) has been knocking on the door in recent starts and this looks a great opportunity to get his head in front. He was finished in the runner up spot on all four latest starts, finding only Ravenhoe too good at Beverley last time out. He has a decent draw in Stall 7 and if the money comes, it’s not often Mr Wigham leaves it behind.

1 DARK ALLIANCE – Destroyed Balmont Mast here at Dundalk over 6f in 2014. Won on the turf at Naas in August this year, winning the race in the stewards’ room. Down the field on all three starts at the Curragh since but Mick Halford farms Dundalk so could well bounce right back to form here.

2 FAIRY FOXGLOVE – Seems to always run a good solid race at this track and won very well in the hands of Anna O’Brien here over the mile in September. Decent 4th at Laytown on the beach when last seen and must be considered with Anna back in the saddle back at this course again.

3 MORE THAN MUNNY – Pretty lightly raced and won over six furlongs here on his second start back in January. Six starts since haven’t produced much and was well beat here last time out so has to improve a good bit to get involved. Good draw in Stall 4 and Oisin Orr is a good booking.

4 YAMATO – Big Bad Bob gelding trained by Mick Halford who does extremely well at this track. Best run by far came over this course and distance two starts back when beat a neck by Victorious Secret. Good draw in Stall 3 once more and looks sure to be in the mix. Ran well at Galway last time out when 6th from a poor draw in Stall 10.

5 NONA BLU – United Kingdom trained raider who enters the race after four frustrating seconds in a row. Michael Wigham is a dangerous trainer so it could be telling that he has ventured to Ireland for this contest. Competitive affair but this is the horse that all have to beat on the form book.

6 HOLLYBROWNE – The John Feane stable are in flying form at present and they look a Dundalk winner so this is an interesting horse. The Holy Roman Emperor filly was a staying on 4th to Flowerhill Nova over 6 furlongs here last time so the step up in trip should suit. Lively player.

7 INDIAN LANDING – Three time course and distance winner so merits huge respect for the Tracey Collins stable. Fine third to My Good Brother at Laytown after six poor runs in a row so that should set it up nicely for this 8 year old with improvement expected. Each way chance.

8 APPOINTMENT ONLY – Makes handicap debut off a decent mark after three runs down the field at big prices at Gowran and twice here at Dundalk. If any money comes for the horse it could be significant but on all known form he has to improve a bucket load. Watch the market.

9 BLACK AGNES – Lee Smyth trained three year old filly by Holy Roman Emperor who forged clear to win over a mile here last Friday. Up 9 pounds for that so this will be much tougher and she is drawn out in the car park in Stall 13. However, she won from Stall 14 last week which was extremely impressive.

10 MURMURATION – Finished 3rd to Moonlight Magic (Group 3 winner and ran in the Epsom Derby) at Cork on her second start but has never progressed from that run. Well down the field on all four starts since and needs to show a lot more before a bet could be considered.

11 ARBOURFIELD – Has won on last two starts at Dundalk so clearly loves it here. Well backed favourite last time out and given a peach of a ride by Billy Lee to beat Twistsandturns by half a length. Up four pounds for that so still looks well enough treated but poor draw out in Stall 12 to deal with.

12 SPIRIT BE WITH YOU – Natalia Lupini’s 39th career runner and she has saddled two winners to date so she is capable. Well down the field when 24th at the Curragh last time out and was well beat on only all weather start here at Dundalk. Impossible to fancy.

13 STAR LINKS – First run back for this yard after a spell with Sylvester Kirk who got a win out of the horse at Kempton in February off a mark of 48. Four pounds higher here and has a seven month break to overcome so could well need this run. Drawn in Stall 10 also not ideal and best swerved.

14 TENNESSE WALTZ – Having his first run for the David Marnane stable after leaving Noel Lawlor. Runs off just 8-4 and Mr Breslin takes off a further two pounds in the saddle. Down in trip and has decent form at Dundalk, placed in three of his four starts at the track. Currently 40/1 which could be too big.

15 KNIGHTS TEMPLAR (FIRST RESERVE) – Won at Down Royal over this trip in 2015 but has run very poorly since and although he has a falling mark, is impossible to fancy. Past course and distance winner.

16 PRODLIC (SECOND RESERVE) – Well beat on all three starts at 100/1, 100/1 and 50/1 to date, showing no promise whatsoever. Impossible to fancy on handicap debut.