7.00pm Dundalk Tips & Betting Preview 23/12/2016

As expected, the sixth race of the day here at Dundalk, a maiden contest, is very tricky to piece together. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

Just being headed close home when all out to hold on, ZANJABEEL was very unlucky not to win over C&D on his latest start off 75. He should be able to derive improvement from that solid effort and will give another bold sight for the in-form Gordon Elliot team, with Billy Lee aboard to do the steering.

Quite disappointing over hurdles for WIllie Mullins, River Run is now with Denis Cullen and is one to note now back on the flat seeing as he was not disgraced on several starts in France on turf. Has not been seen since September when being struck into at Listowel over hurdles. However, if he is fully ready to go on his first flat run since July 2013, he will have a live chance under Niall McCullagh.

A winner of a bumper and one run over hurdles, Runyon Rattler has to be of some interest on his first run on the flat. He should handle this surface and the trip should not pose too much of an issue either, so he should have each way claims in a relatively weak race.

Showing good form at the Curragh and at this venue, Train Time was a shade disappointing when seventh of 13 here over C&D earlier this month. His second in November over the same C&D shows he does have the ability, but he needs to bounce back after that latest effort, which can only be taken in confidence.

Flattening out towards the finish, Sitting Bull ran well on debut for Tony Martin when fourth over shorter here earlier in the month (1m 2f, Std) and still has the potential to improve. Judging by his pedigree, stepping up in trip would not suit. However, he did run well for a long way here on debut, so he may well stay and has place claims.

Did not show much on debut, but keeping on well to finish second here over C&D, The Paris Shrug showed promise on only her second start under rules. She has a nice enough pedigree and should improve further for that run, with the booking of Colin Keane an obvious advantage. She, therefore, has to be considered today.

After running two good races either side of an unrealistic challenge in a listed race at Navan, Ruth Melody has only run the three times and should have plenty more improvement left in her for Lee Smyth. Donnagh O’Connor takes off a useful 5lb and, if she can build upon those promising runs here, she could be an interesting contender today.