4.35pm Dundalk Tips & Betting Preview 12/07/2017

A field of eight make this a fascinating handicap at Dundalk on the all weather, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Talented at his best and rated 113 at his peak, MOVIESTA has been racing in tougher contests of late and will appreciate this drop back in class. He was last seen at the Curragh in Listed action, not beaten far in fifth and a drop back into handicap company should help him gain his seventh career victory. Robbie Downey takes 3lb off his back which is a further help and it’s hard to see any of these being classy enough to beat him. His biggest danger is Accalia, who is dangerous recieving so much weight.

1 MOVIESTA – Talented sprinter for Edward Lynam who is conceding eight pounds and upwards to his rivals in this contest. He finished second in the Listed Mercury Stakes over course and distance in October and this is much easier than his latest assignment at the Curragh. He finished a good fifth in that Listed contest and back into calmer waters, he should be a very tough nut to crack with Robbie Downey taking three pounds off his back.

2 GEOLOGICAL – Highly tried five year old who has seen a lot of running and has done his fair share of winning to. He won a Limerick handicap on his penultimate start, though was well beaten on his latest start at the Curagh in July off his revised mark. He goes down markedly in trip which is of concern as he’s likely to be outpaced at this distance, with perhaps six furlongs his optimum sprinting trip. Shane Foley takes the ride but he should be settling for minor honours in this.

3 CHICLET – Course and distance winner back in June 2016 but she has struggled the last thrice off higher marks and she may just be found wanting once again off six pounds higher than that win. She showed very little on her latest handicap start here over the six in December, finishing ninth and her run in Conditions company at Newcastle was another poor effort in the circumstances. Pat Smullen takes the ride but she still makes very limited appeal.

4 ABSTRACTION – Another previous course and distance winner who has been in good form the last twice and could be coming to the boil for Natalia Lupini. He was last seen at Cork when a good third over this distance, two lengths behind Go Kart who he meets on better terms this time around. He should have come on for that seasonal debut and he clearly likes the synthetic surfaces, so he looks a big player under Ronan Whelan.

5 GO KART – Four year old filly who doesn’t win very often, but she has been in good enough form of late and she couldn’t be ruled out for the Prendergast team. She was around two lengths ahead of Abstraction on her latest start and meets that rival on worse terms, which could be tough. That said, she was a good seventh in a very tough handicap at the Curragh when last seen and there is unlikely to be much between them. Place claims under seven pound claimer Sean Davis.

6 INDEPENDENCE DAY – Filly who has been regressing form wise since a decent enough seventh at Newmarket in April and she’s hard to back on that evidence. She was last seen at Bellewstown six days ago, finishing a well beaten sixth and she looks very much up against it here under Michael Hussey. Passed over with some confidence.

7 STRATEGIC FORCE – Six year old who has been struggling on the turf of late for Gerard O’Leary, but he’s always been better on the all weather and he should be dangerous today back on his favoured surface. He is now only a pound above his mark when third over course and distance in January and he should be putting up a bold showing with Niall McCullagh taking the ride. Has to be considered for each way places.

8 ACCALIA – Last win came at this distance back in September at Down Royal in maiden company, running well on her penultimate start at Cork in June in handicap company. She was however disappointing when last seen at the Curragh, finishing a laboured twelveth and behind Go Kart. This is easier but she needs to prove she suits this all weather surface and others look stronger propositions on this occasion.