Elzaam Blue might be capable of retaining his unbeaten record in the DundalkStadium.com Handicap as the County Louth track’s Winter Series reaches its climax this evening.
Trained by Darren Bunyan, this four-year-old Elzaam gelding has scored twice over course and distance in recent weeks and, with Chris Hayes in the saddle, he’s expected to defy a 7lb rise.
The selection made his belated debut in mid-February and, supported in the market, picked-up in good style for Billy Lee to beat Jaafel by a head.
Allocated an initial mark of 75, Elzaam Blue reappeared two weeks ago and, on his handicap debut against some battle-hardened rivals, he delivered again, winning snugly under Hayes and beating two of tonight’s rivals – Adapt To Dan and Zahee, whom he meets on 6lb worse terms.
In the hope there’s more improvement to come, the 7lb rise might not prevent Bunyan’s charge completing his hat-trick.
Chief threat is another recent winner, Ger O’Leary’s Giuseppe Cassioli, like the selection up 7lb for his Irish debut success over seven furlongs here three weeks ago, on his first start since arriving from William Muir’s in England.
The Joseph O’Brien-trained Dances With Stars, who hasn’t looked entirely straightforward in some of his starts, produced a career best performance to score last time and will be fancied to follow-up, off a 6lb higher mark and under top-weight, in the Ladies Day At Dundalk 12th July Handicap over a mile and a half.
The Sea The Stars gelding travelled strongly last time, quickened and, despite leaning left, stayed on strongly to beat Jake Peter by a length and three-quarters, with the eminently consistent No Trouble in third.
Now rated 83, Dances With Stars will need to step up again if he’s to record his third win over this course and distance. But he gets the vote to confirm that form over his two rivals.
Top-weights have rock-solid claims in most of the handicap action, Lee Smyth’s Adams Barbour looks good in the Home Of Irish All-Weather.
And Eddie Lynam’s Collective Power might get his head in front in the opener.
Peter O'Hehir's tips for Dundalk
5.00.Collective Power
5.30.Dances With Stars (Nap)
6.00.Arctic Blaze
6.30.Patrick Street
7.00.Elzaam Blue
7.30.Adams Barbour
8.00.Capla Knight
8.30.National Generaux
Next Best
5.00.Samrogue
5.30.Jake Peter
6.00.Munfallet
6.30.Dubirango
7.00.Giuseppe Cassiolil
7.30.Inflection Point
8.00.Maccliff
8.30.Giladah
Double : Dances With Stars and Elzaam Blue.
O’Hehir’s Longshot : Philly’s Hope (6.00.)
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