Yesterday’s Review

1pt e/way Shoot To Kill (108) – A carbon copy speed figure, at the weights, of his winning time over the mile at this venue in September. One cannot ask for more than that, and credit must go to Sir Oliver (109) who put up a career best equalling performance. Result 3rd 9/2 adv…100/30JF

1pt e/way Balqaa (86) – One could use the combination of the slow start and lack of pace as an excuse for a below par performance, but the winner Jewel Maker came from a similar position to the selection. It would be fair to say that Balqaa needs too much to go right for her during her races to back with confidence.

1pt e/way Power Of Darkness (102) – The selection recorded a time which was 2 lengths per mile slower than his effort behind Gobi Sunset. Luckily for each way punters he managed to finish in the frame. Result 3rd 8/1 adv…17/2 SP

Today’s Advice

Hero Of The Hour (7f Hcap) – This 6yo gelding caught the eye on his career debut back in 2021 over the mile, at this venue, when trained by James McAuley. A step back up in trip, since being campaigned over sprint distances, has been eagerly awaited after the son of Lord Kanaloa finished 4th at 50/1 for this column behind Beleaguerment in March last year. Local trainer George Kingston has done very well in getting three wins from him, and seeing his handicap mark rise from (47) to (64). The handicapper has been very quick to drop him in the weights this season, following two efforts over 6f at this track, and he now finds himself 2lbs below his last winning mark. He is only second reserve for today’s (3.45) Dundalk, so he will need two horses to drop out, but if he can reproduce any of his best form from last season he should be very competitive in today’s contest.

Albatala & Shining Aitch (10f 150y Hcap) – The John McConnell trained Albatala has yet to race on sand, however, there is a chance that the handicapper may have let this 4yo filly in lightly off a mark of (55) for today’s (4.50) Dundalk. She looked unlucky when going down by a nose to David Garrick in a Curragh handicap on Soft to Heavy going last month. Her Racing Post Rating of (64) would indicate that she could be well treated for today’s contest. Her sire Belardo has a decent strike rate round here scoring with 12 runners from 82 (14.6%). Shining Aitch is a horse followers of this column will know well. The handicapper has dropped him a pound since running in a faster than par handicap behind The Mpex Kid, and he looks a shade overpriced if he get’s the decent pace he needs to aim at.

Geelong (10f 219y Hcap) – This 4yo gelding has been progressing nicely since reaching a career low handicap mark of (56) for trainers Paul & Oliver Cole. A C&D win by 6 1/2 lengths in September, in a fast time, signalled a return to form for the well handicapped son of Australia. He has been rated as high as (77) in the past, so should still be competitive from his new mark of (67) for tonight’s (8.00) Kempton. The booking of Luke Morris and an inside draw should also be seen as positives.

1pt e/way Hero Of The Hour (9/1 Paddy Power/888sport/Coral/Ladbrokes 4 places) 3.45 Dundalk

0.5pt e/way Albatala (15/2 Paddy Power/888sport, 7/1 General 4 places) 4.55 Dundalk

0.5pt e/way Shining Aitch (30/1 Paddy Power, 28/1 General 4 places) 4.55 Dundalk

1.5pts e/way Geelong (11/2 William Hill, 5/1 General 4 places) 8.00 Kempton