Friday Tipping: Sligo and Dundalk - 'his maiden win at Galway came on an easier surface and he seems versatile in terms of ground' Jump racing in Sligo on Friday afternoon starting at 12.50pm and Dundalk on the Polytrack getting underway at 5.15pm provide punters with several opportunities for horse racing betting in Ireland with a total of 15 races down for decision on both cards. With plenty of rain forecast on Friday before racing in the Sligo area, the underfoot conditions should be ideal for the ex-Aidan O’Brien-trained Puppet Master who faces four rivals in the 2m1f 158yds hurdle at 1.25pm. Although he won the Lingfield Derby Trial on fast ground for Ballydoyle last year, his maiden win at Galway came on an easier surface and he seems versatile in terms of ground reverting to hurdles on a quick turnaround. He ran with credit when third at the Curragh in the 12 furlong Amateur Derby on Tuesday and if none the worse for those exertions could take all the beating in the hands of 5lb claimer Eoghan Finegan. The booking of Dylan Browne McMonagle for Blue Anthem in the 0-60 handicap at Dundalk (6.15) over 6f is a notable one and the 4yo, a winner thrice in Britain last year when trained by George Boughey, gets the vote despite his wide draw. Having his second run in this low grade since joining Ado McGuinness after finishing runner-up in a claimer at Laytown, he was well-backed on yard debut here earlier this month. He was unlucky to run into the progressive Caffu Zafeen (Paul Flynn) who completed his hat trick at the expense of the ex Ger O’Leary inmate. The fact Blue Anthem was well backed last time (8/1 to 5/2) underlined the stable confidence on yard debut but he just bumped into a big improver and had to settle for the second berth. Although now 2lb higher he is still 12lb below his winning mark at Thirsk over a furlong shorter 16 months ago and with the assistance of the Irish champion on board for the first time might prove good enough. Mehman proved a disappointing favourite when fifth on his previous start at Dundalk but is worth another chance in the 7f apprentice handicap off the same mark. He has won five times at this venue before over shorter trips but has placed form over seven furlongs and a mile when rated higher earlier in the year. His rider Paddy Harnett is currently four behind leader Sam Coen in the apprentice title race and travels to the meeting for three rides including this 7yo whose trainer Pat Murphy saddled Cosmic Funk to score at Gowran last Monday. Sakoku (Johnny Murtagh) drops back into maiden company in the concluding 1m2f 150yds maiden (8.15pm) after running fourth tackling this surface for the first time in a handicap over course and distance four weeks ago. She hails from a stable that has been firing in the winners recently, notably when bagging a treble at Gowran earlier in the week and could open her account under in-form stable jockey Ben Coen in the 14-runner finale. Friday Staking Plan 1.25 Sligo 1pt win Puppet Master 5.45 Dundalk 1pt win Mehman 6.15 Dundalk 1pt win Blue Anthem 8.15 Dundalk 1pt win Sakoku
