Sarah Lynam pictured with jockey Danny Sheehy© Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Sarah Lynam has enjoyed a fine start to 2021 with five winners from six runners at Dundalk during the month of January.
The 6-year-old mare Sabrina Fairchild contributed two of those victories and she goes for a quickfire hat-trick in the concluding 6f handicap (off at 6.25pm) on this afternoon’s eight race card on the polytrack.
Shane Crosse is once again on board, the draw has been kind as she comes from stall two and the daughter of Elnadim is 6lbs ‘well in’ under her mandatory 6lbs penalty for Friday’s comfortable success as she has been raised to a mark of 75 for future handicaps. Shackleton Hero is sure to go off a short price for the 6f maiden at 5.55pm in the hands of Declan McDonogh.
The chestnut colt by The Gurkha went down by only a neck to the promising Chicago Bear over a furlong further when last seen in November, which was his third time to finish placed from four starts. The drop in trip should not be an inconvenience and connections will be disappointed if this 79-rated performer does not avail of what looks a good opportunity.
Trainer Joseph O’Brien could also be on the mark in the other maiden on the card, which is the opening contest at 2.40 pm. Melliferous made a pleasing debut at this venue last month when keeping on into fourth over 12 furlongs and, although the drop in distance to this extended 10 furlongs may not be ideal, the Fastnet Rock filly might improve enough for the run to outpoint the consistent Tooreen Angel
The latter is partnered by Andrew Slattery, and he has a good chance in the second division of the 1m4f handicap at 3.40pm on his father’s recent acquisition Pineapple Express
This one stayed on strongly on her first outing for the Slattery stable to be a closing second over 10f last time and seems sure to appreciate going back up in trip. She might be able to get the better of Never Mistabeat who was a wide margin winner in first-time blinkers at this venue last month.
Runner-up to the latter was Arctic Blaze and John McConnell’s mare could get her turn in the first leg of that 1m4f handicap at 3.10pm. It wasn’t the first time that the daughter of Roderic O’Connor has indicated ability and Shane Foley will know her a little better having ridden for the first time on that last appearance.
Although not an obvious contender on recent form, Woods in the second division of the 7f handicap at 5.25pm could also get into the shake-up for Foley.
Oliver McKiernan has his jumpers in fine fettle and had a big-priced horse finish runner-up on the polytrack on Friday.
Woods had some fair runs on the all-weather in Britain when he started off his career for William Haggas, and was beaten less than a length in a big-field handicap at Cork during the summer.
With the stable going well, the half-brother to Group 2 winner Threat might leave behind the form of his last couple of runs.
Having shown potential in his first handicap start at the Curragh in September, Benkogambit caught the eye again when coming home well for fourth behind Catherine Chroi in mid-January.
Pat Martin fits cheekpieces for the first time on his Zebedee gelding and, with a 4lb pull in the weights, he might be able to turn the tables on Gordon Elliott’s charge in the 3-y-o handicap at 4.15pm.
