Freescape might complete a polytrack hat-trick and book his ticket to Dubai by landing the Happy Christmas From All At Dundalk Handicap at Dundalk’s final meeting of 2021.
The David Marnane-trained six-year-old competed in Grade 1 company in Dubai in the spring of last year and, already a five-time winner at Dundalk, he’s likely to return to the UAE in the New Year if he delivers again tonight and rises enough in the ratings.
Freescape triumphed over seven furlongs here in mid-November, seeing off Sister Lola and Major Power, my fancy for today’s Crowne Plaza Hotel Handicap (6.00.).
Upped 2lb., he followed-up., over a mile, two weeks later, beating Akhlaaq and French Rain, a victory which earned him a further 4lb. hike in the ratings.
Stepping up to an extended mile and a quarter could bring further improvement from Oisin Orr’ s mount – he finished fourth to Sky Seven over course and distance in August of 2020 and finished second at Leopardstown on his only other attempt at ten furlongs.
The field is full of potential dangers. But Freescape is expected to continue on his winning ways.
A beaten odds-on favourite last time, Gavin Cromwell’s Together Aclaim might make amends in the two-year-old maiden.
Beaten a half-length by Lesson Learned on his penultimate start, this 79-rated gelding bumped into subsequent impressive winner Doitforandrew last time and deserves to open his account.
Earlier, the Ger Lyons-trained Obtain might give 10lb. claimer Sean Bird his first success in the saddle in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 2-Y-0 Race.
Peter O'Hehir's tips for Dundalk
4.00.Obtain
4.30.Together Aclaim
5.00.Business
5.30.Prisoner’s Dilemma
6.00.Major Power
6.30.Moshammer
7.00.Freescape
7.30.Arctic Blaze
Next Best
4.00.Sacred Territory
4.30.Barbapapa
5.00.Acquiescent
5.30.Eglish
6.00.San Andreas
6.30.Sunwalk
7.00.Dalvey
7.30.Picpoul
Double : Major Power and Freescape.
O’Hehir’s Longshot : Surprising Power (6.30.)
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