Russian Soul© Photo Healy Racing
Dundalk stages their annual 12th of July fixture this afternoon, with the Marshes Handicap the feature.
Fourteen horses have been declared for this five-furlong contest, with 2015 winner Russian Soul back to defend his crown.
The Mick Halford-trained eight-year-old has won on his last two visits to Dundalk, but finished a disappointing eighth to Fast In The Wind at Fairyhouse on Sunday.
Halford is also represented by the twice-raced Golden Pearl and Shane Foley takes the ride on this daughter of Oasis Dream, while 7lb claimer Conor McGovern gets the leg-up on Russian Soul.
Phil McEntee sends across Gentlemen from his Newmarket base, and the son of Ad Valorem has already won five times this year.
Pat Smullen has been booked to ride Chiclet for Tracy Collins, while Blood Moon Togoville and Ostatnia are other leading contenders.
Smullen rides Cliento in the opening Coral.ie Best Price Guaranteed On All Irish Races Claiming Race, and this 85-rated gelding should prove hard to beat.
The champion jockey also looks to have strong claims aboard Kidd Malibu in the Coral.ie Bet E5 Get E20 In Free Bets Maiden.
This Dermot Weld trained chestnut has filled the runner-up spot on his last two starts, and he should be able to make the breakthrough now.
Weld introduces Zamira in the Coral.ie Paying 7 Places In The Open Championship Maiden, and it will be interesting to see how this daughter of New Approach gets on.
She has most to fear from fellow newcomer Tripilicate, while My Fantasea and First Class Ticket are other obvious dangers. Matriarch who wears a visor for the first time, should give a good account of herself in the Coral.ie Download The App Apprentice Handicap. Yamato Arcara and Pillar are a few for the shortlist in the Coral.ie Money Back If Your Horse Is Beaten By A Length Handicap.
The concluding Coral.ie Bet & Watch Irish And UK Racing Live Handicap is another wide open contest but the Gordon Elliott-trained Dove Mountain is likely to prove popular here with Pat Smullen booked to ride.
