Harry's Bar just gets the better of stablemate Laugh A Minute© Photo Healy Racing
Dundalk is familiar territory for punters on a Friday evening and the highest quality event on the Polytrack is saved for last as Harry’s Bar and Speak In Colours go head-to-head in the DundalkStadium.com Race.
Just four go to post for this six-furlong test in the absence of Vento Del Drago (in season) and there is little to choose between the chief protagonists on official figures.
Speak In Colours has proved a grand servant to connections winning three times at Group 3 level and is currently on a rating of 111 having enjoyed a career high last year when landing the Group 2 Weatherbys Ireland Greenland Stakes at the Curragh.
However, the six-year-old grey has yet to race on the all-weather and that may give the edge to Harry’s Bar who is also in receipt of 4lb.
The son of Exceed And Excel was bought out of the James Fanshawe’s yard for 75,000 guineas at the Tattersalls Horses-In-Training Sale last October and Shamrock Thoroughbreds made an immediate return on their investment by landing the Listed Belgrave Stakes over this course and distance. Alfredo Arcano an eight-time winner at this venue, and recent maiden winner Woodrow complete the line-up.
Whatever the fate of Speak In Colours, his trainer Joseph O’Brien has good chances elsewhere on the eight-race card including with Devil’s Outlaw in the mile maiden (6.30).
The War Front colt progressed nicely from his debut when just denied by stablemate Visualisation a fortnight ago and this extra furlong should suit.
O’Brien is double-handed in the Hollywoodbets Horse Racing And Sports Betting Handicap (4.30) where the front-running Bluebeard’s Castle and impressive maiden winner Tower Of Pisa both come here in good form. Drish Venture has proved a great money-spinner for Thurles-based trainer Donal Commins and the speedy son of Mehmas bids for a hat-trick in the opening Winter Series Awards At Dundalk Stadium Handicap (4pm).
Incidentally the Michael Halford-trained Hodd’s Girl is also on a hat-trick after scoring twice here over the minimum trip.
