Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Shalailah a weapon of choice
SHALAILAH, having her first run for Joseph O’brien, looks the stand-out bet at Dundalk tonight.
Previously trained by Ger Lyons, this Showcasing filly has earned a rating of 97 in three starts, most notably two seconds to the highclass Happily, winner of the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes last time.
Having caught the eye on her debut in Fairyhouse, Shalailah was beaten a length and three-quarters by the Ballydoyle filly in a Curragh maiden on her second start.
She re-opposed Happily in the Group 3 Silver Flash Stakes at Leopardstown in her most recent start, this time going down by five lengths to the Group 1 filly.
Shalailah sets a high standard in tonight’s Irish Stallion Farms Median Auction Maiden and is expected to overcome being drawn in stall nine.
Man Power, a beaten favourite when fourth to Landshark at
Leopardstown on his second start, looks the obvious threat.
Beaten by Coreczka at Laytown last time but welldrawn, course specialist My Good Brother (Colin Keane) appeals in the opening fivefurlong handicap.
And Spruce Meadows might be capable of defying top-weight in the Dundalk Stadium Light Up Your Night Race.
Successful off 87 over course and distance last month, Johnny Feane’s charge finished a close third to Panstarr at the Curragh last time and, a horse in form, returning to the polytrack, he must have a big chance.
Meanwhile, it could prove another good day for Gordon Elliott in Downpatrick, kicking off with Thurles bumper winner Hardline in the opener.
Stoochie has solid claims for Elliott in the bumper while market support for Poormans Hill, having his first run for the stable in the Molson Coors Handicap Chase, would prove significant. He looks potentially well-treated.