Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
SPEL IS CAST
Mick’s charge has the magic touch to succeed in higher grade
BANK on progressive three-year-old Spelga to complete a four-timer for Michael Halford and Ronan Whelan in the Betvictor Bet 5 Get 30 Offer Handicap in Dundalk tonight.
The gelded son of Sir Percy has been a revelation in recent months, opening his account off a mark of 49 in early November and following-up, off 9lb higher, just nine days later when proving too strong for Magi Gal. Those performances suggested Spelga might be suited by a stepup in trip. And, off a mark of 64, he justified that impression when beating Early Strike readily over a mile and a half here two weeks ago.
Tonight, Spelga steps up in grade, into a 45-75. But, with further improvement expected, Whelan’s mount is expected to defy his latest 8lb hike and a career-high mark of 72.
Two other recent course winners also appeal, Pat Murphy’s top-weight
May Remain in the opening five-furlong handicap and the Joseph O’brien-trained three-year-old Will Be
King in the Crowne Plaza
Apprentice Rates Race.
Successful off 56 over the minimum trip here on
November 1, May Remain triumphed at the same venue over six furlongs last week, when getting the better of A Likely Story by a half-length.
Murphy’s hand has been forced as May Remain went up 11lb for that win, but runs tonight under a mandatory 6lb penalty. And, with Ben Coen on board, he should go close.
Joseph O’brien is using the services of talented apprentice Dylan Browne Mcmonagle sparingly, protecting his claim for the turf season next year.
The teenager was seen to good effect when scoring on Will Be King two weeks ago, coming from off the pace to beat Ballycaines comfortably, for which the Charm Spirit gelding went up 7lb. There might be more to come from the Carriganog runner. And he gets the vote over the consistent War Hero and Lord Rapscallion.
The Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk 2-Y-0 Race is the best race of the night. And Will Be King’s 91-rated stable-companion Dark Vader, a comfortable winner over seven furlongs last time, sets the standard.
The Dark Angel colt, whose turf form ties in with the likes of Group 2 winner Royal Lytham and Roman Turbo, was returning after a five-month break when beating Hieroglyphic in his maiden last time and, likely to improve for that run, might have the measure of Ocean Monarch, Karbasann and his stable-companion Choice Of Mine.
Elsewhere, the Jessica Harrington, inset, trained Magic Of Light, runner-up to Tiger Roll in the Randox Health Grand National in April is back in Newbury in a bid to repeat last year’s win in the listed Thoroughbred Breeders Association Mares Chase.
Robbie Power’s mount will be a long odds-on favourite for a race she won 12 months ago and comes into the contest on the back of a distant third behind Bacardys and Apple’s Jade in the Lismullen at Navan last month.