17.45 Dundalk: Handicap,1m 2f 150yds - The finale at Dundalk today is a fiercely competitive affair. you can make easily the case for numerous contenders in this race. This is really good quality and it's nice to see as always that Irish trainers embrace All-Weather will full hands.
Favouite Panama Hat is on a five timer and is sure to go well again, but needs to adapt to a new surface, trip and a much higher mark, which doesn't make the task an easy one. Lightly races The Big Cat won a Navan Handicap after an okay debut here at Dundalk. The merit of the form is questionable, but if the further step up in trip can bring out more improvement, this 3yo has a an obvious chance as bottom weight. Azurite seems on a high enough mark, but is likely to haven't shown his best yet and can be forgiven the last two runs. He is better and can feature strongly today. Hes Our Music won a Conditions race in nice style over course and distance back in April and that form gives him a chance. Even though the high draw is not ideal since he's best when on the lead. Also a career best is required.
Michael Halford's Zarib might have still a bit improvement left, now trying a new trip which should suit on pedigree. He has fair form to offer and proved he takes well to the All-Weather when getting off the mark here last winter. He's an interesting runner with the weight for age allowance. Galway Festival winner Vastonea might find trip and revised mark a bit too much today, while Akasaka seems to love the air at the County Louth track as he usually runs big here.
David Wachmann's General Brook dropped marketly in trip at Galway and was pretty badly hampered in the closing stages in the big Topaz Mile. He'll be better suited by this trip and been in good form this season with two valuable Handicap successes at Cork and Leopardstown. He tries this trip only for the second time and should relish it on pedigree, same goes for the surface. He seems still open to a bit of improvement and can't be discounted from a good draw. Ned's Indian doesn't strike as particularly well handicapped but is a course specialist could run very well in hands of a capable 3lb claimer. Egyptian Warrior gets assistance of a ten pound claimer yet doesn't seem to have anything in hand today. Captain Cullen goes well at Dundalk, but may find the trip too far.
Verdict: Plenty of chances, many interesting runners, the 3yo have a strong hand in this, yet I fancy the four year old General Brook at 14/1, which seems too big. He's well in form this season, seems still progressing, should get the trip and shouldn't mind the surface. Unlucky at Galway, he could be able to bounce back with a handy draw that gives him every chance to be in the right position when it matters. The yard goes well too, and money seems arriving for him - he is the value in the race according to my book.
General Brook @ 14/1 Bet365 - 1.5pts E/W
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We had a nice winner yesterday with Breton Rock at Newbury. A career best saw him getting up in a photo finish, prevailing against favourite Gregorian. He travelled nicely throughout and looked for a long way to have the measure of Gregorian, but it got really close eventually and only a tiny little nose was between the two on the line.
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