Heartrate can gain a deserved win at Dundalk on Friday evening after a couple of solid runner-up efforts.
Kieran Cotter’s charge has been placed twice from three outings and bumped into a nice sort when second here on his return to action earlier this month.
That form looks good now after his victor, Almendares, went on to win a hot little conditions race here last Thursday.
A mark of 79 looks fair enough for the Dragon Pulse gelding and he is entitled to improve a little bit from that comeback effort.
He had also been second in a good Cork maiden last September and looks a decent sort.
The danger may be the Johnny Murtagh-trained filly Artemis Jones, who shaped well on her debut run here last month.
Interestingly she wasn’t far off Almendares, who finished runner-up that day.
That rival has improved since but the line of form still leaves her coming out on a similar level to the selection.
Initial Attempt is another with placed form that has to be considered but his official rating of 71 leaves him with a bit to find.
A couple of races earlier, it may pay to give Roman Bull another chance with Declan McDonogh taking over from an inexperienced apprentice.
The Teofilo gelding has finished runner-up here on his last two visits here but hasn’t been a straight forward ride for his young rider on either occasion.
Having hung left on his penultimate start he was too keen last time and it’s no surprise to see a more senior rider employed now.
Judged on his last couple of efforts he could be on a nice mark at the moment.
In the preceding mile-and-a-half handicap, Supreme Law may be able to strike now after a big run on his first outing for Matthew Smith.
The Lawman gelding stayed on well to get within half-a-length of Hinemoa here a fortnight ago when trying this trip for the first time.
Colin Keane is an eye-catching booking now and off just a 2lb higher mark he looks capable of landing a race of this standard.
South African rider Mpumelelo Mjoka looked polished when guiding Fleetfootsoldier to success here eight days ago and that unexposed gelding may be able to follow up.
He attracted support at some fancy prices last week and won a competitive contest. A 2lb rise could be lenient for a horse that looks open to further improvement.
FRIDAY'S DUNDALK SELECTIONS (NEXT BEST)
4.50 Collective Power (Dun Na Sead)
5.25 Supreme Law (Lex Maxima)
6.00 Roman Bull (Higher Kingdom)
6.30 Hero Of The Hour (Poet’s Pride)
7.00 Heartrate (nap) (Artemis Jones)
7.30 Fleetfootsoldier (Bright Dick)
8.00 Jaafel (Circles)
8.30 Feature This (Numidia)
