BIG Gossey can prove the class act in the featured sprint handicap at Dundalk today as the all-weather track celebrates its 20th anniversary.
Charles O’Brien’s charge has become a real stable stalwart and has enjoyed a terrific year with a couple of victories, including in the €150,000 Bold Lad Handicap.
He has also been runner-up in Group Two company at his favourite racecourse, the Curragh.
The grey has recorded five of his seven career victories at HQ with the other two coming at this venue.
His last victory here came in February 2021 but he has run well on the polytrack on a few occasions since, including on two visits last month.
The handicapper has eased his all-weather mark by 4lb since he finished seventh in the Mercury Stakes here late last month.
He has gone on to win over seven in heavy ground at the Curragh since, showing more stamina than previously.
This six furlongs here looks much better for him at this stage of his career than the minimum trip over which he has run on his last couple of visits.
With the slight ease in the handicap and a more suitable trip now he looks capable of adding another win here to his CV.
Robert Whearty gets a good tune from the six-year-old and his 5lb is a help here, easing his top-weight burden.
Mickey The Steel comes into the race in fine form and has to rank as a danger.
The Hot Streak gelding has revelled in testing conditions on the turf for his recent runs but does act on this surface as well, having won his maiden over course and distance last year.
Dandyville is another leading contender having run well to finish placed here last time, following on from a win over seven furlongs at the track.
It’s a hot little race but Big Gossey gets the vote with conditions suiting him nicely.
In the seven-furlong auction maiden a couple of races earlier Ciao For Now can land another competitive contest.
The Jessica Harrington-trained filly shaped with plenty of promise when second on her debut at Leopardstown but didn’t back that up at Navan over a shorter trip subsequently.
She reportedly hung coming down the hill then and on a flat track, back at seven furlongs, she is fancied to score now.
In the mile-and-a-half maiden later on the card Time To Tell looks set to be a short price. She drops back into maiden company now having been third in the Listed Finale Stakes at the Curragh earlier in the month.
Selections
3.25 Mary Shoelaces - Scorchio
3.55 Ciao For Now (dbl) - Cuban Confusion
4.25 Little Keilee - Exquisite Acclaim
5.00 Big Gossey (nap) - Mickey The Steel
5.30 Ciao Adios - Dreams Fled Away
6.00 Elzaamsan - Riyami
6.30 Time To Tell - Saturn
7.00 Sky Legend - Hearts Are Trumps
