GEORGE SET FOR A PAY DAY IN DUBLIN

Ian Fortune

Dundrum George set a strong standard in the semi-finals of the Book Your Trials Online A2 last Friday evening and he can follow up in tonight’s €2,000 to the winner decider.

The seventh race on a nine-race card at Shelbourne Park, it is the feature of a decent card which also includes the semi-finals of the February Monthly Novice ON2 525.

Dundrum George failed to dictate the pace into the turn last week but was simply too hot for his rivals from halfway, powering home to win by three and three quarter lengths in 29.43 (Rated .30 slow).

The next fastest qualifier is Itsonlyanoption, who finished second to Dundrum George in the semis, and he is a possible pace-setter again but the nod for second goes to Real Delight.

She didn’t have much luck in the semis but stayed on to finish second to Playdate Storm. One suspects she can go considerably faster. Aussie Promise is perfectly housed on the rail, while the remaining trio of Itsnotanoption, Rathdaniel Ruth and Pladate Storm can also get involved if things fall in their favour. That said, Dundrum George remains the one to beat and he can prove too hot to handle if receiving a clear passage.

ALDANTE TO GET LOOSE AGAIN

Both ArdrahanAldante and Droopys Mezza will wear the orange jacket in their respective semi-finals in the Monthly Novice ON2 and both are chosen to emerge on top.

The former went fastest in the opening round, winning in 29.16 (.30 slow), but he will ned to repeat that form with Crafty Hopscotch a serious threat, while Ballymac Jayah is also set to improve on last week’s form. ArdrahanAldante is just chosen ahead of Crafty Hopscotch but will need to get to the front early.

MEZZA TO OPEN ACCOUNT

Droopys Mezza was actually second to ArdrahanAldante last week but displayed plenty of promise in defeat.

She has almost four lengths in hand on the clock with her next fastest rival and is selected to open her account at the expense of New Plan and Underterred.