The first horse on Friday's Dundalk card is one that I have an eye on. Diogenes, from the Ballydoyle camp, has been unplaced in both of his starts, but has however shown great improvement on his second start. After 26 days rest, I think he's bound to improve further. He will be ridden by apprentice jockey JP O'Brien, and so will be given a 5-pound allowance. As far as the jockey himself is concerned, I think the jury is still out on the performances of the son of the Ballydoyle maestro. Because he gets so many seemingly-quality rides on paper, the expectations are very high. So whenever he performs poorly on a highly-regarded or market-backed Ballydoyle horse (something that I have witnessed), it's easy to unleash the hounds after him. Anyway, provided he gives the Galileo colt a proper ride on the all-weather track (i.e., properly use his outside stall position for breathing space and not get stuck in traffic in this 14-horse race), Diogenes should be in the frame. It has the benefit of 2 runs, unlike a few that will be having their first outing. The danger most probably will be from the Shamardal filly Asheerah. So, Diogenes to place is the recommendation for Friday.
Place: Diogenes.
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