To Choose can record course hat-trick under Keane

6.35 Dundalk
Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap | 2m | 3yo+ | ATR

To Choose will be bidding for a hat-trick of course wins following his victories over a mile and a half at the track last month.

The Tom Gibney-trained seven-year-old will be tackling the distance for the first time on the Flat and Colin Keane, who rode him in his last two races, is again on board.

Three of the eight runners have won over the distance or further, but Mandatario, who represents Jim Bolger, is the only course and distance winner in the line-up.

The Peter Fahey-trained Alton Bay, who will be making his Polytrack debut, has not won since scoring twice over the trip in August 2014, while Winter Lion, who represents Matthew Smith, was successful over two miles and a furlong at Limerick in June.

Pat Smullen teams up with Alton Bay for the first time, while Wayne Lordan partners Winter Lion, who is blinkered for the first time.

Carried, who represents Prunella Dobbs, and the Michael Halford-trained Venezia are both course winners over shorter trips.

What they say

Peter Fahey, trainer Alton Bay
Things didn't work out for him on his last few runs but we think small-field races probably suit him better than races with a lot of runners, and there are only seven against him this time. He hasn't raced on the surface before but should handle it, and having Pat [Smullen] on board is a bonus.

Tom Gibney, trainer of To Choose
He's untried over the trip but I think he'll get it. He's shown he likes the track and seems in good form. If he gets the distance he should have a very good chance.

Prunella Dobbs, trainer of Carried
His form is an open book. He's in great form and Shane [Foley] knows him well. He's seldom out of the money at Dundalk. He should stay the distance and I think he'll run a big race.

Michael Halford, trainer of Venezia
It's a good pot and a small field, which should suit. He's coming back from a few runs over hurdles and is in good form. He's won over a shorter trip at the course but he settles well and I think he'll get the distance.