Shield can put rivals to the sword in maiden
The selection’s last three outings have been over flights, producing his best effort to date last time when chasing home Willie Mullins’ Lucky Bridle at Thurles.
His last appearance on the flat came at the Curragh in October, when the Dylan Thomas gelding left a bad effort at Ballinrobe previously solidly behind, coming from off the pace to take third to McKinley and Cape Glory.
It is also worth noting that Shield won a bumper at Leopardstown in March, a contest that subsequently worked out quite nicely.
He shapes like a horse who is a strong stayer and, hopefully, will add to O’Brien’s strike rate at Dundalk, which currently stands at an impressive 33%.
Vector Force, third in all three of his races so far, can get off the mark in the Dundalk Stadium Racecourse Of The Year Maiden.
Vector Force’s latest run was on this track nine days ago, beaten three parts of a length by David Wachman’s Quadrivium.
The son of Kodiac is certainly no star, but is tough and resolute and this represents a good opportunity.
David Marnane’s Seanie gets the nod to defy top weight in the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey And Trainer Awards 2013 Handicap.
Well backed here last Friday, over seven furlongs, he was grabbed late and beaten a head into second by Indian Landing. The four-year-old returns off the same mark, so has to be fancied to at least go close again.
