Santa Monica set for winning return
A daughter of Mastercraftsman, she has been off the track since disappointing at Gowran Park in October. But her earlier form, in competitive maidens, and a rating of 88 entitle her to the vote in this five-runner affair over an extended mile and a quarter.
Santa Monica’s juvenile form included a fourth to Bridget’s Folly in Tipperary and a similar placing behind Miss Gossip in a Leopardstown maiden.
But her stand-out piece of form was an excellent fourth behind Tanaza, Alice Springs and Turret Rocks in the Group 3 Silver Flash Stakes at Leopardstown in July.
Clearly, a reproduction of anything approaching that effort would see her open her Account tonight.
The Andy Oliver-trained Collision Course stepped-up significantly on his maiden form when finishing three and a half lengths fifth behind Awtaad at the Curragh last month.
That effort earned him a rating of 96 and, while it remains to be seen whether he can live up to such a billing, the grey should be capable of overcoming Mittersill and Palmetto Dunes in the Dundalk Stadium Maiden.
Meanwhile, in Kilbeggan, The West’s Awake, runner-up to Derulo on his seasonal and hurdling debut at Down Royal recently, should be tough to beat for Edward O’Grady and Mark Walsh in the Tullamore Maiden Hurdle.
