Santa Monica set for winning return

The Charles O’Brien-trained Santa Monica must be strongly fancied to make a successful seasonal debut in the Crowne Plaza Race & Stay Median Auction Fillies Maiden in Dundalk tonight.

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.