Friday night under the lights at Dundalk is rarely straightforward, but the 6.15 Put The Fun In Fundraising Handicap offers a clear-cut choice for those looking at the cold, hard data rather than the market hype.
The One to Beat: Una Matata (#9)
If you’re looking for a horse that knows exactly where the winning post is on this surface, Una Matata is your selection. Rated a massive 272.9 on the master ratings—nearly 20 points clear of the field—she is the form horse of the race.
She arrives on the back of a gutsy course-and-distance win just seven days ago. Adrian McGuinness’s yard is currently flying at a 25% strike rate, and with Adam Caffrey in the plate, she has the perfect draw in Stall 2 to sit just off the pace and strike late.
The Value Play: Mehman (#3)
The dark horse in the field is undoubtedly Mehman. While he’s been knocking on the door over 5f and 6f, his recent second-place finish where he “kept on well close home” screams for this step up to 7f. Off a mark of 75 and with blinkers back on, he’s the one most likely to benefit if the pace collapses.
The Lay: Go Out (#4)
The market currently has Go Out as joint-favourite at 9/4, which looks like a classic trap. He’s unexposed, sure, but he is still a maiden after four starts. Taking a short price on a horse that hasn’t proven it can actually get its head in front—especially against a hardened Dundalk specialist like Una Matata—is a high-risk strategy for very little reward.
The Verdict
The ratings rarely lie at this level. Una Matata has the habit of winning, the best recent form, and the highest numerical rating in the field. She is the professional’s choice to land the spoils.
Win Tip: Una Matata (#9)
Each-Way Alternative: Mehman (#3)