Timeform Irish SmartPlays: Today is the time and the Place for Vendome

Downpatrick and Dundalk are the venues for today's action
Meetings at Downpatrick and Dundalk come under the spotlight of Timeform's Irish team...
The Willie Mullins yard has been firing in the winners over the past couple of weeks and, despite a frustrating weekend with a couple of narrow reverses, remains in top form. His Zadarska (14:35) is trying to make it third-time-lucky over timber today at Downpatrick after a brace of second-placed finishes this summer and a reproduction of those efforts at Bellewstown and Roscommon should be enough to see off his eight rivals here.
Dundalk's eight-race card contains many tricky-looking handicaps, though such was the impression made by Go On Murt (19:45) on his last two visits here that he warrants support despite a hike in the weights. A couple of facile wins in similar types of events to this inevitably meant the handicapper had to act, but with the cheekpieces worn on both those occasions seemingly working the oracle, Jessica Harrington's charge can get back on the scoreboard after a creditable run in the mud at Galway since then.
The Ballydoyle operation can take the final prize of the evening with well-bred Place Vendome (21:15), who makes his belated seasonal reappearance here in a 12-furlong maiden. The form of his second to Takar at Leopardstown on his only racecourse appearance last November is strong and despite being a brother to top miler Maids Causeway, he is expected to come into his own over middle distances.
Timeform Irish SmartPlays
Back Zadarska in the 14:35 at Downpatrick
Back Go On Murt in the 19:45 at Dundalk
Back Place Vendome in the 21:15 at Dundalk
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