Wednesday Dundalk racing tip: Steel Queen set to turn the tables

As the only two previous course and distance winners in the line-up, four-year-old Je Tai Porte unsurprisingly heads the betting with old rival St Cianans Fire.

But while they might dominate the market, it is Mick Browne's lightly-raced mare Steel Queen who stands out as one most likely to give them a good run for their money.

Last week the five-year-old mare produced an eye-catching performance to finish a never-nearer third of thirteen in a handicap over this track and distance. It was her first outing for ten weeks, and her first all-weather run for Mick Browne, who acquired her from Henry De Bromhead's yard in September.

17:30 (Dundalk) Steel Queen

Under useful Brazilian jockey Cristiano Martins, who was riding her for the first time, Steel Queen raced very keenly at the back of the field wearing a first-time headgear combination, which is retained today.

The first two home both raced prominently whilst Steel Queen, who was completely ignored in the market, was held-up a long way off the pace and detached in last place of the thirteen runners in the early stages.

Martins, an experienced rider who has piloted over 400 winners in Brazil, remained composed as he guided Steel Queen round the final bend still in last place, before getting to work down the home straight. 

Despite having to switch the mare dramatically on two occasions in a bid to secure a clear path - necessary moves which inevitably cost precious yards - he brought her through into third place at the line, having passed all but two in the closing stages.

In retrospect, it was surprising that Steel Queen was allowed to race off  as a 50/1 outsider in last week's handicap. Her all-weather debut this time last year, when she was still with Henry De Bromhead at, saw her finish third of fourteen in a maiden over the same course and distance, so the seeds had already been sown.

Whilst racing on level terms, she finished just a neck behind Mads Black Eights in that maiden, and that same rival finished second behind today's favourite, Je T'ai Porte in the race we referred to here last Friday.

Mads Black Eights conceded five pounds to Je T'ai Porte whilst Steel Queen, who had finished within a neck of Mads Black Eights on level terms, now receives eleven pounds from Je T'ai Porte.

On that line of form. Steel Queen, who has a very handy draw from stall four this time, is a good bet to beat the favourite. She is also much more less exposed in this sphere and therefore would appear to have greater scope for progress.

To sum up, Steel Queen appears to be well weighted at just a pound higher that last week's return to synthetics, and looks to have a great chance if she can get ahead of next-best bet, Je Tai Porte.