STAGE SET FOR THIRLLING EASTER CUP DECIDER

    STAGE SET FOR THIRLLING EASTER CUP DECIDER

    Ian Fortune

    Clonbrien Treaty was a brilliant winner of the Bresbet Easter Cup a year ago but following his elimination and subsequent retirement to stud, there will be a new name added to the famous old trophy at Shelbourne Park this evening.

    Much like Clonbrien Treaty and so many winners in recent years, an early advantage could be the difference between victory and defeat. Hopes Teddy will be looking to emulate so many of those famous names by dominating from start to finish.

    He has the draw in his favour and is likely to head the market for the €25,000 to the winner showpiece. The exceptional son of Confident Rankin was picked up in the semi-finals by the flying Da Bold Falcon but actually managed to enhance his reputation, showing real grit and bravery to repel his other rivals to take second.

    With his stunning early speed, Hopes Teddy is seen as the most likely front-runner, and his supporters will be hoping he can slip clear of the field to deliver a third Easter Cup victory for trainer Pat Buckley, who previously triumphed with Droopys Noel and Knocknaboul Syd.

    GINGER DOUBLE HANDED

    Ginger McGee has also won an Easter Cup title in the past with Lacken Prince some thirty years ago in 1995.

    He is double handed in tonight’s classic decider with the aforementioned Da Bold Falcon his team captain, although Hawkfield Blue will also attract some support despite a tough draw.

    Da Bold Falcon has long been one of the fastest and most popular trackers in training. Blessed with the most incredible pace from the second turn, he will attempt to find the gaps before launching a late and decisive challenge.

    History is against him, however. Since the Easter Cup switched to 550yds in 2008, no greyhound has come from further back than third entering the back straight to win. Indeed, Tyrur Kenny did so in that first renewal over the Derby trip but each and every one of subsequent winners have turned in front or a close second.

    Da Bold Falcon, as fast as he is, is not blessed with big early speed and could find himself off the pace into the turn. He would need a significant gap to open on the turn to find himself close enough to the pace off the second turn.

    Hawkfield Blue can go up far faster than his kennelmate but the draw is against him. The Tote Gold Cup runner-up is drawn in five and needs to blow the lids down to turn close enough to the pace. He is a real all-rounder but will certainly need a little luck in running.

    HENNO SEEKING WIN NUMBER EIGHT

    Paul Hennessy is represented by Barefoot On Song.

    She will start the rank outsider but the man at the end of the lead certainly knows how to win an Easter Cup with seven previous successes in the classic going all the way back to Mr Pickwick in 1998.

    His latest victory in the classic came in 2016 with subsequent English Derby champion Jaytee Jet emerging on top. Barefoot On Song is a very different proposition. The recent Limerick Oaks champ will be available at 16-1 or bigger and needs to produce a career best effort to land a telling blow.  

    SCOTTS AMONGST IRELAND’S BEST

    That leaves us with two hugely talented greyhounds with similar profiles.

    Randolph Scotts posted a fastest of the year 29.29 in his semi-final victory and has rapidly developed into one of the best greyhounds in training.

    The Peter Cronin trained son of Brett Lee has clearly had his issues in the past but seems sound in body these days. He has fine pace into the turn and really flies down the back straight. The presence of Hopes Teddy on his inner is an issue but were he to challenge for the lead into the turn which seems likely, he would emerge a major player and won’t be shy of support.

    MAASAI REPRESENTS REAL VALUE

    Tarsna Maasai is bidding to deliver Geoff Parnaby one of his greatest nights in the sport.

    Over the past six months, the hugely talented son of Droopy Sydney has been one of the best and most consistent trackers in the land.

    A good starter with fine early speed, the back straight pace to match most and enough stamina to get the 550yds, he is greatly respected from the wide draw. He will need to be at his very sharpest but is seen as the real value option.

    A WONDERFUL CONCLUSION

    It’s a wonderful final and will make for fascinating viewing.

    Hopes Teddy remains the choice, however. Few can match him for early speed and he is chosen to turn in front before going on to make every inch. For obvious reasons, his many followers will be glancing behind to see how close Da Bold Falcon turns, while Randolph Scotts and Tarsna Maasai can offer the most resistance to Hopes Teddy in the opening exchanges. The best of luck to all. 

    PLUNKETT DEVLIN REMEMBERED WITH A TOP CLASS 750

    The feature of the Shelbourne Park undercard is the Friends of Plunkett Devlin Open 750.

    Some exciting stayers will be on show with slight preference for Callaway Hybrid after his recent success in the Deise Plastering Novice 730 at Waterford. Pennys Cailin looks a serious threat from the inside but Callaway Hybrid should relish a return to Shelbourne Park.

    Elsewhere on the card, Cheque For Cash can make the most of a slight drop in grade and is nominated as the nap in the fifth race.