A SPRINT FOR GLORY AT DUNDALK

Ian Fortune

The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup at Dundalk.

A huge crowd is expected to journey to the Dowdallshill venue for an afternoon of equine action before the main course is served later into the evening.

The dogs will go to traps for the feature at 9.30pm and sparks could fly in the chase for the hugely impressive €20,000 winner’s purse. Sponsors Bar One Racing see Rathdown Molly as the one to beat as she is currently 6-4 to come out on top, although Who Have I is breathing down her next at 13-8.

It’s then 4-1 Carrick Aldo, while you can have double figure odds about each of the three remaining challengers.

AWESOME ALDO WITH A BIG LIFE

Certainly, the winner is most likely to emerge from the big two in the betting but it would be unwise to ignore the hugely progressive Carrick Aldo.

The latter has won six of his last eight career outings but it’s the rate of improvement that has been most impressive.

Just a week ahead of the Irish Sprint Cup, he won an S0 400 in 21.29. He followed that up in the opening round as he stayed on strongly to win in 21.36 but in the subsequent weeks he has gone from strength to strength, culminating in 21.00 and 21.04 successes in the quarter and semi-finals.

He represents the Thomas Glynn/ David Murray combination and they will feel they have unfinished business in the classic after going close in 2020 with the brilliant Brodys Magic. The track record holder for the 400yds, he reached the final in 2020 only to fluff his lines.

Carrick Aldo has very obvious claims but one feels he needs to be at his electric best. Should he make a flying start from trap five, he won’t be far away at the finish.  

SAMUEL NEEDS TO BE SLICK

Liam Dowling previously bred Ballymac Bigmike to win the Irish Sprint Cup but he has yet to win it as an owners/ trainer despite having a couple of finalists in recent years. He is represented by Ballymac Samuel this evening.

The son of Ballymac Vic has yet to win a race over two bends, albeit he has very limited experience over the sprint trip. He has demonstrated that he can perform on the big stage, however, after setting a sizzling gallop in the Race of Champions decider before eventually being run out of the frame.

If he is to cause an upset, he needs to rocket from the inside box which is no easy task. An inside draw could work in his favour were there any traffic at the turn but he may need luck to land a telling blow.

HERO A BIG PRICE

The same can be said for Radical Hero. He has long been a talented tracker with some superb form on his card but a best of 21.31 for the 400yd trip would certainly come up short.

Tommy O’Donovan and Ger Hutton have tasted classic glory together in the recent past but they will be aware that their son of Droopys Sydney needs a career best effort to come home in front.

SKIPPY REMAINS A MAIDEN

The same can certainly be said for Chelms Skippy, although he is certainly not short of pace.

A real eye-catcher on a number of occasions, he is still seeking his first win and his wide running tendencies will likely act against him.

Peter Cronin will hope that he can get the promising son of Pestana to leave the traps with real fluency and perhaps hope for a little bit of scrimmaging on his inner. If that were to happen, it’s conceivable he could play a big part but he is double figure odds for a reason.

MAGIC MOLLY

That leaves us with the big two in the betting. Rathdown Molly is representing Bill Mulholland and the husband and wife team of Marie and Skippy Gilbert.

The Gilberts have a great history in the classic, going close on a number of occasions.

Their ability to turn greyhounds into top class sprinters is remarkable. The likes of Aho Tony, Walshes Hill and Agent Stanley come to mind there have been many more. Certainly, few would begrudge them a first success in the classic and in the form of Rathdown Molly there have a serious player.

She has always ben something of star, although her initial success was over four bends. This is far from her first major final either. She was a finalist in the National Puppy Stake at the end of 2022 in the very early days of her career and returned just two months later to finish a close second in the Gold Cup at Shelbourne Park.

Since that night the plan has clearly been the sprint as she had a few prep runs ahead of the classic, showing real aptitude for the discipline. She has also peaked at the right time, producing her best runs in the quarter and semi-finals.

As a reward or her latest 20.99 semi-final success, the daughter of Droopy Sydney has been handed a favouable draw in three. Blessed with wonderful early speed and the strength to see out the 400yd trip, she certainly has all the attributes needed to come out on top. Now all he needs is a slick exit and the little bit of luck that all classic winners are afforded.

HAVE I READY TO ROCK

Who Have I stands in the way of Rathdown Molly, however.

One of four Droopys Sydneys in the line-up, he is perhaps the most explosive. Lightly raced ahead of the classic with just four starts over the standard trip and one victory over two bends on his card, he quickly took to sprinting.

Clocking 21.10 in the opening round, he just got better and better with each start. Posting 20.94 in the second round and 20.91 a week later in the quarter finals, his best run to date was to come in the semis where he displayed awesome pace in defeat.

After a rare missed start from the inside trap, he absolutely flew to the turn where he encountered traffic problems. For a few strides it seemed he was crashing out of the competition only to show great powers of recovery. Storming home, he ended up finishing less than three lengths behind Carrick Aldo.

Should he return to his fast-starting ways, there is a real possibility he could have too much raw pace for his rivals. Certainly, if you look at his latest display, he seems to be getting better with each outing and it would be no surprise to this scribe if he were to clock 20.80 with a fast start.

WHO HAVE I TO GET LOOSE

It really is a wonderful contest.

The market suggests the winner will come from Rathdown Molly, Who Have I and Carrick Aldo and it’s difficult to disagree. The very nature of the 400yd trip means it could go right down to the wire but so much will depend on the opening strides.

Should they all come away on terms, Who Have I might emerge as the one to beat and for that reason he gets the nod but nothing will come easy. Rathdown Molly is a serious challenger, while Carrick Aldo is obviously a big threat also. The best of luck to all involved.