BRESBET EASTER CUP GETS UNDERWAY AT SHELBOURNE
Ian Fortune
All roads lead to Shelbourne Park this evening as the latest renewal of the oldest classic on the calendar, the Bresbet Easter Cup gets underway.
A special competition, it has provided a stage of for some of the finest greyhounds to ever grace the track in its near 100-year history.
Twelve months ago, Clonbrien Treaty raced to a memorable success to claim his third classic success. He would go on to add a fourth when landing his second St Leger at Limerick and returns tonight in attempt to defend his Easter Cup crown.
TREATY TO BEGIN DEFENCE WITH A WIN
The brilliant son of Pestana is back after an enforced layoff through injury but recent trials suggest he is ready to do himself justice.
He lines out in the stripes in the second heat and faces a tough test with Hopes Teddy, Jaytee Craze, Hazelhill Bucko and Faypoint Harvey in opposition.
Hopes Teddy can really fly to the turn and comes into tonight’s contest on the back of two superb displays at Shelbourne. If Clonbrien Treaty is to better that rival before halfway, he will need to come away racing.
Should he fail to dictate, Clonbrien Treaty could find himself under pressure from the third turn after a long layoff but the fact that there are four to qualify will come as a comfort blanket to the Graham Holland trained star.
Jaytee Craze and Azurite are both very strong and will finish with purpose, while Faypoint Harvey and Hazelhill Bucko are both proven in top company and must also enter calculations. Clonbrien Treaty is given the nod but this really could go to any of the remaining runners.
A WONDERFUL OPENING HEAT
De Lahdedah was the ante-post favourite ahead of last year’s Easter Cup only to crash out at the second-round stage after finding plenty of traffic.
The brilliant son of Irish Derby winner Lenson Bocko would go on to claim English Derby glory at Towcester and is back on the hunt for big race success in the opening heat.
The same can be said for Juvenile Derby champion Callaway Knegare. In what was his first start since finishing third in the Derby, he looked a little rusty last weekend but is certain to come on for that run and is a big player.
Throw in Tarsna Maasai, Swords Don and Randolph Scotts and it is clearly the hottest contest of the round, although the withdrawal of Coosane Pickles with a ‘little niggle’ has aided the chances of the remaining runners.
Swords Don and Tarsna Maasai the most likely pace-setters but, one suspects Callaway Kengare and De Lahdedah will find a way to mount a serious challenge. Slight preference is for Callaway Knegare with his latest comeback defeat set to stand to him.
BOB TOO POWERFUL
English Derby runner-up and Irish Derby finalist Boylesports Bob can prove too strong for his rival in Heat 3.
A brilliant winner last weekend when storming home to pick up Coosane Pickles, he can turn close enough to the pace to make his superior strength count.
Carmac King can offer the most resistance, although it would be no surprise if either of the speedy Cheque For Cash or Mustang Fever were to play a part. Unanimouspanther hasn’t won a race since capturing the Jenningsbet Select Stakes at Nottingham last August but it would be brash to completely ignore his chance.
BLUE LOOKS THE PART
Hawkfield Blue will be very difficult to stop in Heat 4.
The son of Good News has been in tremendous form of late, running-up the Tote Gold Cup when last seen last month and he has been handed an ideal draw on the fence.
The Ginger McGee trained star looks a likely pace-setter along the fence and would be very difficult to stop if turning in front. Recent Cesarewitch third Superfast Gorden is proven around Shelbourne Park and is perhaps the most obvious threat but he needs to be doing things right at traps.
Of the remainder, Kilcolgan Whitney will be finishing fastest although she is far from a prolific scorer. Valinor will likely to go up strongly on the outside but need to dictate, while Aayamza Wizard and Esmonde Swift move well throughout but may need to be at their very best. Hawkfield Blue is chosen to dominate.
OLLIE A TENTATIVE VOTE
The penultimate heat is a real conundrum.
Yorkie Ollie made an incredible start to his career but hasn’t been the most consistent in the subsequent months. The penny does seem to be dropping, however, and a recent 29.32 trial for the 550yd trip suggests he is ready to go.
If starting on terms, he could emerge as the one to beat. Ventry Faith is also very capable, although can also be costly to follow. If he were to find one of his better starts, he too could have a big say. Maireads Prince is the best of the remainder. A superb winner last week, he will be ready to pounce should his slightly sharper rivals make any mistakes.
Yorkie Ollie just gets the nod but punters are warned to proceed with caution as this is far from an easy task for the son of Magical Bale.
DOLLAR TO STRIKE
Da Bold Falcon and Untold Dollar are the standout names in the final heat but Cushie The Best looks the most likely pace-setter.
The latter has tremendous early speed and should relish the slightly longer run to the turn, although he would be vulnerable if either Untold Dollar or Da Bold Falcon were to turn close.
One suspects the pair will get a run behind Cushie The Best and they can come through to finish first and second. Untold Dollar may need the run but he can probably get first run on Da Bold Falcon and that could make the difference.