BRILLIANT CARD ON OFFER AT SHELBOURNE
Ian Fortune
Tonight’s card at Shelbourne Park is packed with quality.
It features both the semi-finals of the Suncroft Festival Puppy Oaks and opening round of the Shelbourne Open 600 and it seems safe to assume there will be some huge displays.
CROIA TO LEAD HOME NOELLE
There is a very talented crop on show in the Suncroft Festival Puppy Oaks with the layers installingJuvenile Classic runner-up Silent Noelle as their clear favourite at the head of the market after an impressive opening round success.
She faces a tough test in this evening’s opening heat with Droopys Croia and Ballymac Gwennie amongst her rivals. Silent Noelle has an ideal draw on the fence but the race is set up for Droopys Croia with those around her unlikely to worry her in the opening yards.
If Droopys Croia were to hit the ground running, she has the early speed to shoot to the front long before the corner. Silent Noelle would need to be at her very best to deny her in those circumstances. Ballymac Gwennie will certainly finish at speed and is expected to make the frame at the expense of Lennies Ash, Ballymac Jetaway and Kishlawn Kudos but quick track conditions should really play to the strengths of the speedier Droopy Croia and Silent Noelle and the duo are expected to lead home the field. Droopys Croia is a confident choice.
CAN LIX CONTAIN BUCKLEY TRIO?
Ballymac Lix certainly looked to be going faster than 28.65 in the opening round.
Flashing from traps she made all to comfortably see off her rivals and her reward is an ideal draw on the fence in the second semi-final.
She is again the most likely pace-setter but faces the might of the Pat Buckley kennel with three of his team all holding strong claims. Glengar Echo went fastest in the opening round, while Singalong Cherry also impressed. Both have obvious claims. Glengar Blitz is also very quick and worthy of respect.
Sparta Calli and Susies Shadow complete the line-up but may ned to be at their best to worry the market leaders.
Ballymac Lix has the best of the draw and that could make the difference. She can strike the front early and hold her advantage to the third turn. While some of her rivals may be a touch stronger from the third turn, the line can come in time for Ballymac Lix to contain Glengar Echo and Singalong Cherry.
BRUNO TO MAKE WINNING START TO HIS 600 DEFENCE
The Shelbourne Open 600 gets underway later on the card and Ballyhooly Bruno can make a winning start to his title defence.
Indeed, each of the three semi-finals can go the way of classic winners with Callaway Knegare and Lemon Orla also selected to come home in front.
Ballyhooly Bruno is drawn on the fence in the opening heat and will be difficult to stop if starting on terms. Both Ballymac Chantry and Coosane Pickles are very fast and will finish at speed but Ballyhooly Bruno has more early dash than his two market rivals.
That could make the difference. Actindamaggot, Blue Belle and Jacktavern Turbo complete a talented field but each will need to be at their very best to add to their tally. Instead, Ballyhooly Bruno is selected to lead before the turn and make every yard thereafter. Coosane Pickles and Ballymac Chantry can chase him home.
KNEGARE TO MAKE WINNING RETURN TO 600YDS
Ante-post favourite Callaway Knegare returns to 600yds in the second heat.
The 2024 Juvenile Derby champion was recently a good third in the Easter Cup and is set to return to winning ways this evening.
Lemon Hidalgo was also an Easter Cup finalist and is an interesting recruit to the extended trip. He seems certain to appreciate the longer run to the turn and can race prominently from the outset but Callaway Knegare is a real powerhouse, proven over the 600yd trip, and may have too much ammunition for his rivals. Gallant Captain is improving all the time and is worthy of respect but Callaway Knegare and Lemon Hidalgo can prove too good.
ORLA SET TO POUNCE LATE
Recent Easter Cup champion Lemon Orla is amongst the many talented runners in the final heat.
There is little doubt she has the strength and stamina to star over 600yds but faces a tough test with Droichead Nua and Grouchos Gregor likely to go up strongly on her flanks.
Throw in the powerful Durrow Star and Mydras Opinion and it is quite a contest. So much will depend on the early exchanges. Droichead Nua is the most likely pace-setter but he can leave room on the fence for Lemon Orla to turn close.
Durrow Star and Mydras Opinion will look to turn close on the outside of the track but Lemon Orla is in tremendous form and chosen to collar Droichead Nua in the closing yards.