ITS CUP TIME IN DUBLIN AS 2026 RACING YEAR BEGINS
Ian Fortune
The Shelbourne Park year gets underway this evening with a ten-race card, made up mostly by the opening round heats of the Dublin Cup.
There are is a total of eight heats of the valuable early season feature and the racing is certainly competitive.
Given the nature of the event, it is perhaps no surprise to see many returning after a layoff to take their place in the opening round with their A2 status intact. One suspects, a number of those in action will be moving up the grades after their involvement in the competition with many set to go far faster than the A2 grading mark.
LOUISE GOING THE RIGHT WAY
The opening heat really does set the tone with a few of those on show expected to go onto bigger and better things in the future.
These include the selection Highview Louise. She posted a very useful 28.91 in defeat in her second career outing last time, leaving the impression she could and would go considerably faster in the near future.
Dolores Merriman’s daughter of Jaytee Taylor is chosen to lead home the early paced Duffin Dermy and Sunshine Pearl.
Alans Puddins boasts some promising Enniscorthy form and is selected to make the most of an ideal draw in Heat 2 where Nina Miracle can emerge as the main threat.
After showing promise over 400yds around Dundalk, the Paul Matthews trained Firstpastthepost is the most intriguing runner in Heat 3. IN what is his first start over four bends, he is chosen to step forward and land the spoils. Old Princess recently won well around Shelbourne and is nominated as a serious threat.
Heat 4 is wide open. It’s difficult to pick one above the others but given her profile, Beaming Olivia seems certain to improve on her form to date. That would put her right in the mix. Roscomroe Rocky would also have a big say if repeating his best form.
CASH LOOKS PROMISING
Paulstown Cash is one of the more likely types in the entry.
Unbeaten after two starts around Kilkenny, he recently posted a useful 18.95 on a slow track for the 350yd trip at Shelbourne. That trial reads well and he gets the nod to come home in front of the strong running Bounceback Luna in Heat 5. Kanturk Clon would also emerge as a big player if returning to his best early season form.
It’s fascinating to see Graham Holland with a runner in the form of Silverhill Bucko. A lightly raced son of Dromana Bucko, h seems certain to improve greatly on his previous form and is the most likely winner of Heat 6 from an ideal draw on the fence.
Many of his rivals boast some useful form but Silverhill Bucko has plenty in his favour and he can emerge on top for the champion trainer.
The penultimate heat of the round is another wide-open affair. Most of those on view seem certain to improve on their most recent form and much will come down to the start. The lightly raced GrantstownTas has shown ability in both outings to date and seems likely to open his account soon. Perhaps tonight is the time.
Others including Side Deal, Highview Dynasty and Marlfield Eric are fast enough to get involved if coming away on terms.
The final heat is no less competitive. Notawordsaid is an interesting runner for Ollie Bray. Much of his racing to date has some around Mullingar but he recently moved well in a solo at Shelbourne and looks set to have a big say.
The massive Dots Choice is a concern for the selection, however. A natural starter, he has a rails draw to aid his claims, while Atouchofmagic would be a serious contender is returning to his best summer form.