PLENTY TO ENJOY INCLUDING CUP SEMIS IN DUBLIN
Ian Fortune
Things are starting to gear up in Dublin with tonight’s card hinting at what is just around the corner.
The feature of this evening’s action is the semi-finals of the valuable Dublin Cup but there are also some bright prospects on show in the final of the Callaway Pro Am @ Stud ON1 350, while the semi-finals of the Tote Gold Cup Starts Soon mini open 525 and the Two Steps To Victory A1 525/550 will also provide some superb racing.
SKY TO FLY
The Dublin Cup may be an A2 competition but so many of those remaining in the competition are set to move up to mini open or AA0 straight after.
Both heats are very competitive with the early exchanges of real significance.
Brickhill Sky and Kanturk Clon went very fast in the second round and the pair clash in the opening heat. Throw in the early paced Silverhill Bucko and the strong running Gallant Star and there is no room for error.
The presence of Silverhill Bucko on the fence is a complication for Brickhill Sky. The latter flew from traps to make all in 28.45 last week but will need to be every bit as sharp in the opening yards to clear her rivals. If doing so, she could emerge as the one to beat.
Kanturk Clon is a worthy adversary, however. He displayed fine pace into the turn to dominate last week, posting a rapid 28.53. Expect John Byrne’s son of Good News to race prominently again. Gallant Star will need to find a way to turn a little closer, while Silverhill Bucko is struggling to see out the trip.
Brickhill Sky may be facing a tricky draw but she is clearly starting to find her feet around Shelbourne Park and is chosen to make all for Marie Gilbert and owner Jason Whyte. Kanturk Clon can push her throughout.
LUNA READY TO GO INTO ORBIT
If anything, the second heat is even more competitive with each of the six holding claims.
Mutts Maximus, Firstpastthepost, Telex Hoffa and Hazelhill Marty will all bid t turn in front but the inside pair of Bounceback Luna and Highview Dynasty make most appeal.
Both are very fast from the second turn and ,with a clear passage, could prove hard to contain. Highview Dynasty is improving at a rate of knots. After staying on well to win in 28.73 in the opening round, Dolores Merriman’s daughter of Ballymac Cashout went even faster last week, flying from halfway to win in 28.44. She is clearly very quick but will need to the gaps to open at the right time.
The prospect of Bounceback Luna getting first run on Highview Dynasty is a real one, however. She flew in the opening round, making all to win in a fastest of the competition 28.37. She carried little luck last week, finding plenty of traffic before flashing home to take second. She has a massive engine and is chosen as the one to beat for Anthony Kehoe.
Expect her to slip around behind a couple of the pace-setters before making her move from halfway. She is chosen to see off the fast-finishing Highview Dynasty.
KATIE AND DANCER TO BATTLE IT OUT IN CALLAWAY DECIDER
There are some promising youngsters on show in the final of the Calaway Pro Am @ Stud ON1 350, including fastest semi-final winner Callaway Katie, who is representing sponsor Denis Murphy.
A well bred daughter of Ballymac Finn and Ballymac Arminta, she displayed fine pace into the turn to emerge a good winner in 18.76 on debut.
Just behind her was Carlow Rd Dancer. The latter displayed fine pace in defeat and is again a serious threat to Callaway Katie. Of the remainder, Ballyroe Jet was closest to them on the clock when coming home in front in 19.08.
Callaway Katie is again chosen to come home in front but it’s a marginal decision over Carlow Rd Dancer who has very obvious claims.
BOCKOS SET TO TAKE GOLD
Graham Holland will be hopeful of a double in the semi-finals of the Tote Gold Cup Starts Soon A0 525.
Bockos Gold has shown glimpses of real ability in his short career to date and is chosen to double his tally in the opening semi-final at the expense of the talented Maireads Prince and in-form Actindamaggot.
MISSILE CAN FIRE
The second heat is an intriguing affair but slight preference is for the Graham Holland trained Metallic Missile.
He was narrowly denied in his latest outing when collared late but displayed plenty of early speed. He is the most likely pace-setter again and can lead home Gallant Captain and Torpedo Turtle.