QUALITY ON SHOW IN DUBLIN
Ian Fortune
Tonight’s card at Shelbourne Park has only nine races but there is some real quality on show.
There are two sweepstake deciders but most will be looking forward to the last two races which feature a number of potential Easter Cup challengers.
PAINTING AND HYLAND TO DO BATTLE
The final of the Tote Betting A1 is the fifth race on the card and Droopys Painting is forgiven for his semi-final defeat and selected to come home in front.
He debuted in a stunning 28.13 at Shelbourne Park last June but has subsequently had an interrupted career. He would have gained confidence from last weekend’s second place finish and is set to step forward.
He is just chosen ahead of fastest semi-final winner Miami Hyland, who remains unbeaten after three outings. The Garry Dempsey trained Miami Hyland flew around in 28.52 last week and a repeat of that form would certainly see him emerge a serious player. Town Kitten has the best of the draw and is perhaps the most likely to worry the big two.
PRINCE TO RULE
The final of the grireland.ie A0/A1 525 is the seventh race and Gallant Prince just gets the nod ahead of the ideally housed Boylesports Blue.
This is not an easy race to predict but were Gallant Prince start as smartly as last week he would quickly emerge as the one to beat.
Boylesports Blue could find the race falling at his feet. A real powerhouse, he will look to hold his rails pitch into the back straight before powering home. Badminton Shiv is also respected. She is razor-sharp in the early yards and is a possible pace-setter.
PHANTOM JUST CHOSEN IN OPEN AFFAIR
The penultimate race is and open 525 and any of the six could come out on top.
Much will depend on the early exchanges but slight preference is for Fahee Phantom, who displayed plenty of pace in a recent sprint defeat. Crossfield Roman actually won the sprint in question but Fahee Phantom was stronger at the line and can reverse the form. Priceless Romeo makes his return to action in this contest and must b respected if you take his wonderful end of season form into consideration. The talented trio of Miami Hans, Microchip and Mydras Opinion complete a good field. None of these mentioned can be dismissed in what really looks a wide-open affair.
EASTER CUP CLUES ON OFFER
Racing ends with an absolutely wonderful contest.
Bombay Pat, one of Ireland’s best and most established performers, returns to action and will undoubtedly attract support as he has a prep ahead of the Easter Cup but he faces a few notable rivals including the hugely talented Lennies Tank.
The latter is having his first start over 550yds and is also being readied for a crack at the Easter Cup. He was brilliant last week over the standard trip and is set to relish the longer run to the turn. He could well end up favourite and is a serious contender.
Former Juvenile Derby winner and Derby third Callaway Knegare also returns to action in this contest. He moved well in his latest trial and is respected although he will need to be at his sharpest in the early yards.De Bono Lad, Droichead Nua and Manalishi Jet complete a top-class line-up.