SCOOBY THE CURRAHEEN BANKER
Barry Drake
Scooby Marquess, trained by Jennifer O'Donnell for owner Steve Noble, rates nap material at Curraheen Park tonight.
The January '24 whelp has some top-class form in the book, and he displayed stunning early speed in the opening round of the Laurels. The nap selection has had his injury issues, but connections must feel they have him spot on for this. The drop back in trip shouldn't be an issue, and in truth, it looks like a great winning opportunity. With a level start, he should prove a class apart, and he's worthy of market support in this.
Knockglass Joe has some decent form around course and distance, and he's not without a chance for the local kennel of Martin Murphy. Ballycowen Luan is another to watch out for. He's a newcomer on debut, but he could have a bright future ahead. A half-brother to Ballycowen Frank, the son of Pestana has some decent trial form in the book, and he's an exciting talent for the Cobh kennel of Dean Harpur.
The €5,000 to the winner Danny Corkery A3-A4 Memorial got off to a flying start last week, and it looks like a very open event.
Aaron O'Hanlon is a trainer making a real name for himself in recent times and he can take heat three, with the standout performer from the opening round which was Glencroft Avatar. Owned by Mark Flood, the January puppy clocked 28.92 in the opening round, and she can improve on that by recording back-to-back winning performances. A previous 16.28 winner around the Clonmel 300, she is a young lady going places quickly. JJ Fennelly enjoyed a double last weekend, and his Burgess Dream, a 28.97 winner, is next best. The best is yet to come from this lightly raced '24 whelp, and another big run is very likely.
In the opening heat, Path To Power is one to watch for Mary Murphy. A 17.81 winner around the Curraheen Park 330-yard trip, the selection has yet to transfer that form to the standard distance. That was an eye-catching performance last week, and with a better break this time around, he should go close. The inside line is another massive plus here, and he's the one to beat in this open-looking contest.
In the following heat, Senior Cruise impressed in the opening round, winning in 29.09. He has plenty of all-round speed, and he should prove hard to beat for Ger Crowley. He will need to produce one of his quickest starts, but in doing so, it will take a big performance to turn him over.
Mumhan Ri, trained by Denis Fitzgerald for the Abbey Bar Syndicate, is drawn to win the fourth heat. He has lovely early speed, and from the magic box, he should bounce out in front and make all the running.
The closing race is a fantastic contest. There is plenty of early speed, and it could well fall into the hands of the Kieran Lynch trained Desert Flower. No stranger to big performances around here, she will be out the back early, but if the gaps open at the right time, she could be on top in the closing stages. It looks like a race that will open up and suit the powerful performer. The Other Wild, for Jennifer O'Donnell, will most likely set the early fractions, and he should be in the mix throughout.