TETRA DESTINY WORTH FOLLOWING IN THE OPENING ROUND OF THE PEGASUS CUP

Barry Drake

The opening round of the €7,500 to the winner 2026 Pegasus Cup gets underway at Curraheen Park tonight, and it's expected to produce plenty of top-class racing over the next couple of weeks.

The nap selection comes in heat three, where Tetra Destiny, for the Benalmadena Syndicate, rates nap material. The pacey performer has winning Cork form as she clocked a smart 28.60 winning performance at the back end of last year. Keeping good company in recent times, the selection has a couple of useful lines of form in the book. The drop down into A2 company is a huge plus, and from the rails pitch, she should take the world of beating in this line-up.

Clonavanny Blue, trained by Tony Winters for Simon Buckley, should also run well. The improving September puppy has run well in recent weeks, and the early paced performer is capable of another big performance in this.

In the opening heat, Cuile Line Best should go well from the inside of the track for trainer Eamonn Morton. The selection often displays huge early speed, and he has plenty of nice form from the inside of the track. Back down in grade and with the rails to help, the selection is capable of bouncing out in front and making every yard of the running. Jade One, for David Harrington, has plenty of all-around speed, and she's the next best in this. No stranger to big performances around here, she's the obvious danger to the selection.

In the second heat, the Pat Kiely-trained Da Tapper Flynn stands out. Such a pacey and powerful running tracker, the selection has some fantastic form in the book. He enjoys a rare drop into A2 company, and he looks like a big player for outright glory. Trapping is a slight concern; however, if the gaps open at the right time, he will be hard to hold in the closing stages. He comes here in good form, and it will take a big performance to turn him over. Vedfield Tiger, for Julie O'Sullivan and Fiadh Murphy, is next best. He returns to racing action tonight and should improve for the comeback outing; however, if ready for this run, he is capable of delivering a big performance from the inside of the track. He has some smart form in the book, and another big run is on the cards in this here.

In the fourth heat, trainer Paul Hennessy is always worth a second look when making the trip to Cork, and he has strong claims with Jerrivee De Meg. A previous 28.55 winner around course and distance, he is another who enjoys a rare drop into A2 level, and the quick-starting runner could well make all the running. Barnfield Jigger looks like an improving youngster for trainer Kevin McLean, and he's one to watch in this line-up; however, he will need an explosive start to lead. Super Syd, for David Harrington, also has plenty of pace, and he's not without a chance if producing his quickest start.

In other races, Rossa Blenz stands out in race number eight. Trained by Thomas O'Donovan, the April youngster has displayed plenty of promise in two career starts, and the selection looks like a nice type going forward. If putting his best foot forward in this, he should prove a class apart and shed his maiden status on the third attempt.