TWLEVE TO BECOME SIX IN EASTER CUP
Ian Fortune
A place in the final of the Shelbourne Park Bookmakers Easter Cup is on the line this evening when twelve of Ireland’s best go toe to toe in the semi-finals of the classic.
There was certainly drama in the quarter finals and more of the same seems likely this evening.
TANK TO FIRE
The opening heat is a fascinating contest with Lennies Tank set to start favourite, although many eyes will be on Droopys Kathleen as she bids to atone for last weekend’s defeat.
Add in classic winners Callaway Knegare and Ballyhooly Bruno and the talented duo of Coosane Pickles and Lemon Hidalgo and it really is a mouthwatering contest.
However, the layers believe that Lennies Tank is the one to beat. Paw-perfect last weekend, making every inch after a fast start to win in a standard setting 29.37, he will again look to burn off his rivals in the opening exchanges.
Drawn in five this evening, it’s important he gets a length on Lemon Hidalgo in the opening yards which would allow him to steer his traditional wide path without the potential for taking a bump. That could make all the difference.
Certainly, if he does turn in front, it would need something extraordinary from his rivals to deny him another impressive success. Droopys Kathleen is extraordinary, however. She may have been lightly raced in 2025 after capturing the imagination of the greyhound racing world in late 2024 but the 525yd track record holder highlighted the fact that she retains most of her ability with a massive opening round effort.
She was surprisingly picked up last week by Lemon Orla and Lennies Tank, finishing just a short head and a head away in third, but many will feel she can bounce back. If clearing Callaway Knegare in the early yards, she could quickly put herself in a position to strike.
Obviously, after a year of persistent little problems, you must take it on trust that she is back to form but few would be surprised to see her produce something special. Of the others, Ballyhooly Bruno and Callaway Knegare will both motor from halfway.
Coosane Pickles is also a big finisher but needs to be at her very sharpest in the early yards to turn withing striking distance, while Lemon Hidalgo has a very tough draw on the outside of Lennies Tank. He will need to explode from traps to get the better of the favourite into the bend.
It really is a wonderful contest and one that would be fitting of the final itself. Any of those connected to the six would happily take a third-place finish right now. In search of the winner, we will stick with Lennies Tank. He has the early speed to get loose into the bend and that could make the difference. Droopys Kathleen and Callaway Knegare are chosen to chase him home.
SHOW FAITH IN DROOPYS
The second semi-final is every bit as fascinating. Droopy Faithful is favourite despite failing to hold onto a good lead last weekend.
She has looked in need of her recent runs and were she to strip fitter this evening she could well justify her lofty position in the market.
That said, she needs to do everything right tonight or the likes of Callaway Five, Lemon Orla, Lennies Madge and Miami Hans will be ready to pounce. In a contest where early speed isn’t overly abundant, Droopys Faithful, Callaway Five and Miami Hans seem likely to go up fastest.
So much will then depend on the opening bend. Droopys Faithful has the draw and the pace to go around in front but she needs to stay on better than the past two weekends. Callaway Five and Miami Hans can push her but most will also be glancing back to see how close Lemon Orla and Lennies Madge are. Boylesports Blue must also get a mention. He tends to get lost into the bend but from an inside draw, could potentially turn closer than normal and he too is a big finisher.
Droopys Faithful is chosen to come home in front but none of her rivals are taken lightly. Callaway Five is perhaps best equipped to push her closest but Lemon Orla is in the form of her career and is also seen as a serious player.