A GREAT START TO IRISH SPRINT CUP EXPECTED

Ian Fortune

The entire twelve-race card at Dundalk this evening consists of opening round heats of the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup.

Defending champion Carrick Aldo takes his chance in Heat 11, the penultimate one of the round. The brilliant son of Droopy Sydney hasn’t raced at Dundalk since last year’s decider but recent trials hint that he is as good as ever.

Droopys Metaphor could emerge as a danger but one suspects Carrick Aldo should have too much for his rivals and he is chosen to continue his love affair with Dundalk. Expect the David Murray trained star to dominate from the early yards.

SIZZLING SYD TO SHOW HIS CLASS

The undoubted contest of the round comes in Heat 2 where ante-post favourite Broadstrand Syd faces a tough test with leading sprinters Ballinakill Alf and Road Exile to contend with.

All three are capable of going deep in the classic but the latest 20.84 trial from Broadstrand Syd reads extremely well and should he start on terms, he could quickly emerge as the one to beat. Ballinakill Alf is a huge danger and is greatly respected also.

KOBE FOR THE SLAM DUNK

Derby champion The Other Kobe has his first sprint start in Heat 10.

He may be into his fifth year but his performances in the early rounds of the English Derby suggest he is as sharp as ever. His task is made a little bit more difficult by the presence of 2023 Produce Stakes champion Burgess Supreme and the very speedy Phoenix Tyson but The Other Kobe should be too good for his rivals and is a confident choice to come home clear.

JUNIOR TO GET JUMP ON RIVALS

Trinity Junior is not known as a sprinter but the 2023 Champion Stakes winner certainly has the pace and class to go well in the competition.

He begins his challenge in Heat 8 where the very exciting, but lightly raced, Crokers Sydney is the very obvious danger.

Trinity Junior returned to his very best in his latest outing, posting a rapid 28.13 around Shelbourne Park and a repeat of that sort of form would be enough to secure him victory.

HOFFA TO STRUT HIS STUFF

Stonepark Hoffa has really impressed in his previous outings, going very fast at Tralee and Cork.

He has just his third start in the final heat but can quickly show that he is a leading contender for outright glory. A younger full brother to Coolavanny Hoffa, he posted 21.05 in a prep around Dundalk and is ready to explode. He can get the better of Meenagh Monito and Abbeyside Spice.

BRAVE AND KURSK CAN LOCK HORNS

Heat 10 is one of the more interesting of the round with a few potential stars in the line-up.

Coolavanny Brave is lightly raced but posted a very quick 21.07 in just his second start last time out. That sort of form could be good enough to see him come out on top but he can’t afford any mistakes.

Elite Kursk is one of the most interesting runners in the entire stake. A son of Elite Black, who was renowned for stunning early speed, Elite Kursk posted a breathtaking 18.48 in his latest trial around Enniscorthy. That is a couple of spots faster than the track record. With that sort of ability, he too must enter calculations.

THE LAD CAN RUN

Ballymac Thelad has a bright future and he is one of the leading fancies in Heat 3.

While he is perhaps going to be better suited by four bends, a recent 17.30 trial around Tralee suggests he could also make a fine sprinter. He just gets the nod ahead of Zippy Canning and Dusty Prince.

MAGIC MOLLY

Rathdown Molly returns to two bends in Heat 4.

She impressed in the prelims last year, dipping under 21 seconds on more than one occasion. She can emerge as the one to beat, although former Derby runner-up Ballymac Finn is also respected. The lightly raced Blacknose Celt is also worth noting. He posted 21.23 on debut and could go faster to get involved.

A DYNAMIC PERFORMER

Dynamic Force boasts a record of three wins from four starts including a 21.15 return in his latest start at Dundalk.

That level of performance should see him go close in Heat 5 where Neon Nite and Old Chicago can emerge as the main dangers.

TAYLOR COULD GO FAST

It has been over a decade since Graham Holland won the Irish Sprint Cup with Cambushmore in 2012 but he has a couple of lively contenders this year including Romeo Taylor.

The talented son of Newinn Taylor looks made for the Dundalk test and he has a kind draw on the fence in Heat 6.

If starting on terms, he can quickly stamp his class on proceedings, potentially at the expense of his kennel companion Faypoint Sydney.

BALLYMUN TO RUN

Dolores Ruth famously won the classic in 2013 with the brilliant Razldazl Rioga.

She sends out the very talented Ballymun Boy in Heat 7. He was out of luck in his latest outing at Dundalk but should come on for the experience. With a better start this evening, he can assert in the early yards to see off the likes of Pavilion Fire.

GET ON THE NOSE

The opening heat is a competitive affair.

There is no standout performer but many of the field have moved well around Dundalk in the past including, On The Banks, Fleadh Rileigh and Nene Valley but slight preference is for On The Nose.

A good winner at Shelbourne Park in his latest outing, he displayed the sort of early speed that could see him develop into a nice sprinter. He gets the nod over recent impressive Lifford scorer Gortin Sid.