A NIGHT TO SAVOUR AS FESTIVAL ENDS

Ian Fortune

A total of €97,500 will be dished out in win prizemoney alone at Shelbourne Park this evening as the second night of the Winter Racing Festival provides one of the finest cards ever assembled.

Each and every race will do justice to this occasion with the very best greyhounds in training in action, while we have a couple of the UK’s best thrown in for good measure.

In total there are six €10,000 championship races, five races worth €5,000 to the winner and the final of the IGOBF National Puppy Stake, which is worth a whopping €12,500.

WHAT A RACE

As stated, every one of the twelve races are worthy of the occasion but many will be waiting anxiously for the Championship Open 550.

Just seven days after their clash in the final of the St Leger at Limerick, kennel companions Clonbrien Treaty and Swords Rex meet again in one of the races of the year.

They will be joined by four superstars. The sensational De Lahdedah races from two, the brilliant Another Holiday wears the white jacket of three, while the Champion Stakes winner Trinity Junior lines out in trap four. Add to those dual classic winner Bobsleigh Dream, who was second in the race last year, and it is a race fitting of any classic decider.

Picking a likely winner with any real conviction is a near-impossibility but De Lahdedah comes into the contest fresh, with a kind draw and is ready to remind everyone present why he is amongst the favourites for English and Irish Derby glory in 2024.

Should he trap on terms, Liam Dowling’s star has the early speed to clear Bobsleigh Dream into the turn. Obviously, he has more than just Bobsleigh Dream to worry about early. Another Holiday has fine early dash, Trinity Junior can also go up fast while Swords Rex is noted as one of the best in the business to the corner.

That leaves Clonbrien Treaty, who is also blessed with stunning early speed but can be a little inconsistent at traps. He got the better of Swords Rex into the third turn in their last two meetings but he can’t afford to give De Lahdedah a start.

It really is a wonderful contest and one that you could build a card around but the no can only go to one so De Lahdedah is chosen to lead home the fast-finishing Bobsleigh Dream.

CLUE UK’S BEST HOPE

The UK’s best hope of a winner is Droopy Clue.

The powerful son of Out Of Range hasn’t been seen over six bends since winning the PGR St Leger at Perry Barr in stunning fashion in September. He has displayed well-being since, however. In fact, he twice broke the 491m clock in the early rounds of the Kent Derby at Central Park.

He is a welcome visitor in the Championship 750 and has outstanding claims from a kind draw in two. Those on his flanks aren’t known for their early speed and that could allow Seamus Cahill’s charge turn right on the speed.

Obviously both the Corn Cuchulainn champion Kinturk Road and Irish Derby finalist Threesixfive are greatly respected but one suspects Droopys Clue will thrive around Shelbourne and he is chosen to follow in the footsteps of last year’s UK based winner of the same race, Savana Ruinart.

BONNYLAD FOR MORE GLORY IN NATIONAL PUPPY

The final of the IGOBF National Puppy Stake features a crop of very promising youngsters and the battle for the €12,500 winner’s purse could go right down to the wire.

 It’s widely accepted that Scooby Countess and Whyaye Bonnylad are likely to dominate the betting.

Both come into tonight’s contest on the back of a superb semi-final victory and much will depend on which gets first run. Whyaye Bonylad is probably just that little bit sharper into the turn and that could make the difference. He is selected to lead home Scooby Countess with Dunnanelly Lad seen as the value option.

FLYING FINN TO FOLLOW UP

Liam Dowling will be hoping for a big night. Aside from De Lahdedah, he also has huge chances in the Open 525 and the 850yd contest.

2022 Irish Derby runner-up Ballymac Finn returned to something very close to his brilliant best last weekend, earning himself a place in the Championship 525.

He will be favourite for the contest over the standard trip but needs to be every bit as sharp as he was seven days ago. The presence of the Laurels champion High trend on his immediate inside is not ideal, while the exciting Highview Splash could emerge as the great threat.

The latter hasn’t been very lucky with the draw but he does have massive pace and is greatly respected. Throw in Deadly Jet, Hawkfield Blu and Halo and it’s another unbelievable contest. There is no doubt both Hawkfield Blu and Halo would prefer a draw closer to the fence and when it comes to picking the winner, Ballymac Finn gets the nod ahead of Hawkfield Splash.   

MANDOLIN TO PLAY THE RIGHT TUNE

Just eight days after claiming the Galway Oaks in brilliant fashion, the Robert Gleeson trained Droopys Mandolin can confirm her standing as one of the most exciting females in training by claiming the Bitch 525.

Kevin Hutton sends out his English Oaks runner-up Jet Stream Angel adding some spice to the contest but he will need to be at her very sharpest in a race packed with real quality. Irish Derby runner-up Bockos Crystal has been kept busy in recent weeks but she has obvious claims despite a tricky draw in four.

Ballymac Run, Rathdown Molly and Glengar Martha are also amongst Ireland’s best and must be respected in a race where Droopys Mandolin may well start a shorter price than most expect. If Droopys Mandolin does start on terms, she is likely to go up fast and could well turn in front but any mistakes, however small, could prove costly. She remains the choice ahead of Bockos Crystal but this is a contest with the potential to throw up a slightly strange result.

A SPRINT FOR THE AGES

The Festival Sprint has the potential to turn into one of the races of the night with a world class line-up.

Road Exile lowered the colours of Ballinakill Alf in their latest encounter but the betting is likely to suggest that the latter will reverse that form.

Ballinakill Alf has been in brilliant form for some time and has really taken to two-bend racing. Yes, he has a tendency to give his rivals a bit of a start but his pace into the corner is truly spectacular. Tonight is his toughest test yet, however.

If Irish Sprint Cup winner Carrick Aldo comes away racing from four, he too would have massive claims, while Get It Right is likely to improve for his comeback outing and is another worthy of a mention. Of course, Road Exile is another with huge claims.

To highlight the quality of the field, top sprinters Cree Jo Jo and Pavilion Fire are likely to be available at double figure odds. Picking a winner with any confidence is an impossibility but slight preference is for Ballinakill Alf over Carrick Aldo.

TEDDY SET TO FLY

Blackstone Lacey set new figures for the 600yd trip around Limerick last weekend, leading home Gaytime Hugo and Bens Teddy in the process.

It is a very significant piece of form considering the trio meet again in the Championship 600. They are joined by Millridge Bryce, Optic Chico and 2022 Derby finalist Droopys Nice One.

It is certainly one of the races of the night and one that will take a bit of winning. Obviously, Blackstone Lacey will b a big player if repeating her latest piece of form but she has never been in these traps before and has to clear Millridge Bryce in the opening yards. It’s a big ask.

Instead, Bens Teddy is selected to return to winning ways. The Irish Derby third, he has already shone over the 600yd trip around Shelbourne, has a kind draw on the fence and is undoubtedly amongst the most powerful in training. He is just chosen ahead of Blackstone Lacey, although Gaytime Hugo and Droopys Nice One are greatly respected.         

GLORY TO SOBER UP THE LAYERS

The Championship 575 brings the curtain down and punters are likely to latch onto Sober Glory after his incredible run to finish third in the Leger last weekend.

He will need to be on his toes from a tricky draw in four but he has a massive engine and will absolutely relish the step up in trip.  

Ballymac Marino looks to be returning to his best early season form and is seen as a major threat, although h too needs to hit the ground running from an inside draw. Derby finalist Music Glideaway loves the longer run to the turn and is another with obvious claims, although he needs to get first run which is no easy task with Beepers Lariat likely to go up fast up the middle of the track. The talented, in-form, duo of Jetstream Breeze and Lotto Six One complete the line-up and neither can be ignored although it’s safe to assume they need to be at their very best.

One suspects, Sober Glory is one the punters will latch onto and, with a clear passage, he can send them home happy. Ballymac Marino is nominated as the main danger.  

EASY TO RAZZLE

Laurels runner-up Easy Razzle has the draw in her favour in the Champion Bitch 550 and that could see her return to winning ways.

Droopys Edel is the key to this race. The Puppy Oaks finalist has a tendency to dive for the fence in the early yards.

That could give the brilliant Undisputed a headache in the opening yards, while there is also the potential those further in will get squeezed up. These include Ballymac Vida and Leger finalist Ballinabola Una.

Of course, it also means that the talented Allowdale Coco and the aforementioned Easy Razzle should have room to race on the outside of the track in the early yards. If Easy Razzle were to produce one of her better starts, she would almost certainly dispute the lead into the turn and that could be enough to see her come home in front.

Undisputed is greatly respected but the draw is a major stumbling block, while Ballinabola Una is likely to finish well.

MR CHELM HAS HIS DRAW

2022 English Derby runner-up Mr Chelm has been in terrific form since returning to Peter Cronin and after running a fine race in the Leger decider is likely to be a popular choice in the RCETS Open 550.

From a trap one draw, he need only trap on terms to claim a favourable pitch into the corner.

Clona Curly is a non-runner from trap four after being sold across the water during the week and his place will go to Glengar Elvis but the main threat to Mr Chelm could well come in the form of Ballymac Walt and the powerful finisher Clonroosk Sydney. 

Mr Chelm has the draw, however, and if striking the front before the turn, can emerge a good winner at the expense of Ballymac Walt.

KATIE THE BANKER

Ballymac Katie stands out as the banker of the night in the IRGT 850, although her price is likely to reflect this view.

Her task has been made somewhat easier with the news that Jacktavern Bella has been withdrawn and is to be sent to the breeding paddocks. Her place will go to Flying Honours.

Despite a tricky draw in five, Ballymac Katie will be as short as 1-3 and, should she avoid traffic, is likely to come home alone. Produce Stakes runner-up Hukum has turned into a talented stayer and could potentially set a strong gallop but he will struggle to match Liam Dowling’s star for pure power. While she won’t make anyone rich, Ballymac Katie is one to hang your hat on.

A GREAT START EXPECTED

A special night deserves a special opener and that’s exactly what is on offer with a number of Ireland’s most exciting young trackers on show in the Juvenile 525.

Daleroad Duke immediately caught the eye from a perfect draw on the fence but he needs to be at his very best with the razor-sharp Jacktavern Bolt drawn in two.

Unmatched, Seven Beach and Jetara can’t be dismissed either but in a race where the draw will be of huge importance, Daleroad Duke is just chosen over Jacktavern Bolt.