EXPECT FIREWORKS AS PLATE GETS UNDERWAY
Ian Fortune
The Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate gets underway at Shelbourne Park this evening and the resulting action could rival the Derby itself with so many stars in the line-up following their early exit from the blue riband.
It is no shock to see Ballymac Setanta and Ballymac Deniro topping the market and both are expected to emerge easy winners of their opening round assignments. Ballymac Setanta will be a very short favourite in the second of the eight heats.
Perfectly housed on the fence, it would be something of a surprise if he didn’t emerge a comfortable scorer. The brilliant tracker is chosen to dictate from the early yards to lead home the likes of Ballyhooly Cliff and Slippery Felix.
DENIRO IN A LEADING ROLE
English Derby runner-up and Juvenile Classic winner Ballymac Deniro will be every bit as short in the betting in Heat 7.
A superb Derby opening round scorer, he stumbled at boxes the following week before finding traffic.
Tonight, he will be hoping to start on terms from trap five. If doing so, he should have too much firepower for Gaytime Clyde, Avenue Queen and Cheque For Cash.
SCHEFF CAN SHOW HIS POWER
Liam Dowling also has strong claims in the opening heat with Ballymac Scheff getting a tentative vote to see off the powerful Coolemount Fame.
Both have very similar running styles but Ballymac Scheff may be just a fraction sharper into the bend.
If avoiding early traffic, his impressive pace from the second turn can make the difference. Aulton Cash is perhaps the most likely pace-setter but he could find himself under severe pressure if either Ballymac Scheff or Coolemount Fame get a clear run in behind.
SLICK BY NAME, SLICK BY NATURE
Puppy Derby finalist Slick Sanctuary has been uncharacteristically slow at boxes in his last two outings but can return to his very sharpest to emerge a good winner of Heat 3 for Karol Ramsbottom and Keith Allsop.
The powerfully built son of Droopy Sydney and former Oaks and Derby winner Susie Sapphire can fly up the fence to assert. Shelbourne regular Brayview Lad can chase him home, while Kilcolgan Eddie is another that can make the frame if steering clear of traffic on the outside of the track.
PORTER CAN PREVAIL IN OPEN CONTEST
Heat 4 is a particularly competitive affair with many in the line-up capable of going fast.
However, the nod goes the way of Droopy Porter. A young tracker with a recent 29.35 over the 550yd trip, he has all the attributes to become a top tracker.
He is drawn on the right side of the likes of Roaming Shelby, Music Inthe Air and Mydras Opinion, while he can clear Miami Hans into the bend. The Barry Clancy trained youngster is selected to make all with Roaming Shelby and Miami Hans best equipped to push him.
FRANK READY TO FIRE
Grouchos Frank has been running well enough to suggest he could be hard to beat in Heat 5 for Pat Buckley and Shane O’Connell.
The son of Grouchos Duke is an all-rounder capable of a fast start and with the strength to race over further.
He needs to come away racing from two as Droichead Nua can go up well from the inside box but he remains the choice ahead of Ballymac Altobel, who ran a better race than the bare form suggests last time.
KING TO SHOW HIS POWER
Oriental King produced one of the performances of the opening round of the Derby, running down the talented pairing of Hackney Plan and Ballycowen Frank.
If repeating that level of form, he will be hard to stop in Heat 6.
Fleeting Moment has been confirmed a non-runner in this contest and his place is likely to go to a reserve but the main danger to Oriental King is the Summer Cup winner Newinn Spot. The latter can really fly to the corner and is the most likely pace-setter but Oriental King is chosen to hunt him down before pouncing after the third turn. Ballymac Siun is also capable of making the frame.
SWORDS MUST PRODUCE A STYLISH DISPLAY
Swords Style will be hoping he has put his trapping boots on the right way round in the final heat. Normally a flying starter, he failed to dictate in recent outings but has an ideal opportunity to put that right in the final heat.
Drawn in four, he can quickly set out his stall. Amidus Hulk is also expected to go up fast and is a serious threat, while Ryee is going the right way and won’t need much luck to make the frame.