HUGE CROWD AT SHELBOURNE TO SEE DYNASTY CLAIM CUP SUCCESS
Ian Fortune
A huge crowd poured through the stiles at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night and the resulting atmosphere was enough to lift the spirits.
The action also played a huge part in making this one of the great January nights in recent years. Indeed, the postponement of Leopardstown’s opening day of the Dublin Racing Festival and the subsequent free entry offer to Shelbourne greatly added to the attendance and those present witnessed a power-packed display from Highview Dynasty as she emerged a tremendous winner of the feature, the final of the Dublin Cup.
HIGHVIEW TOO STRONG IN CUP FINAL
Silverhill Bucko was installed a hot favourite with the layers after sustained support, eventually being sent off a 4-6 chance and things certainly seemed to be going to plan as he flew up the fence to assert into the bend.
Behind the pace-setter, Mutts Maximus and Brickhill Sky outpaced Highview Dynasty to move second and third but the pair bumped on the turn, leaving a narrow gap on the fence.
This gap made all the difference. Highview Dynasty never lost an ounce of momentum and quickly made her move.
Getting up the inside of Mutts Maximus on the second turn, she quickly moved into second before setting her sights on the leader. By halfway, it was inevitable that the powerful Highview Dynasty was going to challenge Silverhill Bucko.
Dolores Merriman’s daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Highview Mission closed slightly down the back straight, but it was as they started to take the last two bends when the gap really closed.
Staying close to the fence, Highview Dynasty forced her way upsides Silverhill Bucko on the final turn to assume control. Once doing so, she powered clear to emerge a comfortable three and a half length scorer in 28.52. Silverhill Bucko was second with Foulkscourt Cody running on to take third the same distance back.
Alan Redmond presents the trophy to Gerry Merriman after Highview Dynasty won the 2026 Dublin CupA2/A3 525 Final. Also included are Liam and Keaden O'Connor, Jimmy O'Hanlon, Liam Lundy and Conor Matthews Racing Manager. Pic: Imelda Grauer
DIAMOND SHARPEST IN DUAL DISTANCE DECIDER
Maireads Diamond had to wait over six months for a second career win after a stunning debut last June, but his third win came just fourteen days after his second as he emerged a good winner of the Two Steps To Victory Dual Distance decider.
He was pushed right to the wire by Cushie Flytplan but dug deep to repel his rival. Trained by Fraser Black for Joe Horan, Maireads Diamond (Droopys Sydney/ Clona Skye) was tardy at boxes but displayed the best early speed to lead on the turn.
Cushie Flytplan was always in his slipstream, but Maireads Diamond ran right to the line to hold on for a half-length verdict in 29.90.
MAGGOT FLIES
Actindamaggot was doing anything but in the final of the Tote Gold Cup Starts Soon Mini Open 525.
Metalic Missile was the hot favourite but mistimed the start and never got involved.
In contrast, Actindamaggot was involved from the start. Trained by Ian Reilly for David Murtagh, the son of Ballymac Cashout and Slippery Diva was a close second to Jerrivee De Meg into the bend but forced his way past his rival at this point.
This would prove the decisive moment in the contest. Once striking the front, Actindamaggot was always going to be hard to pass. Gallant Captain did charge into the third turn but had nowhere to go as the leader cut the corner. Maintaining a strong gallop to the finish, the Actindamaggot claimed his seventh career victory by three lengths in a fast 28.43. Gallant Captain was second with Jerrivee De Meg another half length away in third.
NUA STUNS IN FINALE
It was fitting on a night of superb racing that the finale produced the best run on the card with Droichead Nua storming to a brilliant success for Shaun Conway and the Newbridge Racing Syndicate.
Coming in as a reserve for the Droopy Kathleen, he clearly meant business. Although not the fastest into stride, he drove into the turn to assert along the fence. Harlequin Gee Up took up the pursuit but it was futile.
Droichead Nua was in a league of his own. Pulling right away, the son of Dorotas Wildcat and Limini eventually hit the line with eight and a half lengths in hand on Harlequin Gee Up in a brilliant, fastest of the night, 28.29.
SAPPHIRE WINS A THRILLING OPENER
There was a wonderful atmosphere ahead of and during the 575yd opener with Bockos Sapphire emerging a tremendous winner for graham Holland and owners Bev Lochead and Austin Whelan.
A daughter of Droopys Sydney and Derby champion Susie Sapphire, she turned second to Rural Ana before engaging the afterburners into the third turn. Despite the best efforts of Rural Ana, Bockos Saphire took over into the third turn and proved too strong thereafter.
Powering up the home straight, Bockos Sapphire emerged two lengths clear of her kennel companion Rural Ana in a quick 31.15.
VILLAIN LEAVES IT LATE
The semi-finals of the Bet With the Tote A3 525 were two hugely competitive races.
Old Road Villain won the opening heat for his owners the Sunny South Easy Syndicate, staying on best of all to deny Droopys Punch and Roscomroe Rocky. This was a competitive contest with Corcass Lodge setting a strong gallop from the start but he was always under pressure from both Old Road Villain and Droopys Punch.
The latter looked the main threat into the third turn when moving second but was forced to check his stride. In contrast, Old Road Villain (Droopys Flytline/ Noirs Lottie) stayed wide of the leaders to make a decisive challenge on the run in. in a cracking finish, he got up to beat Droopys Punch by three parts of length in 28.98.
BUN WINS IN CLOSEST FINISH ON THE CARD
The second heat was even tighter at the finish with Gunner Bun (Hawkfield Ozark/ Swift Honora) getting up in the final stride to see of Seamount Joy and Aussie Alert.
Duffin Dermy challenged with Seamount Joy around the opening two bends but neither could get far enough clear.
Duffin Dermy led by a couple of lengths into the third turn but the oxygen levels began to diminish. Behind the front two, Gunner Bun and Aussie Alert began to draw closer, setting up a grandstand finish.
Rita O’Donnell’s Gunner Bun had something in reserve and charged up the home straight to get to the front in the final stride, seeing off Seamount Joy and Aussie Alert by a short head and a short head in 29.24.
A DYNAMIC EFFORT FROM LENNIES
Lennies Dynamic looked a bright prospect in the semi-finals of the Friday Racing Back in February A2 Dual Distance, leaving his rivals standing in the opening heat before tying up in the closing yards.
Representing the powerful combination of Paul Hennessy and Lee Craze, the promising son of Dorotas Wildcat and Pennys Jetstream actually missed the start but flew into the bend to move clear.
By halfway, he had matters well in hand going some six lengths clear but he gave his odds-on backers a fright on the run in. His stride began to shorten as they turned for home and needed the line.
Lennies Dynamic held on, however, seeing off the advancing Drill Baby Drill by three parts of a length in 29.98. Have no doubt, the winner will go considerably faster in the future and is one for the notebook.
MCELROY LEAVES IT LATE
The second heat saw DrumcrowMcelroy recover from a slow start and early traffic to win for Crawford Ruddy.
The son of Drumcrow Darwin and Lemon Kerrie was last after a few strides only to move fourth on the bend.
He remained in fourth down the back straight with Daring Danny setting the pace ahead of Paulstown Cash and Da Short Haul. Importantly, Paulstown Cash checked when attempting to get up the inside of Daring Danny around the last two bends and this left room for DrumcrowMcelroy to make his move.
Sticking to the fence, he drew closer before striking on the run in. DrumcrowMcelroy emerged a head winner over Daring Danny in 30.25 with Paulstown Cash another head away in third.
NOT A WORD NEEDED
Notawordsaid was a good winner of the penultimate race, riding some bumping on the turn to make most of the running.
Donishall Sam was the 2-5 favourite and looked set to go close when disputing the lead into the turn only for Notawordsaid to force his way to the front.
It was a purposeful move from the Ollie Bray trained son of Ballymac Cashout and Slippery Diva. Cutting off the favourite, the Fancy Your Chances Syndicate owned Notawordsaid moved into a clear lead by the second turn and proceeded to make all for a length and a half verdict over the favourite in 28.63.
STYLE SAYS GOODBYE TO A5 COMPANY
Anne Rowe’s Jaz Style said goodbye to A5 company in some style in the second race over the 550yd trip, showing a clean pair of heels to his rivals.
Showing decent early speed, the Robert Gleeson trained son of Droopys Flytline and Up The Style quickly moved clear and eventually cruised home nine lengths to the good over Media Mogul in 30.19.