Easter Cup market shake-up after high-profile withdrawals

The College Causeway/Killahan Phanter Easter Cup picture changed drastically yesterday when two high-profile withdrawals from next Saturday’s second round resulted in Thurlesbeg Joker becoming a very hot favourite to land the prestigious Shelbourne Park feature.

Both Tyrur Quinn and Da Hatter were withdrawn due to varying reasons and their defection means that just four runners will contest the second heat on Saturday night.

Tyrur Quinn was tender on his right front leg on Sunday morning following his first round heat and an x-ray revealed what trainer Paul Hennessy described as a “minor problem. We hope it is not serious but he is too good a dog to risk, the best I have had for some time. He is being aimed at the Irish Derby”.