Timor Blue can cheat draw in Leger final

The trap draw could the deciding factor in the Kerry Agribusiness Irish St Leger final at Limerick this evening.

In a contest made up of six inside seeds, likely favourite Timor Blue is burdened with the dreaded striped jacket.

That’s not to say that Timor Blue can’t overcome the handicap. The blue is amongst the fastest in training and but for a small hiccup in the semi-finals has been foot-perfect through the stake. In the quarter-finals he was just .01 off the track record when posting a wonderful 29.33.

He would be a certainty if he could repeat that effort, but he has to come away racing with the likes of Shaneboy Lee, Bar Blackstone and Chicken Supper all with exceptional chances.

The presence of Chicken Supper in trap four is a major bonus to the chances of the outside pair, Shaneboy Lee and Timor Blue. With Chicken Supper likely to cut inwards, both Shaneboy and Timor could find room to race.

Bar Blackstone is probably the main threat to Timor Blue in trap two and with a good break could play a major part.

Timor Blue remains the choice, however. If he can get the better of Shaneboy Lee to the opening turn, he could find himself in the perfect position to strike as they enter the back.

Timor Blue has been at the head of the betting since the start of the competition and he can credit trainer Jim Morrissey and owner Larry O’Shea with their second victory in this classic. Sean Dunphy’s Bar Blackstone and Eoghan Kiely’s Shaneboy Lee can chase him home.

The quarter-finals of the Sporting Press Irish Oaks take place in Shelbourne Park this evening.

The tone can be set in the opening heat where Maireads Fantasy and Blonde Fern renew first round rivalry. Add to the mix the in-form Home Belle and it should be a fascinating contest.

The bookmakers seem to favour Maireads Fantasy going all the way and she can enhance her rating by leading throughout to see off Blonde Fern.

Ray Patterson’s Skywalker Queen is another well fancied contender and while she has yet to open her account in the stake, she looks the one to beat in Heat 8.

Faypoint Lauren stands out as the main threat.

Shingaun Stan will be fancied to go close in Heat 3 after a sensational 28.45 return last weekend, but her task is far from straightforward. She must face the Mick O’Donovan trained duo of Lady Glenard and Another Issue, while Cool Cousin Suzy is also capable of playing a big part.

Denis Hannon’s Springwell Dot must be the selection for the last qualifier but keep an eye on Minnies Alainn in the stripes.

At Thurles the feature is the final of the Irish Examiner A3 525 and it could come down to a battle between in-form Property Cruiser and impressive semi-final winner Fealeview Razl.

On the strength of the draw and last week’s form, the latter gets the nod to lift the €4,500 prize ahead of the Paul Hennessy trained Property Cruiser.