Caesar Music may deny Fitzgerald further glory

ACE trainer Pa Fitzgerald’s won’t be giving up hope of further Irish Cup glory without a a big battle.

Despite the disappointment of having to withdraw favourite Kerry Call with a muscle injury, he still has a live contender in Chelsea Speed, who clocked on of the fastest times of the opening round at Limerick Racecourse yesterday.

However, on this occasion Fitzgerald and owner Patsy Byrne may find one too good in Caesar Music, trained by Kevin Barry, who also achieved a fast clock despite being unsighted for part of the journey against Highland Harbour.

In the top quarter, Derby Pines, the favourite for this year’s Derby, and Captain Dru ran well at the top of the sector while Kyle Basil and Chelsea Speed caught the eye at the bottom. I expect Derby Pines and Captain Dru to win their second round courses this morning to set up a mouthwatering third course in the afternoon. It should be close but Derby Pines gets the nod.

Both Chelsea Speed and Kyle Basil should also come out on top in their second round buckles but Chelsea Speed will have to pull out all the stops to beat Mucky Eamonn. It looks like a toss up between Kyle Basil and Chelsea Speed in the third round and Patsy Byrne’s runner may just about shade it.

The top half of the second quarter should provide a great battle between Killimor Matey and last year’s winner Bexhill Eoin. The latter showed good speed yesterday and can make it to the final day. Drive On Guest looks the one to advance from the bottom of this sector.

Kerry Calling and Lisloose Eoin, who came in for Aristo Emperor yesterday, look the pick of the top half of the third quarter and I take Kerry Calling to come out on top. At the bottom of the quarter, Caesar Music should go a long way and he should make it to the final eight at the expense of Windfarm Eiscir.

The bottom quarter is the most open with the likely third round meetings between Blazing Serpent and Kyle King, who could have it tough against Moot King, and between Tynwald Stuart and Likely Treble, having a big say in which of the quarter will make it to the final day. These two courses are very hard to call but I given slight preference to Blazing Serpent and Tynwald Stuart.

I go for a Chelsea Speed – Caesar Music decider with the latter fancied to come out on top.

Coursing will commence this morning at 11.30.