Broadstrand Lad difficult to look beyond on current form

IRELAND’S finest will be in action at Shelbourne Park this evening in the second round of the Tote Gold Cup. Last weekend’s action featured many superb performances and more of the same is expected tonight.

Clear favourite for outright honours is Razldazl George and he was one of those to impress seven days ago. His style of racing suggests that he will stay further than the 550yds trip and at 5-1 he may be plenty short enough for outright honours.

He faces a stiff test this evening in Heat 3 where Fatboyz Tyson, Colorful Fox and Ballymac Tipp are amongst his rivals. There seems little doubt Razldazl George will start favourite, but he needs to be at his sharpest in the early stages from a tricky draw in trap five. Should he fail to trap on terms he could find himself with plenty of work to do. Ballymac Tipp and Fatboyz Tyson look the main dangers.

Following two brilliant displays in the past fortnight, John Linehan’s Broadstrand Lad is now amongst those well fancied for outright honours and he should have a big say once again in Heat 2. The progressive Moes Tavern looks a serious threat from trap one, but on current form it’s difficult to look beyond Broadstrand Lad.

Tyrur Domingo is a potential superstar and he stands out as the one to beat in the opening heat despite the presence of some hugely talented rivals, including Judicial Academy, Allowdale Prince, Slippery Bob and Joey Jojo Junior.

If Domingo makes one of his better starts he will be extremely difficult to contain. Expect his brilliant pace from the second bend to prove decisive. Slippery Bob can chase him home.

The final heat could be decided in the opening yards with many early-paced trackers in the line up. On opening round form Quick Lee is perhaps the one with the strongest claims, although he will need to produce one of his trademark fast starts to get the better of Jonny Whitesox, Tyrur Henry and Razldazl Lord.

At Limerick all eyes will be on Express Trend when she lines out in the second round of the Roches Feeds Oaks. The fawn starlet was easily the most impressive opening round heat winner when posting a sensational 28.29.

Her time was easily the fastest posted at the new circuit for the standard trip and a similar effort would see her emerge triumphant in Heat 3 this evening. Of her rivals, the classy Razldazl Alice looks the biggest threat, but it’s difficult to consider opposing Express Trend.

Heat 4 features four opening round winners with Ballymac Lefanta boasting the best form. Liam Dowling’s early-paced lady looks a likely leader and she shouldn’t be caught if dictating the pace.

Mozzletoff found Express Trend too good on her seasonal debut last weekend, but she can step up on that form to open her account for 2011 in Heat 5. Borna Del is clearly the biggest threat.

Air Force Ellie could be the one to beat in the opening heat. The fast-finishing blue suffered traffic problems in her opening round defeat, but should she receive a clear passage tonight she will be very difficult to contain.