Bitches to dominate Guinness

The start of the 48th Annual Guinness Trophy brings a tangible touch of class to proceedings at Curraheen Park and it looks like the ladies could dominate the opening night.

The classy Kranky Ma looks an apt runner to open up proceedings and she should prove very hard to beat in the first heat.

John Kiely’s bitch showed real tenacity to set up a winning run last weekend and, as this is no tougher that last Saturday’s night’s race, she is confidently expected to lead all the way.

Beamish & Murphy’s A2 Stake runner-up Black Maestro should provide the principal danger.

The Johnny Linehan-trained Droopys Indi ought to be hard to beat in the second heat. The bitch has been running in pretty hot company recently and she should be undaunted by this task. Reigning champ Oakfront Aga would be a danger at his best but he’s not been seen since June and it’s reasonable to expect that he might need the run.

Youngster Gogetembabe could represent some value in the third heat. It is a real concern that she hasn’t been around the track before but she’s capable of doing it both ways and this is certainly one of the weaker heats. She has shown terrific finishing speed on a couple of occasions and, as stamina could be at a premium in this race, she is selected to come late and fast for victory.

Another bitch, Danielles Shelly, looks drawn to take the fourth heat. Michael Lynam’s lady is a superb breaker and if she can produce her best from the inside box, she should lead around the corner. Fleetwood Nick boasts fine all-round speed and rates a real danger.

Sede Vacante makes his return after a couple of months out but a recent solo (17.67) indicates he’s ready to fire. That being the case, he should lead all the way in the fifth heat.

In the last of the six first-round heats the stunningly consistent Paid Paddy should take some stopping. Bobby Barrett’s dog has a fine draw on the rails and should make the most of it.

The best bet on the card comes in the fifth race where Tom O’Neill’s Rediscover looks well treated and well drawn. The bitch is up to this class and should take stopping from a favourable rails pitch.