Sede Vacante set to stamp his class

Sede Vacante can be confidently expected to stamp his class all over the night’s tenth race, which is the last quarter-final heat of the Guinness Trophy.

John Kiely’s dog achieved a lot towards the end of last year and as he’s still quite a young tracker, he should have more to give in 2012.

In last weekend’s opening round, he stumbled badly shortly after exiting traps but showed terrific ability a nd tenacity to rush up to the leader at the opening turn. On what was his return from a few months off the track, he understandably faded in the closing stages to finish fourth behind Rising Flyer.

With the make-up of the stake dictating that four would qualify from the first round, he had his slice of luck but he should be able to make the most of it.

Trap six isn’t usually ideal for an inside seed but I don’t see it being a problem tonight. The son of Balintore Brave has superior early pace to his rivals and can lead all the way

Paid Paddy owes neither connections nor Curraheen Park patrons, but the gift that keeps on giving can celebrate his 50th career outing with his 27th success.

He faces some very useful sorts in the third quarter-final of the Guinness Trophy but he ran a cracker when recording 28.99 in victory last weekend and it’s reasonable to expect that he has come on for the run. Kranky Ma could prove a stumbling block but Paid Paddy knows where the line is and he can make that count. Droopys Indi ran a super race in defeat last week but she looks poorly drawn and appears to be getting caught for pace in the last 25 yards into the bend. Nevertheless, she has the ability to go close.

Burgess Star can take the opening quarter-final for JJ Fennelly and Sheila Spillane. Like Paid Paddy, he’s been a terrific servant to connections and punters alike and he continues in superb form despite bearing down on his fourth birthday.

Mastering Fleetwood Nick in the early stages looks like it’ll be the key to his chances and if he can do that, he should race home clear of the improving Black Maestro.