Panther looks poised to strike Gold

After suffering the first defeat of his career in the semi finals of the SIS Live Gold Cup last weekend, the bookmakers clearly feel Milldean Panther will return to his best this evening and claim the €30,000 winner’s prize.

Installed a 4-6 chance after the trap draw, he remains on that mark and there seems little reason for him to drift this evening. In normal circumstances the brilliant Broadstrand Lad would be seen as a serious threat, but he hasn’t been rewarded for his semi final heroics.

In a contest with six inside seeds, Broadstrand Lad has been handed the dreaded stripes draw. Remarkably John Linehan’s wonderful servant has raced only once from trap six and that came in his debut over two years ago. Tonight he will have support, but clearly needs to be at his sharpest if he is to overcome his nightmare draw and claim the richest prize of his career.