Slab should take a world of beating

It’s Cork GOBA Christmas Party night at Curraheen Park and five finals feature on the 12-race programme.

The best bet on the card comes in the shape of Gwan Slab, who should take a world of beating in the John O’Brien (Belindas) A2 525 decider.

The Kieran Lynch-trained runner was unlucky in running in the semi-finals and did very well to take second spot behind Skeough Town. He looks much better drawn this time and, if he can steer a clear run around the opening bends, his stamina and class can carry him to victory.

Witches Sandy won her semi-final and may prove the biggest danger. She completed a hat-trick with a fine effort last weekend and there should be more to come.

Spur Hotshot impressed in victory in the semi-finals of the Curraheen Park Bookmakers’ Unraced Stake and the youngster can follow up in the decider.

Drawn in six, as he was last time, he has the pace to lead around and it’ll be no surprise to see him jump forward significantly on his winning clock. Brendan Murphy’s dog is from that very promising Head Bound x Spur Joey litter and can enhance its reputation by leading all the way.

The danger may come from Knight Trip, who didn’t enjoy much luck in the semi-finals but ran a race full of promise. He has plenty to find on the bare form but the experience and a more favourable trap draw should ensure a much-improved performance.

In the final of the Bartlemy Road Ltd A3 Tri-Distance, over 575 yards, the Johnny Linehan-trained Broadstrand Blue can land the spoils ahead of Ridgedale Hawk, a 30.07 semi-final winner.