Rockybay Thomas can cash in on favourable draw

Rockybay Thomas can send Curraheen punters home on a high by making the most of a favourable draw in the finale.

Sat, 01 Aug, 2015 - 01:00

The Kieran Lynch-trained dog has been a brilliant servant to connections, and remains at the top of his game. A winner at the top level on July 4, he can be forgiven his subsequent defeat, as he found plenty of early trouble.

Back on the fence, from where he excels, the selection can be expected to dominate from the outset, and it’ll take a good performance to lower his colours. There are a number of smart performers in opposition, but he looks booked to lead and that could prove the difference. Cooly Jane can chase him home.

The final of the Curraheen Park Instagram A2 525 is the feature event on the card, and it looks a wide-open affair. Marginal preference is for fastest semi-final winner Glenanore Ace, from the kennel of Tom O’Neill.

Winner of the Jerry Hennerty Memorial Unraced Stake on Laurels final night, he competed at a high level thereafter, and last week’s drop in grade provided some welcome respite. He used the opportunity to get back to winning ways and, being very well drawn, can make all to follow up.

Ballycannon Hero is feared most, while Hitachi Grace is better than she showed last time, and should also be respected, though she must avoid an early clash with Finger Toast.

At Shelbourne Park, the very exciting Secreto can take the finale for trainer Mossy O’Connor. The lightly raced September pup looked a really smart sort in Tralee, and ran a super race in defeat on his Dublin debut, here last weekend.

On that most recent outing, he showed signs of inexperience, which is entirely understandable, and yet managed to post a time of 29.70. He seems certain to improve considerably and, while he’s entitled to need plenty of time to find his feet, this is an opportunity to prove he could develop into a Derby contender this year.

Sheila Spillane and JJ Fennelly send a few runners to Shelbourne, and their Burgess Rumble enjoys a significant drop in class in race six, which is an A1-A2 525. Ideally drawn, the Laurels runner-up has winning form around the track and from the inside box. With one of his better breaks, he’ll make them all go.

Connections also run Burgess Tadhg in race seven, and the improving sort certainly has claims. However, there’s plenty of Cork interest with the Brendan O’Shea, Millstreet, trained Crossfield Titus, the Paddy Crowley, Fermoy, owned Coran Sky, and Laurels finalist Knocktoo Garry in opposition. In a good race, the classy Coran Sky can defy a three-month, before having a tilt at the Derby.

Curraheen selections

Race 1:

Captain Krunch (Minor Bound)

Race 2:

Tyrur Maxi (Ardrath Scarlett)

Race 3:

Vedfield Coolio (Happy Endings)

Race 4:

Liss Dolly (Canvas Buddy)

Race 5:

Lavan Blue (Droopys Parma)

Race 6: