Student Pass should be equal to test in Guinness Trophy
The fact is that to take the prize money, Student Pass will have to perform a feat he has never before managed win a race from an outside trap.
The draw, in consigning Owen McKenna's speedster to a very unfavourable trap five, not only made it an intriguing final, but also a nightmare for the punters.
Student Pass’s nine wins have all been recorded from the three inside boxes so it’s no wonder Cashmans go evens about his chances; a trap one or two draw would have made him an odds-on shot.
Clearly the issue will be decided at trap-rise. The dreaded scenario for trainer Paul Hennessy would be Blonde Thunder moving in from four and taking the ground of his other more fancied runner, Fat Budgie. That would cause chaos in the inside ranks and the obvious ones to benefit would be Student Pass and Deejay Ninetysix. However, if Fat Budgie found his track record breaking form the race would take on a different complexion. If there is trouble, however, the outside pair would have a clear run to the bend and Student Pass clearly has the ‘early’ to go round in front.
However, many shrewd judges give Deejay Ninetysix an outstanding chance, an excellent 28.69 semi-final run enhancing his claims. Certain to take the scenic route, he looks sure of a dream run and Mogeely’s Denis Fitzgerald, one of the new generation of top trainers, is sure to have him on the right wavelength.
Padraig O’Regan’s Lios an Eolais provided the 100-1 shock of the stake in the second round and the three brave punters who jumped in then, could do worse than re-invest at 33-1 tonight.
The ultra game Trumpers Jack is a surprise finalist but Shane Ronayne’s charge loves the rails and is ideally drawn should any of the principals come unstuck.
Still, it’s hard to get away from Student Pass. He gave a clear indication he is something special with last week’s 28.34 run and we must assume his trainer - the man with the Midas touch - has left something in the locker. A win here and the sights will be raised for the Cashman Irish Laurels later in the year - the same route taken by last year’s Guinness winner, Boherduff Light.
