Farloe ideally drawn to switch off the Light
A bonus for those attending is that the Ireland-France match will be shown live on the big screen during racing.
This time Boherduff Light has the fearsome task of matching early strides with Mineola Farloe, who is ideally drawn inside him in heat one.
The heat is made all the more intriguing by the fact that Blonde Rumble in trap one was withdrawn yesterday, leaving the race a five-dog affair.
This effectively means that Mineola Farloe is on the ‘inside’ compared to his poor trap five draw in the opening round when Seamus Graham’s star coped admirably to finish second after an early buffeting.
Both of tonight's principals had moderate sectionals last week, but expect an explosion of power to the bend this time.
Expert form reader Donal Leahy is adamant I’m wrong to desert Boherduff Light, claiming Owen McKenna’s charge is the Curraheen specialist. Not only that, he is also the record holder at Kilkenny and Youghal. However, Mineola Farloe is Derby class and his trainer, not one to make wild claims, rates him highly. He might be led to the bend, but he should win the stamina battle on the way home.
Heat two could fall to Tyrur Ted in trap one - if he doesn’t fall foul of Paul Hennessy’s other runner, Blonde Mac, on his outside. Honchos Pearlasb went up fast in the first round but was in the wars at the escape - with the lure of all things! He came off worst with a bloodied mouth, but if the experience hasn’t put him off, he will surely lead early on.
Trap one will not suit the middle runner Kilfera King in heat three and that could leave the door for Nikita Billie to take another scalp in defence of his title.
John Kiely’s Chipp Lad gave way after a good tussle last time, but, drawn in six, must get another chance in heat four. But, expect a better run from Droopys Cahill, a sluggish enough first round performer.
Owen McKenna’s Oran Rainbow was baulked last time, but is no slouch given a run. The strong staying Jesceda Lad looks the one to follow him home in heat five.
Farloe Pocket was the star of the show when the curtain went up in the classic. He returns to take another bow in heat six, and is impossible to oppose on the wide outside. Dunhill could follow him home. Patrick O’Connor is responsible for this fellow, and this young trainer will surely have learned all the tricks of the trade from his astute father Tom.
Goblet of Fire (3.30 sectional) bolted to the bend last week and his victory, following earlier reverses, surely saved many scalded punters a detour to the ‘hole in the wall’ on the way home.
His main rival tonight, John McGees’s High King Closure, has the joint fastest sectional (3.28), and, from an ideal wide draw, will really put it up to Hennessy’s speedster in heat seven.
Pat Buckley will have Velvet Honcho sharpened by now and he should overhaul the fast starting Seomra Bondi (3.28) on the run home.
1st race: Fair Cop (Farnalough Queens)
2nd race: Ivory Glen (Mountleader Mate)
3rd race: Mineola Farloe (Boherduff Light).
4th race: Tyrur Ted (Honchos Pearlasb)
5th race: Nikita Billie (Kilfera King).
6th race: Chipp Lad (Quiet Spiral)
7th race: Oran Rainbow (Jesceda Lad)
8th race: Farloe Pocket (Dunhill).
9th race: Goblet of Fire (Hi King Closure)
10th race: Velvet Honcho (Seomra Bondi).
11th race: Graigue Scenario (Historic Moment).
