Fortune should favour the Brave
Well, as usual, it was worth the wait for the €35,000 to the winner event has attracted an outstanding entry. And, armed with the sponsor’s pledge that the punter comes first, we’re sure to get rich into the bargain!
However, that could be a slow process and certainly won’t happen tonight as some of the probable winners will start at very cramped odds.
Ballintore Brave could start the trend in the opening heat by going clear from his ideal wide draw. The Graham Calvert runner is a 5-4 chance and can set the ball rolling for favourite backers. He ran in the Derby company and will appreciate the step down from such exalted company. Mossie O’Connor’s Jesceda Lad set Youghal alight when winning Southern Champion Stakes and is sure to be hot on his heels.
The lightly-raced Farloe Pocket is highly regarded and a 28.53 trial on Saturday suggests Stephen Burke’s 5-2 chance is primed for action in heat two. In a very even looking contest, the well drawn Zigzag Hurricane could follow him home.
Droopys Cahill will be virtually unbackable in heat three. Ian O’Reilly’s English Derby Consolation winner has two smart trials at the track and will be on many short lists for ultimate honours. Patrick O’Connor’s Ivory Glen could be the one for the forecast.
Nikita Billie returns to defend his crown, and is disregarded in the ante-post list at 40-1. However, trainer Moss O’Connor has a knack of getting them right when it counts. That could be later in the competition and for now he must see off a few smart rivals in heat four. Honchos Pearlasb could be the best of them, and, with a good card, looks value at 9-2.
Strange to see no Paul Hennessy runner quoted under 10-1, but expect that to change after the first round. Expensive purchase Tyrur Ted can put down a marker in heat five. However, he lacks early pace and may be forced to overhaul his kennelmate, Blonde Mac, on the way home.
The final heat can fall to the Jim Morrissey trained Kilfera King. This fellow was another Derby casualty, but rebounded in style with impressive back-to-back wins at Shelbourne Park. The in-form Pat Buckley’s Velvet Honcho runs from the outside and is a live contender.
:
5 Mineola Farloe, Droopys Marco; 6 Droopys Cahill; 8 Kilfera King; 10 Boherduff Light; 14 Goblet Of Fire; 16 Tyrur Ted; 20 Ballintore Brave, Hi King Closure, Barefoot Maestro; 25 Droopys Ruud, Oran Rainbow, Chipp Lad, Farran Lady; 33 Rhincrew Shergar; 40 Farloe Pocket, Nikita Billie, Blonde Mac, Petes Noble; 50-1 bar.
1st race: Brookpark Ralf (Shades Of Moses)
2nd race: Mrs Bucket (Sams Beauty)
3rd race: Reagrove Byway (Carrigane Pal)
4th race: Balintore Brave (Jesceda Lad)
5th race: Farloe Pocket (Blonde Rumble)
6th race: Droopys Cahill (Oran Rainbow)
7th race: Honchos Pearlasb (Nikita Billie)
8th race: Tyrur Ted (Blonde Mac)
9th race: Kilfera King (Velvet Honcho)
10th race: Bibs Beauty (Vieri Choice).
