Droopys Agassi holds the aces

AFTER a low-key few weeks, things are set to hot up at Curraheen Park tonight with the cream of the crop contesting the opening session in the Guinness Trophy.

Straight into action goes the star of the show, Cashmans’ 3-1 ante-post favourite Droopys Agassi, but Owen McKenna’s runner faces a ferociously tough opening heat. However, he is primed for action, a 28.69 runaway victory at Shelbourne Park last week testifying to the well-being of the 2002 Irish Derby finalist.

A ‘scouting’ mission in Cork on January 10 resulted in a flying 28.36 solo trial, but he will need a repeat with a host of smart performers queuing up inside him.

The best of them could be the Christy O’Callaghan trained Sleek Bill in trap five and his 28.43 winning effort a fortnight ago suggest he will trouble the selection.

In heat two Mossie O’Connor’s charge Slippery Bill can get back on the winning trail. He has a 28.24 run in Cork on his card and if he can get anywhere near that he could spoil Sinabhfuilbertie’s re-appearance. The local dog has been under wraps since his exit in the semi-finals of the Laurels and may need the run.

O’Connor could double up in heat five with Cloney’s Rocket. Almost certain to get a clear run to the corner, he could be the bet of the night.

Legal Moment, second favourite with Cashmans’ at 5-1, has run into a sticky opener in heat eight.

Although a winner of the Champion Bitch Stakes at Thurles last month and a recent 28.74 winner at Shelbourne Park, she faces the Paul Hennessy trained Jordans Elect and this early pacer could a put a stop to her gallop.

Hennessy also travels with Laurels Consolation winner Confident Choice, but he may have to give best to the John G Donohoe trained Cold Calling in trap five.

Heat seven could provide the race of the night and Christy O’Callaghan’s Barnfield Ranger could deny McKenna a double by getting the better of Boherduff Light.

Selections

1st race: Springville Win (Who’s Gone Down)

2nd race: Droopys Agassi (Sleek Bill)

3rd race: Slippery Bill (Sinabhfuilbertie)

4th race: Cold Calling (Confident Choice

5th race: Dower Jet ( Glenske Honcho)

6th race: Cloneys Rocket ( Got The Lite)

7th race: McCarthy (Air Force Jedi

8th race: Barnfield Ranger (Boherduff Light)

9th race: Jordans Elect (Legal Moment)

10th race: Free Moment (Carrowkeal Tom )