Historic Moment beckons for Linehan
Owned by Liam Burke, the selection has been in scintillating form recently, completing a hat-trick in 29.58 last week, having gone within one spot (29.47) of the track record on his penultimate start.
Ballymac Bullet looks the danger. This six-times winner is the only other unbeaten finalist, recording back-to-back 29.87 and 29.68 wins.
Linehan can also land the Tote Retention A2 Stakes final with Nirvana. A winner of eight of her 25 starts, Nirvana turned in a career-equalling best when making all in 28.84 last week and can again make light of a four draw.
Track record holder Fat Budgie contests the Open 525. Paul Hennessy’s runner hinted at a return to form when second at Shelbourne recently but preference if for the well drawn Broadacres Tommy, unlucky when second in 29.18 at Clonmel last time.
Meanwhile, at Youghal tomorrow the John Dineen Southern Puppy Cup final forms the centrepiece of a 12-race card
There is little to choose between the finalists on the clock, making it a difficult race to call. Drominboy Jet and Rambler Sammy merit plenty of respect but it may pay to side with early pacer Staley Vegas.
The Southern Sprint runner-up showed his rivals a clean pair of heels when recording a runaway 29.32 first round success.
Staley Vegas failed to start in the same slick manner when overhauled close home in the semis but, in the hope that lightning doesn’t strike twice, he gets the vote to lift the e2,000 prize.
Drominboy Jet, who touched off Rambler Sammy in 29.25 last week, has plenty of scope for improvement but may find life harder from a four draw.
If the draw has been unkind to Drominboy Jet then the opposite is the case with Rambler Sammy. This consistent sort is perfectly sited on the rails.
Par Three is difficult to get away from in the second semi-final of the Xmas Cracker A4 Stake.
This fellow turned in a power-packed performance when scoring in 29.23 last week and can continue on an upward curve, probably at the expense of 29.44 heat winner Come On Prince.
Luddys Pick is on a retrieving mission in the opening semi-final. The Pat Norris trained runner was slowly away when second at odds-on last week. As that was only his second race, Luddys Pick can make amends here.
