Big guns safely negotiate first day of Irish Cup
There were a few surprises however the biggest, perhaps, was the puppy Aftertiming going out to 100-1 outsider Brannig Riobamba by a half a length.
Aftertiming had reached the last eight in the Boylesport Derby at Clonmel earlier in the month and was expected to go a long way but, in an exciting buckle, Brannig Riobamba shaded it for the turn.
Another 100-1 shot to create an upset was the puppy Lixnaw Eoin who put paid to the chances of 25-1 chance Rightogowrong. The loser led early on in this buckle but then went unsighted. The third major surprise was Droopys Babs, a 20-1 chance long odds, failing to master the puppy Strike The Lotto. The latter got up in an exciting buckle and then had a further five turns afterwards.
There will be two rounds of the Cup today. In the top of the opening quarter Kyle Ranger should advance to the last eight while at the bottom of the sector Cuddly Man looks the part.
Two strongly fancied contenders, Kyle King and Killimor Matey, who was involved it an undecided course yesterday but got through on the toss of a coin, meet at the top of the second quarter and whoever wins here should make it to the last eight. At the bottom of the quarter Offshore Eoin looks the percentage bet to advance.
The puppy Ashmore Master and Dresden Call make most appeal in the third quarter.
Last year’s Derby winner Central City ran well yesterday and is now favourite to win out.
He should have little difficulty in making it to the final day from the top of the fourth quarter.
The bottom of this sector is very open with Moot Point, beaten in the final here by Derby Pines last year, looking the best possibility to advance.
