ANOTHER SATURDAY STUNNER AT SHELBOURNE
Ian Fortune
Shelbourne Park will again play host to a stunning Saturday night card this evening with the semi-finals of the Donal Beatty Memorial Corn Cuchulainn the undoubted feature, although there will also be huge interest in the semis of the Shelbourne Maiden Derby and the hugely valuable Celtic Cooling Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Open Unraced.
A place in the final of the stayers classic, the Donal Beatty Memorial Corn Cuchulainn, is on the line and while both semi-finals are of a very high standard, the opening heat is particularly hot with impressive opening round scorers Lennies Desire, Glengar Silent and Ballymac Chantry clashing.
Indeed, each of the trio are amongst the fastest in training over four bends and the fact that they have taken so well to the extended 750yd trip is remarkable and great credit to their trainers.
Lennies Desire continued the incredible run of form for the Paul Hennessy/ Lee Craze combo. On the same night as Lennies Ash captured the Oaks and just a week after Lennies Eddie won the English Derby, Lennies Desire posted one of the fastest times ever recorded for 750yds in the opening round.
Showing his rivals a clean pair of heels from the start, he eventually emerged a facile winner in a stunning 41.01. It was the second fastest time ever recorded at Shelbourne over the trip and he will be extremely hard to stop this evening if he were to repeat that form.
Glengar Silent and Ballymac Chantry can take some hope from the fact that an inside draw may not be ideal for Lennies Desire and were he to miss the start, even slightly, he is not guaranteed a clear passage.
Of course, Glengar Silent and Ballymac Chantry have awesome four bend pace and could set a true gallop if getting loose but it’s also imperative that both come away racing. Garfiney Warrior, Youandme Babe and Deerjet Matilda complete a talented line-up and while each has plenty of ability, they may need to be at their very best to land a telling blow.
While trap one is not the most ideal draw or Lennies Desire, it’s difficult to ignore his opening round effort which was truly special. If starting on terms, he could quickly make his intentions known and he is chosen to lead home Ballymac Chantry and Glengar Silent.
PRICELESS TO PUT RIVALS ON ICE
The second heat is also intriguing, albeit a lot weaker than the opening semi.
Priceless On Ice is the certain favourite from a kind draw on the fence after an eye-catching run behind Glengar Silent in the opening round.
If turning close to the pace, she may prove difficult to contain. Singalong Polly has superb four bend speed, as does Barntick Bucko but both were very tired from the fifth bend in the opening round assignments.
If either are to emerge on top, they may need to get off the front and build a sizeable advantage. Instead Highview Air is selected as the main danger to Priceless On Ice. She has run well in both her starts over the 750yd trip and seems likely to develop into a talented stayer. Stamina is not a concern and, much like the favourite, can come to the fore in the latter stages.
Roscomroe Rocky and Snowy April complete the line-up with both needing luck. Instead, Priceless On Ice is the selection to pick up the pieces from halfway with Highview Air and Singalong Polly nominated as the main dangers.
CAN MALINAS FINALLY SHAKE MAIDEN TAG?
Ballymac Malinas is a greyhound with a huge reputation.
There have certainly been signs of real ability but he remains a true maiden ahead of his appearance in the opening semi-final of the Shelbourne Maiden Derby and many will question if tonight is the time for him to finally open his account at the eighth time of asking.
He was a little underwhelming in defeat last week but it’s difficult not to be influenced by his recent 27.86 trial at HQ. Indeed, if finding a start tonight, his rivals may not see what way he went. But there is enough evidence to suggest he can also be opposed by those looking for a bit of value.
Of his rivals, Gaytime Teco, Uncle Keith and West Coast Cool did enough last week to suggest they can go close if the favourite again fluffs his lines, while Jacktavern Bull and Old Alaska are no forlorn hopes despite a tough draw.
Ballymac Malinas is the selection but one suspects he may need to show more urgency in the opening exchanges to get off the mark. Gaytime Teco is nominated as the biggest threat.
REX READY TO ROLL
Riverside Rex was mighty impressive in the opening round, showing his rivals a clean pair of heels throughout to win in 29.45.
He will need a similar return in the second heat with Magical Fiona seen as a serious rival.
Throw in the strong running Sleight Of Hand, the early paced Harvard Square, opening round winner A Charda and the improving Yacht View and it is highly competitive.
Importantly, Riverside Red is drawn on the right side of his main rivals. Magical Fiona went up well last week but she will need a flying start to get first run on Riverside Rex. Harvard Square will also need a flying start to five to get first run. A fast start is imperative but Riverside Rex is clearly gong the right way and the Graham Holland trained son of Swords Rex is chosen to make all for the second week running to better Magical Fiona.
HITMAN TO STRIKE
The youngsters can set the tone for night with the opening two races on the card being the semi-finals of the Celtic Cooling Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Open Unraced.
As with any contest of this nature, many will improve on their debut efforts and much will come down to what gets a run early.
Of those in action in the opening semi-final, Group Gunboat was fastest with a 28.45 return. He got loose into the bend on that occasion but faces a tougher test this evening from trap three. Ballymac Hitman qualified to race in 28.21 but got no chance to show his pace last week, finding traffic on more than one occasion. Tonight, he lines out in the red jacket of one and could well take a bit of beating if starting on terms.
Of the others in the opening heat, Droopys Teaser is clearly worthy of respect. She stayed on well to win in 28.63 last week, while Anothercupoftea and Slippery Felix also give the impression they can step up on their opening round efforts.
SHELBY TO FIRE
Fastest opening round winner Roaming Shelby takes his place in the second heat.
He made all to win in 28.41 last week and will need another fast start from trap four. Ballymac Pacman displayed huge early speed last week and is the most likely pace-setter but he really did fade from the third bend.
He will need to stay on far better if he is to follow up. Freeway Bruce, Zenith Jet and Old Warrior also did enough in the opening round to suggest they could figure of putting their best foot forward but Roaming Shelby is the most likely winner. He is chosen to pick up Ballymac Pacman.