ALL SET FOR AN EASTER THRILLER AT SHELBOURNE
Ian Fortune
This year’s Bresbet Easter Cup has really delivered with exceptional racing, a number of shocks and a decider to savour.
The final of the oldest classic on the Irish calendar is the feature of a brilliant card at Shelbourne Park this evening and those connected to each of the six finalists will fancy their chances in what looks an intriguing contest.
Certainly, the €25,000 prize is likely to go to the greyhound that does everything right on the night and, even then, they may need a little luck. Sponsors Bresbet see Clona Duke as the one to beat with the brilliant tracker installed their 5-4 favourite, although his restrictive odds mean that some hugely talented trackers are available at bigger prices than they would normally be.
DUKE EYEING FURTHER CLASSIC GLORY
There is no doubt Clona Duke comes into tonight’s contest in tremendous form.
The only greyhound to win the Select Stakes on either side of the Irish Sea, he also tasted classic glory in 2022 when coming home in front in the Juvenile Classic.
On that occasion he was one of the outsiders of the field but, tonight, he is a worthy favourite. A comfortable trap to line winner of his semi-final, the Graham Holland trained star will look to repeat that performance.
The market also suggests he is drawn on the right side of what are perceived as the greatest dangers to the son of Malachi and, were he to turn in front, it would need something extraordinary from one of his rivals to deny him another big race success.
Drawn in two, Kevin O’Brien’s Clona Duke may edge to his right in the opening yards but will largely keep a true line and his best hope for success is an early advantage. If he does manage to secure it, he could well hand Graham Holland a fifth title and a second in two years after the victory of Swords Rex twelve months ago.
TREATY ALSO A BIG PLAYER
Of course, Clonbrien Treaty is also hoping to hand Graham Holland that fifth Easter Cup success.
One of the leading fancies for Greyhound of the Year after capturing both the Leger and Kirby Memorial in 2023, he has yet to produce his outstanding best at Shelbourne but did little wrong in a semi-final defeat.
Showing outstanding back straight pace, he actually headed Clona Duke at the third turn before staying wide off the final turn to relinquish his brief advantage. IN terms of pure pace, there are few that can match Clonbrien Treaty and he is another that would be a more than worthy winner.
The prospect of poor weather and a rain soddened track are a concern but there is no doubt Clonbrien Treaty represents real value and, with a fast start, could easily emerge as the biggest danger to Clona Duke.
FIDGET WITH A KIND DRAW
Susie Sapphire was the only female winner of the Easter Cup this century but there are three very fast females in the line-up attempting to emulate her this evening.
The Robert Gleeson trained Droopys Fidget is the biggest priced of these, although she boasts the best draw of any of the finalists on the fence.
With Clona Duke expected to edge off in the early yards, she could find herself with loads of room to maneouvre into the corner. She will need to come away racing but is undoubtedly fast enough to have a big say. She is already a category one winner in the UK and it would be no shock, despite her double figure odds in places, if she were to come home in front.
MAGIC MARTHA HAS CLAIMS
William Wood’s Glengar Martha lines out in five. She returned to something close to her brilliant best in the semis and is overpriced at the widely available 6-1 and certainly at the 13-2 available with the sponsors.
If she is to hand Pat Buckley a third victory in the classic, she must be at her sharpest in the early yards but it would be no shock if she were to come away racing and take charge into the bend. In that scenario, her rivals could soon find themselves chasing shadows.
UNDULATION HOPING TO CONTINUE SUPERB FORM
Undulation completes the female contingent and is the shortest priced of the trio after a massive run behind Clona Duka in the semi-finals.
She has returned from seasonal rest in exceptional form with last week’s defeat her first of 2024.
With a clear passage, one suspects Brendan Matthews’ star will be right in the mix, although her proximity to Clona Duke is a big concern. If the latter does move wide, as expected, at traps, Undulation may need to ride a bump. That could be enough to cost her a prominent position into the bend.
BOB NEEDS TO FIND A START
That leaves us with Boylesports Bob. Available at 8-1, he is amongst the very fastest in training but has yet to find consistency at traps.
Were he to start on terms, he would outrun his odds and Paul Hennessy will believe he has a live chance of landing a record eighth Easter Cup title.
Certainly, the son of Good News has a massive engine and the pace to challenge the very best in training and at big odds he won’t be shy of support.
A WONDERFUL LINE-UP
It really is a stellar line up. The fact that there are two inside, two middle and two wide seeds also adds to the contest with the draw pretty kind to almost every runner.
The best greyhound is likely to come out on top and that could well end up being Clona Duke.
Drawn on the right side of his main dangers, he is the most likely pace-setter and would take some catching if going around in front. That could make the difference and he is selected to lead home his kennel companion Clonbrien Treaty and Glengar Martha.
EXPECT STARS TO SHINE IN PUPPY OAKS
A high-class field will also be on show in the opening round of the Suncroft Festival Puppy Oaks. Towcester’s bet365 Puppy Oaks runner-up Deelish Nora is a very interesting runner for new handler Ginger McGee. If repeating her best UK form, she could emerge as the one to beat in her Irish debut in Heat 1.
DANICA TO SHINE
A second-round elimination from the Kirby Memorial at Limerick means Ballymac Danica has been rerouted to this competition.
If reproducing anything like her track record-breaking run in the opening round of the Limerick classic, she will come home alone in Heat 3.
Of her rivals, the razor sharp Fairy Footsteps looks a threat. One of the standout performers in the recent Brownstown Tango & NTSC Open Bitch Unraced 525 at Nwbridge, she will race prominently despite a tricky draw in five.
WRIGGLE AND BONDI CLASH TO DELIGHT
Droopys Wriggle won the aforementioned Brownstown Tango & NTSC Open Bitch Unraced and she renews rivalry with the runner-up Crafty Bondi in Heat 2.
Both are exceptionally talented and they look set to provide a thrilling spectacle.
LADY TO GET LOOSE
The final heat is perhaps the most open of the four but Kerogue Lady gets the nod.
A finalist in the Rural Kenels Open Unraced at Clonmel, she had shown terrific early speed in her previous outings and can assume control into the turn. Ballymac Wendy can emerge the main threat.