BAR ONE RACING IRISH SPRINT CUP GETS UNDERWAY

Ian Fortune

While the stayers will take centre-stage at Shelbourne, the speedsters will be proving some fast and frenetic action at Dundalk as the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup gets underway.

There are eleven opening round heats in all and one would expect the 21 second barrier to be peppered by some of the very best in the business.

MOLLY CHOSEN TO SCORE

It comes as quite a surprise that despite her inexperience over sprint trips, Rathdown Molly has been installed the favourite with the sponsors.

She gets her campaign underway in the final heat of the round. She has been in superb form and is selected to come out on top but she can’t afford any mistakes with Ballymac Samuel and Chelms Skippy expected to run well also.

WILLOW FACING A TOUGH TEST

The feature race of the opening round comes in Heat 7 where Flashing Willow will be severely tested by his kennel companion Road Exile, Verratti and Hawkfield Ava.

Road Exile flashed from traps, posting a rapid 6.97 sectional, before going on to stop the clock in 20.91 on Wednesday night.

A similar run would see him go close but Flashing Willow is a very special sprinter and he is chosen to come out on top.

SYDNEY NEEDS TO BE SLICK

Galloping Sydney has long given the impression that he could make a serious sprinter and he can get proceedings off to a perfect start in the opening heat.

He takes on recent Produce Stakes champion Burgess Supreme who is also greatly respected, while others like Dryland Bruce and Carrick Aldo are improving all the time.

GET IT RIGHT TO GET IT RIGHT

The unbeaten Get It Right has shown exceptional pace and ability in his two starts to date.

He will be favourite to win Heat 2 where Jacktavern Bolt, Fogy Bottom and Rural Taylor can emerge as themain dangers.

CASH TO OBLIGE

Sprinter of the Year Gizmo Cash is the one to beat in Heat 4 where he takes on the talented veteran Corbrack Prince.

Fahan Rebel is another of note in this contest, while Pavilion Fir and Walkaway Syd can also play a part if putting their best foot forward.

PLENTY OF STARS ON SHOW

Others that get the nod in their respective heats include High Trend, Who Have I, Blackstone Bobby, Ballymac Pete, Angry Angel and Stefans Joker.

The action at Dundalk gets underway at 7.50pm, although the opening heat won’t be until 8.05pm.