BUNTY CAHILL MEMORIAL A2-A3 GETS UNDERWAY AT CURRAHEEN PARK

Barry Drake

BALLINTEMPLE BET, for Helen Cahalane, can get punters off to a flying start by winning the opener at Curraheen Park tonight.

The November puppy caught the eye on debut, running a big race in a hot contest. Out of luck with a tough draw next time out, this is easier, and the nap selection is expected to shed her maiden status on the third time of asking. She has shown enough in two starts to suggest she can win a race like this. Croydon Dottie, trained by Patrick Barrett for Michael Clark, is next best. The November puppy ran well on debut, and although below that since, if bouncing back, she should be in the mix throughout.

BUNTY CAHILL A2-A3 MEMORIAL

The opening round of the Bunty Cahill A2-A3 Memorial is expected to produce some big performances. In the opening heat, Conroy has leading claims for trainer John Linehan and owners the Mad Men Syndicate. The selection has two decent lines of form in the book, and he looks like a real player in this. The best is yet to come from the improving youngster, and with a decent start expected, he should go very close. Kilgraney North, for Thomas Buggy, has some smart form in the book, and he's another real player from the inside of the track. He can be hit or miss at the traps, but if he gets it right early, he will take plenty of beating.

Tinahue Pappone, for John Fox, has obvious claims in the third heat. The 16-time winner has some big runs around course and distance, and he looks well graded. That was an eye-catching trial last time out, and he should make a bold bid from the front in this. Daring Diamond, for James Maguire, will prove popular in the betting market. The big early pacer comes here in good form, and he should be in the mix throughout. A recent 28.75 winner around Waterford, he will go close on that running. 

Trainer Graham Holland can take the seventh race with Titanic Brads. In the ownership of James Campbell, the selection has a couple of big runs in the book. The step back up in distance will help tonight, and the selection looks capable of making every yard of the running from the rails pitch in this. Lennies Madge, for Paul Hennessy is next best. Owned by Lee Craze, connections can do little wrong at the moment, and this pacey lady has to be included. If producing one of her better starts, she will make them all go in this.

Drawn to perfection in race number eight, Ballyholly Bruno is selected to land the spoils for trainer Tom O'Neill and the Ashgrove Trio Syndicate. He brings strong form to the race, and that was a big trial run last time out, clocking a top-class 29.50 around the Derby trip at Curraheen Park. He goes best from the inside of the track, and the powerful running tracker should take plenty of beating in this. Gaytime Clyde, trained by Graham Holland for the O'Connells, clocked 28.17 two runs ago, and he's a huge player on that running. Out of luck next time out, if bouncing back, which looks likely, then he should give the selection plenty to think about. The long run to the corner will suit Gaytime Clyde, and he's a real player in this line-up. A big performance looks very likely in this.