EXPECT FIREWORKS IN THE OPENING ROUND OF THE A1 KASKO DERBY

Barry Drake

The opening round of the €6,000 to winner A1 Kasko Derby kicks off at Curraheen Park tonight.

Noon Ballad, a previous 28.69 winner around course and distance, stands out in the closing heat for in-form trainer Kiernan Lynch. In the ownership of Eoin Ivers and Fintan Lawlor, this lady has been keeping some top company around here, and this is a nice drop in class. She has bundles of speed; however, she can be a bit hit or miss at the traps. With a decent start in this, it should take a strong performance to turn this powerful-running tracker over. A big run is very much expected.

Let Fly Missy, well drawn along the rails for trainer Johnny Linehan and owners Barry O'Driscoll and Michael Linehan, looks the certain early leader. She has some decent form in the book, but she will need to stay on stronger if she's to land the spoils in this.

The opening heat looks a wide-open contest, with a narrow vote going to Amarach Laoch for Nathan Brett and James Murphy. The selection is no stranger to big performances around here, but his recent form is a concern. This is a rare drop into A1 company, and he could well bounce out in front and make all the running. 

Ivo, for John O'Connor, caught the eye in the Derny Trial Stake last week, running a big race behind Sure Exile. On that running, he should be in the mix in this, and he's one to watch for sure.

Cill Dubh Cothal, trained by Michael Donnelly for Michael Bergin, is a very interesting runner in heat number three. The June '24 whelp ran in the big unraced in Kilkenny, breaking the 29-second barrier on debut. He has had a couple of really smart trials in recent times, and he looks like a big player for outright glory. He will more than likely improve for the comeback outing, but he's still the one to beat in this.

Happy Me, for Shane Murphy, delivered a couple of big runs in the hotly contested Lee Strand in the Kingdom recently. He has a lovely shot of early speed and the talented performer should be in the mix throughout.

Callaway Danny, trained by Owen McKeanna for Denis Murphy, has enough early pace to make all the running in heat three. The two-time winner has some big runs in the book, and that was a smart recent trial around Shelbourne Park. If getting it right early, he should be hard to beat. The David Byrne-trained Jacktavern Cool and the Paul Hennessy-trained Priceless On Ice are the obvious dangers.

Elsewhere on the card, Aghadown Delek can record back-to-back wins in the opener, the Laurels Restaurant ON2 final. The November puppy was a 28.99 winner on debut, and he gave the impression much more was to come. He looks like a bright prospect for the kennel of Niall Collins.