REAL JEOPARDY IN BAR 1 BETTING IRISH SPRINT CUP QUARTERS
Ian Fortune
The field will be halved for the penultimate time in the Bar 1 Betting Irish Sprint Cup this evening with 24 becoming 12.
The sprint classic has provided some superb action already and the added sense of jeopardy in tonight’s quarter finals should add further to the spectacle.
SECRET CAN OVERCOME TOUGH TEST
Fastest winner last weekend was Montana Secret as he clocked a rapid 20.89 and the reward for his efforts is an ideal draw on the fence in Heat 3.
His task is far from easy, however, with many of his rivals possessing top class pace and the ability to go fast.
These include Born Ranger, Southwind Storm and Crafty Coolio. Born Ranger has twice caught the eye in defeat in the early rounds and is set to go very fast of finding his trapping boots. Crafty Coolio has really taken to Dundalk and the youngster has a perfect draw in the stripes to mount a bold bid.
Southwind Wild will need to be at his sharpest from three but ran a big race behind Montana Secret last week and could get even closer should the likely favourite make any mistakes. That said, Montana Secret remains the one to beat. Given his inexperience over two bends, he is entitled to improve further and that is a concern for his rivals. Should he start on terms from his favourable pitch, he can quickly come to the fore before running out a ready winner over Born Ranger and Crafty Coolio.
DREAM TO CONTINUE SUPERB RUN OF FORM
Tiermana Dream has also been purring in recent times.
The Treaty Cup winner has won both his Dundalk assignments in 20.96 and a repeat of that level of that form would probably suffice in Heat 2. Each of his rivals are useful but it’s questionable whether any could match Tiermana Dream into the bend.
Firstpastthepost is the possible exception. He missed the start and found traffic in each of his last two starts, only to show big pace to recover and safely progress. With a better start from trap two this evening, he could quickly emerge as a threat to Tiermana Dream. Others with hopes of making the frame include Anothercupoftea and Velvet Samba but both will need to be at their very best to lower the colours of Tiermana Dream, who is selected to dominate once again.
NINA JUST GETS CALL OVER SHADOW
The opening heat is a fascinating affair.
Bomber Nina has obvious claims after impressing last weekend, holding off the aforementioned Crafty Coolio by a short head in a quick 21.08. A repeat pof that form would see her go close.
Rallying Billy has also gone quick in recent defeats but needs to be hit the ground running from five, while Yurty Magurty and Minstrel Rocket both pace up well but whether they can match Bomber Nina for pure speed has yet to be seen.
Instead, Shadow Oftherock is chosen as the main threat to Bomber Nina. He went into the notebook last week, showing real pace, despite traffic on the turn, to finish third behind The Other Wild. Expect him to get involved but Bomber Nina just gets the call.
WILD AND SPLENDID TO LOCK HORNS
The final heat sees Looking Splendid and the Other Wild go toe to toe.
The pair both won their second round assignments in 21.05 and look well matched. Droopys Apollo is very capable of producing his best but has been short of that standard in recent runs at Dundalk.
Tiermana Hunter always seems to find a way to make the frame and is sure to finish well, while Fantasy Adam is discounted after looking somewhat lost on the turn last weekend.
Instead, The Other Wild gets the nomination. A classy tracker who is sure to benefit from recent runs, he has the pace and class to make another bold bid. Looking Splendid has tremendous early speed and is a worthy adversary. The potential is there for the duo to race side by side for much of this contest.