SOLO NEEDS TO GO EARLY TO LAND GOLD CUP
Ian Fortune
Some twenty-eight years have passed since Real Branch became the first greyhound to etch his name into Tote Gold Cup folklore, and the roll of honour that has been compiled since reads like a who’s who of the sport.
Joannestown Cash, Late Late Show, Clover Hare, Tyrur Ted, Mineola Farloe, Ballymac Anton, Skywalker Barry and many more. Truly star names that helped the Shelbourne Park showpiece shed any notion that February is not the time for top class performers to be on the track.
Twelve months ago, it was Seven Beach who took centre stage with a breathtaking display in the final confirming his standing as one of the country’s best. He went on to have a season that will live long in the memory, and his Gold Cup success was the moment it all began. He was sadly not back to defend his title, but on the evidence of the past three weekends, the standard of this year’s renewal is every bit as high.
CAN SOLO GO?
Solo And Go was the 4-1 ante-post favourite ahead of the opening round and were his backers told he would be in the final, they may have expected him to be a far shorter price for tonight’s decider but the draw has thrown the contest wide-open.
The Kingdom Derby and Winter Racing Festival Championship 525 winner has been handed the orange jacket of five and only a return to his fast-starting ways will suffice. With the fast-starting Swords Style in four and his own kennel companion Ballymac Siun in three, he must come through the bars to overcome the draw.
The bigger odds may attract a few punters but whether the factors that have led to his greater odds present an opportunity or a genuine concern for his supporters will become clear soon enough. One thing is certain, if coming away racing he does have the early speed to clear his rivals, albeit he may edge across to the fence if given room.
CROSSFIELD MATT A SERIOUS PLAYER IN RED
Crossfield Matt has been one of the outstanding performers throughout this competition and the Brendan O’Shea-trained star arrives in the final with serious claims.
He was hugely impressive in the opening round when clocking a standard-setting 28.15 and, while he perhaps didn’t show quite the same sparkle into the bend in the subsequent prelims, he still produced a performance full of merit in the semis, pushing Swords Style to within three-quarters of a length.
From trap one, an ideal draw for the powerful tracker, he can hold his position into the turn and has both the pace and strength to give his many backers hope. At 9-4, he is a fair price and deserves to be greatly respected.
COLOURSAREGREEN UNDERESTIMATED
Of all the finalists, perhaps none has been more underestimated than Coloursaregreen.
The Paul Hennessy-trained son of King Sheeran was available at 25-1 ahead of the competition but has qualified with little fuss.
He remains a greyhound full of promise but gave a clear warning last week that he is starting to find his feet at the highest level. Despite a less-than-ideal draw in four, he turned second to Swords Style before heading that rival at the third turn. He was pegged back close home by the same rival but it was still a performance of real note. From trap two this evening, there is again every chance he could turn close and his huge back straight speed could see him challenge. Available at 12-1 during the week, he looks greatly underestimated by the layers and those on the lookout for each-way value need search no further.
BALLYMAC SIUN IN BRILLIANT FORM
No greyhound comes into tonight’s final in better form than Ballymac Siun.
She was fastest in the second round and semi-finals and Liam Dolwing’s strong-running daughter will again look to lower the colours of her more fancied kennel companion Solo And Go.
She is a bitch that can fly from traps, power down the back straight and finishes with real purpose. From trap three she will have every chance of turning close enough to use her power to maximum effect and is very much respected. She is more than capable of handing Liam Dowling a third victory in the showpiece after the successes of Chespirito in 2018 and Ballymac Anton two years later.
STYLE A SERIOUS PLAYER
If any greyhound has done everything asked of him in recent weeks, it is Swords Style.
The Graham Hollandtrained son of Grangeview Ten is the only greyhound to go through the preliminary rounds unbeaten.
His record speaks for itself and should he produce another professional display, could quickly emerge a leading contender for Barbara Lowndes. Aside from his obvious talents, he also has the most wonderful attitude as proven by his semi-final victory.
Despite being headed into the third turn, he battled back on the run in to secure a memorable victory. If he were to get first run on his rivals, he would be very hard to reel in. Despite a tricky draw, his connections have every right to approach tonight’s final in confident mood.
BEAUTIFUL PAUL MUST SMASH AND GRAB
Beautiful Paul completes the field in the stripes and, while the Marie Gilberttrained star is likely to go to traps the rank outsider of the field, he has the early speed to play a big part in the contest.
He displayed tremendous early dash in the semi-final, leading into the bend before being overhauled close home by Ballymac Siun. On first look, the draw looks tricky as the widest of six inside seeds but it could actually be the key to his chance.
He has worn the stripes in the past having previously run as a wide seed, while Solo And Go in five will almost certainly seek out a rails pitch, leaving room for Beautiful Paul. If he is to cause an upset, it is likely to come in the form of a smash a grab.
SOLO AND GO MUST OVERCOME THE DRAW
This is a truly wonderful decider made even better by the draw, which has handed each of the six competitors hope.
Certainly, those who enjoy a betting heat are well catered for. The draw has produced a market considerably tighter than most anticipated, and with Crossfield Matt a genuine threat from one, Coloursaregreen looking a very big price from two and Ballymac Siun in ominous form from three, punters have been presented with a wealth of options.
Swords Style has been a model of consistency and is certain to attract plenty of support. From four he has an outstanding opportunity to make his mark on the early season showpiece but Solo And Go is the classiest greyhound in this field. Crucially, he looks ready to repeat his very best form.
After a slightly mistimed start in each of his last two outings, he is due a smash break and that could make all the difference. Despite the obvious danger of the draw, he is chosen to dominate to add his name to a Gold Cup roll of honour. Swords Style and Crossfield Matt are priced in to chase him home but expect Coloursaregreen to outrun his odds. The best of luck to all involved.
KATHLEEN TO RETURN
After a couple of false dawns, Droopys Kathleen is ready to return to racing action in the final race on the card.
In what will be her first start on Irish soil in 469 days, the 2024 Gourmet Island Puppy Oaks winner and 525yd track record holder will attract much of the attention.
A truly sensational talent when on song, it will be fascinating to see if she can repeat anything close to her best. If doing so, from an ideal draw on the fence, she could well return to winning ways.
This is far from a straightforward task, however, with the brilliant Bart Leahy Memorial winner Lennies Tank, the incredibly fast Ballydoyle Rossa and the really speedy duo of Droichead Nua and Ballymac Kamala to contend with. It would be great to see Droopys Kathleen win but lets just hope she comes off safe and sound and ready to contest her next intended target, the Shelbourne Park Bookmakers Easter Cup.