THIRD TIME LUCKY FOR THE DUBLIN CUP

Ian Fortune

After two false starts due to the cold snap, the Dublin Cup will finally get underway at Shelbourne Park this evening.

While it is far from balmy in Dublin as we pen these words, it is certainly warm enough with a clear forecast to suggest racing will certainly go ahead.

Chatter about the Dublin Cup began towards the end of 2024 with plenty of shrewd handlers targeting the valuable competition that is confined to A2 greyhounds. Importantly, back-graders are allowed and, as you can imagine, it has made for some fascinating entries. The resulting action should be very intriguing.

Shelbourne Park’s entire eleven-race card is made up of opening round heats. Just three will progress from each heat, while the four fastest fourth place finishers will also enter the second-round draw after racing.

JETARA TO FLY

There are a number of that are likely to start at shorter prices including Jetara in Heat 2.

A half-brother to Susie Sapphire, he has long been a talented tracker and a stripes draw will really play to his strengths.

Blessed with fine early dash, he is the most likely pace-setter and can proceeded to make every yard at the expense of High Performer.

BIG SECRET TO DOMINATE

Sober Secret weighs in at a whopping 94lbs but he is light enough on his feet to race prominently in Heat 4 for Karol Ramsbottom.

If avoiding early crowding, he could quickly emerge as the one to beat. Droopys Hottie remains open to much improvement and can be seen as the main danger from an inside draw.

SKIDROW JOE TO IMPRESS

Heat 6 is perhaps the hottest contest of the round.

Most of those on show have raced in better company, while it’s one of the lesser exposed types that makes most appeal. Skidrow Joe has yet to finish in the first two but has moved with real purpose in recent sprint trials.

The Owen McKenna trained son of Ballymac Bolger is bred to be a star with his dam, Coolavanny Chick, a former English Derby finalist and plenty points to Skidrow Joe improving on previous four bend form.

Priceless On Ice and Ballybough Olwyn are both big finishers and can emerge as the main dangers but Skidrow Joe looks set to go fast.

HOUDINI CAN PRODUCE SOME MAGIC

Harry Houdini has been costly to follow but certainly has the ability to come home in front in Heat 9.

If brushing up his starting, he could certainly race prominently before asserting down the back straight.

Location is very strong and could emerge as a threat, while the well-housed Maximilian is also respected. One suspects Harry Houdini is ready to go considerably faster than in the past, however, and that could make the difference.

ROSE BACK IN ACTION

Many of the remaining heats are wide-open. Defending champion Hello Rose takes her chance in the final heat.

If he were to return to the sort of form that saw her capture the stake last year, she would quickly emerge as a big player.

Highview Coaster may take some stopping in said heat, however. A strong runner with a kind draw, she can turn prominently before making her move down the back straight.

PLENTY OF OPEN CONTESTS

Picking a winner in the remaining heats is no easy task.

A tentative nod goes to Daring Hoffa in the opening heat, Coolemount Dubh in Heat 3, Syrax in Heat 5, Coolemount Jake in Heat 7, Razldazl Kamaria in Heat 8 and Gallant Hunter in Heat 10.