BRESBET EASTER CUP SUCCESS FOR SUPER TEDDY
Ian Fortune
Hopes Teddy displayed all his speed and class to emerge a deserving winner of the Bresbet Easter Cup on Saturday night at a packed Shelbourne Park.
In doing so, he handed his handler Pat Buckley a third success in the classic, following on from the victories of Droopys Noel in 2009 and Knocknaboul Syd in 2021.
Hopes Teddy has been nothing short of inspired since the turn of the year, winning five of his six starts in the most impression fashion. Here is a greyhound that reached the semi-finals of the Champion Open Unraced at Kilkenny last year but really began to make his name when winning the Michael Gyke OSullivan Memorial A1 at Limerick at the back end of 2024.
Even so, few could have expected what was to come in recent weeks. After winning a sprint in Dublin on his comeback run in late February, he would then step up in trip to win an Open 525 before targeting the Easter Cup.
Setting the standard in both the opening and second round, he was favourite for outright glory ahead of the semi-finals only to get picked up by Da Bold Falcon. There was no such problem in the final itself.
TEDDY THE 6-4 FAVOURITE
Ciaran O’Sullivan’s brilliant son of Confident Rankin and Dolls Lady came in for support in the ring and would go to traps the 6-4 favourite.
It was soon evident he was the right market leader. There was a pretty level start with both Randolph Scotts and Barefoot On Song breaking smartly from the middle, while Hopes Teddy also came away racing.
Within a matter of strides, Hopes Teddy was in front, showing electric early speed to lead into the corner. Da Bold Falcon was squeezed immediately and lost his position, while Hawkfield Blue was just behind the front three but would take a bump on the turn and lose his action soon after.
Tarnsa Maasai missed the start and was always struggling to get involved.
TEDDY FINDS HIMSELF IN CHARGE
Up front, Hopes Teddy held his line into the bend, forcing Barefoot On Song to check inside, while Randolph Scotts also lost ground. Suddenly, Hopes Teddy found himself clear.
Entering the back straight with over three lengths in hand, he would increase his advantage to four lengths at halfway. Meanwhile, Da Bold Falcon had run into the back end of the chasers and taken a tumble. It was now clear that Hopes Teddy was not going to be picked up. Randolph Scotts and Barefoot On Song did all they could to bridge the gap but Hopes Teddy was on a mission.
Maintaining a strong gallop to the line, Hopes Teddy would justify favouritism, land a first classic success and further cement his position as one of the best in training. Randolph Scotts stayed on well and would have been far closer had it not been for his opening bend bother but he would hold off the staying on Barefoot On Song by a half length. Tarsna Maasai was another two and a half lengths adrift in fourth, while Da Bold Falcon dusted himself down to finish a distance away in fifth.
TEDDY’S NIGHT
This night belonged to Hopes Teddy, however.
The hugely talented black would go on to cross the line two lengths clear in 29.61 on a track rated .20 fast. It is yet unknown where Hopes Teddy will go next but one suspects he will be a major player no matter the surroundings or opposition. Early pace is a potent weapon and few can match Hopes Teddy in that department.
Carl Perry head of Trading Bresbet presents the trophy to Ciaran O'Sullivan after Hopes Teddy won the final of the 2025 Bresbet Easter Cup. Also included are Emma Buckley daughter of trainer Pat Buckley, Pauline Buckley, Anthony and Conor O'Sullivan, Ann Shannon GRI, Dylan Brennan Shelbourne Park Racing Manager and Shane O'Gorman. Pic: Imelda Grauer
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A PRICELESS DISPLAY IN PLUNKETT DEVLIN 750
Priceless On Ice couldn’t have been any more impressive when racing clear of her rival in the closing stages in the manner of a bitch with a huge future over six bends.
Velvet Jenny took the field along, setting a strong gallop but she was never far enough clear.
Cayan lady gave chase but poised in behind her were Callaway Hybrid and Priceless On Ice, albeit well back. That changed as they entered the back straight for the second time. Callaway Hybrid began to close but so too did Priceless On Ice and she flew around the front three between the fifth and sixth bends.
It was a spectacular move and also a decisive one. Powering clear up the straight, she would eventually see off the staying on hot favourite Pennys Cailin by eight and a half lengths in a brilliant 41.36.
MAGIC MARTHA SMASHES 28
The best run of the night over the standard trip came from Glengar Martha as she smashed through the 28 second barrier, leaving a quality field chasing shadows in the sixth race, an Open Bitch 525.
Foot-perfect at traps, the Pat Buckley trained daughter of Droopys Sydney and Glengarbadminton was always in complete control when holding Grangeclare Lady into the bend.
Once turning in front, William Wood’s star never looked like relinquishing her lead and she kicked off the final turn to increase her advantage all the way to the line, eventually seeing off Grangeclare Lady by four and a half lengths in a magic 27.81 (.20 fast).
DOLLAR FLIES TO LEAD LATE
Untold Dollar opened his account for 2025 when storming home to pick up long-time leader Meenagh Minsk in the penultimate race on the card.
The latter is a real professional and shot from traps to set a searing gallop but there was always a couple within striking distance.
These included Untold Dollar, who turned third behind the leader and Cushie The Best. That changed down the back straight with Untold Dollar flying into the third turn to challenge in second. Forced to check his stride, the son of Newinn Taylor and Glenegat Mildred bumped Cushe The Best in the process leaving Meenagh Minsk to turn for home in command but Untold Dollar was soon back in full stride. Showing great determination, the Untold Racing Syndicate owned star got up late to beat Meenagh Minsk by a half length in 28.29 (.20 fast).
KNEGARE FORCED TO PULL OUT ALL THE STOPS
Callaway Knegare was a hot favourite to win the eighth race over the 600yd trip and he duly obliged but not before being forced to pull out all the stops to deny Crafty Bondi and Singalong Molly.
The last named went up fast from five and led the field around the turn but Callaway Knegare somehow managed to squeeze around in second, challenging off the second turn.
Singalong Molly wasn’t going to give way without a battle, however, and the pair would lock horns to the third turn. Crafty Bondi was now in full stride behind them and closing. In a wonderful finish, Callaway Knegare stayed on strongly to just get the better of Crafty Bondi and Singalong Molly by a neck and a short head in 32.32.
GLORIOUS RUN FROM LORD
Barry Clancy’s Glory Lord had some good clocks on his cared ahead of the A0 fifth race but he brought it to a new level on this occasion, shooting to the front in the early yards before going on to see off a talented field by an ever-widening margin in a stunning 28.03.
Cheque For Cash came through in the closing stages to pick up the returning Oaks champion Fleadh Saraide on the line for second but was all of six and a half lengths adrift of Glory Lord. ON this sort of form, Glory Lord will have to aimed at the biggest prizes.
PEP AND BERRITXU SHARE HONOURS IN FINALE
There was no tighter finish than in the finale with Javier Jarne’s Berritxu and Michael Pearson and Roy Ball’s La Pepinillo sharing the honours. This was a competitive contest with Darbys Dancer and Snowy April also playing a big part.
The Dave Bourke trained Berritxu and Darbys Dancer went up fastest with the latter moving to the front off the second turn. Her lead was short-lived, however. Berritxu joined her at halfway before taking a narrow lead into the third turn where he was joined by Snowy April.
The latter was left with no room and took a tumble, leaving Berritxu to dictate into the straight but the in-form La Pepinillo was now advancing fast.
In an incredible finish, the Michael Corr trained La Pepinillo joined Berritxu on the line. The pair both stopped the clock in 31.64.
AN IMPRESSIVE PIMPLE
Kereight Pimple has been hugely progressive in recent weeks and there seems to be no end to his improvement.
Aidan Denton’s powerful son of Broadstrand Bono and Right So Belle had won his two previous outings but was still allowed go off at 4-1.
His backers were soon happy in the knowledge that he was in the perfect position to strike, sitting a close second to the early leader and warm favourite Im An Exile. Closing on the leader to the third turn, Kereight Pimple moved on as they hit the final bend before easing clear to eventually see off the staying on Innfield Destiny by two lengths in 29.63.
GODDESS FLIES
Droopys Goddess (Malachi/ Droopys Charm) took flight in the A2 second race on the card, showing fine early speed to assert into the bend before entering the back straight with a decisive lead.
Aayamza Sonny emerged from the pack as the main threat but was never a threat to the leader. Owned by the Punch Drunk Four Syndicate, Droopys Goddess raced on to beat her rival by three lengths in 28.65, in turn initiating a superb double for her handler, Murt Leahy.
CLAN COMPLETES MURT’S DOUBLE
Cloverfield Clan would later complete a fine double for Murt Leahy, winning the fourth race, an A1 550, in pretty straightforward fashion.
Breaking fastest, the son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Saga would dominate from start to finish. Town Lucky moved second into the third turn but was never going to get to the pace-setter who went on to score for his lucky owners Gavin Nolan and Thomas Maher. Cloverfield Clan would hit the line three lengths clear in 29.63.
BLUE LEAVES IT LATE
Liam Kirley and Thomas Garry’s Glenlara Blue left it late in the opener but managed to get up in the final strides to deny long-time leader Razldazl Beau in a tremendous finish.
Moving second between the opening two bends, the son of Droopys Sydney and Glenlara Rosa eased closer with each stride after halfway before striking late to win by a half-length in 31.47.