FINE DISPLAYS IN DUBLIN CUP AS LUNA SETS STANDARD
Ian Fortune
Somewhat predictably, many of those in action at Shelbourne Park in Saturday’s opening round of the Dublin Cup will be plying their trade in higher grades in the future after a number of fine displays.
The undoubted star of the opening round was Bounceback Luna as she posted a stunning 28.37 when winning Heat 5 by a wide margin.
LUNA SHINES BRIGHT
Bounceback Luna backers were happy from the outset with the daughter of Grangeview Ten and Mystical Luna flashing from theinside box to set the pace.
It wasthe first time in her short career that she has dictated the speed into the turn and she made full use of her advantage.
Anthony Kehoe’s flying bitch held off the challenge of KanturkClon to the third turn before powering home to emerge a five and a half-length scorer. It was the third win of her career but certainly won’t be her last. Kanturk Clon was second with Telex Hoffa a further five lengths adrift in third.
FIRST PASSES POST IN FRONT
The aptly named Firstpastthepost impressed in Heat 3 for Josie Burns and Paul Matthews.
The son of Good Cody and Portumna Marina boasts some decent sprint form so it was no surprise to see him showing fine early speed after a moderate start to assert on the corner.
Once going to the front, he was never under any pressure. Gunner Bun chased hard throughout but Firstpastthepost stayed on well to secure a three length verdict in 28.71. Rearin N Tearin was best of the remainder in third.
MAXIMUS IN CONTROL
Next fastest was Mutts Maximus.
After coming in as a reserve, the Shaun Conway trained son of Grangeview Ten and Glory Razl was at his very sharpest and proceeded to make every inch after a flying exit from two.
Owned jointly by Ann and Declan Johnson, Matts Maximus was always in complete control as he cruised home three lengths clear of Daring Danny in 28.63. Foulkscourt Cody was third.
PEARL SHINES FOR OLLIE
The opening heat of the Dublin Cup saw Ollie Bray send out Sunshine Pearl to emerge a comfortable winner, in turn initiating a double for her owner.
Duffin Dermy set a strong pace after a fast start from the inside box but was always stalked by Sunshine Pearl.
Making her move at the third turn, the daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Slippery Diva moved past the early leader before driving clear. Maintaining a strong gallop to the line, Sunshine Pearl went on to hit the line seven lengths clear of Zaconey Adonis in 28.79. A tiring Duffin Derny was third.
WORD COMPLETES A BRAY DOUBLE
Ollie Bray completed his double in the final heat, sending out Notawordsaid to win by six and a half lengths in 28.68.
Atouchofmagic was fastest into stride but had no answer to the early speed of Notawordsaid.
Showing superb early dash, the son of Ballymac Cashout and Slippery Diva was soon in control. Dots Choice initially took up the pursuit but he would tire in the latter stages. Instead, Atouchofmagic stayed on to grab second but Notawordsaid was in a different league.
Owned by the Fancy Your Chances Syndicate, the October ’23 whelp emerged a facile six and a half length winner in 28.68. Atouchofmagic was second with Dalakhani another two lengths back in third.
DYNASTY OPENS HER ACCOUNT
Highview Dynasty finally opened her account at the ninth time of asking when powering her way to the front around the last two bends in Heat 7.
Trained by Gerry Merriman for his mother Dolores, the daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Highview Mission was third in the early exchanges behind the fast-starting Hazelhill Marty.
Showing fine pace down the back straight, Highview Dynasty soon moved second behind the leader before quickly starting to close the gap. Moving through on the inside of the leader off the final turn, Highview Dynasty went on to win by a length from the staying on Brickhill Sky in 28.73. Hazelhill Marty was another two lengths adrift in third.
BUCKO JUSTIFIES SHORT ODDS
Shortest favourite of the night was Silverhill Bucko in Heat 6.
A 2-5 chance with the layers ahead of trap rise, he had to work a little harder than his odds suggested would be the case. Badminton Treay broke smartly to lead early but Silverhill Bucko powered up the fence to lead into the bend.
He looked a little lost as they turned, allowing Badminton Treaty to challenge entering the back. However, Silverhill Bucko was soon back in front for Eugene Buckley and Graham Holland. Showing good pace to halfway, he edged on but was all out to contain the rallying Badminton Treaty by a length in 28.95.
FERN BLOOMS
Jerry Melia’s Miss Fern won the second heat in good style, coming through to lead from the third turn. Daithis Millie shot from traps to lead early but seem to stumble slightly as they entered the back straight.
That slioght loss of momentum coast her as Miss Fern advanced to slip up her inside at the third turn. The daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Midas Fern went on to beat Nina Miracle by three lengths in 28.95. Daithis Millie was third.
SNAZZY THE FIRST WINNER OF THE SHELBOURNE YEAR
Snazzy Jill may have been off the pace in the early yards, but she flew home to win the first race of 2026 at Shelbourne Park at the expense of long-time pace-setter Salome.
The latter made much of the runninng but was under pressure from Greenhall Wigwam off the final turn only for Snazzy Jill to arrive late and fast to deny both. Denis O’Donohoe’s daughter of Kinloch Brae and Holywell Samba led late to win by three parts of a length in 29.34.
BENNY ENDS NIGHT IN STYLE
Racing ended with Breffni Benny (Pestana/ Breffni Comet) emerging on top for Seamus Reilly.
Prominent into the bend, he made the most of an ideal draw on the fence to force his way to the front. Bluetimer gave chase and threatened on a couple of occasions but Breffni Benny kept finding to hold of his rival by a half length in 29.11.