INCREDIBLE START TO BRESBET EASTER CUP AT SHELBOURNE
Ian Fortune
Those that ventured to Shelbourne Park on Saturday night were served up a bit of everything in the opening round of the Bresbet Easter Cup.
There were exceptional performances, a couple of shock results, plenty of drama and a moment of real controversy.
In short, it left those present salivating for more when the oldest classic on the calendar continues next Saturday. Honour of going fastest was shared by Tarsna Maasai and Hopes Teddy with both showing their early speed and class to win the first two heats of the round.
MAASAI A WARRIOR
On paper, the line-up for the opening heat was a bit special and they certainly delivered with this one going right down to the wire.
Callaway Knegare was sent to traps the 2-1 favourite with De Lahdedah next in at 5-2 but it was Geoff Parnaby’s Tarsna Maasai, who was next in at 4-1, that did what was needed.
Showing the best early speed, the son of Droopys Sydney and Tarsna Rose got loose into the turn, to slip around in front of Randolph Scotts. The big two in the market encountered contrasting luck at this point with Callaway Knegare slipping through on the fence to move third, while De Lahdedah suffered crowding to find himself at the tail of the field entering the back.
Randolph Scotts closed on the leader into the third turn but Tarsna Maasai continued to move with purpose. Instead, Callaway Knegare was to emerge as the main threat. Closing in third, he made his move off the final bend.
Charging up the straight, he came between the front two to challenge on the line. Ultimately, the line came in time for Tarnsa Maasai to hold on for a short head verdict over Callaway Knegare in 29.46 with Randolph Scotts running a big race back in third, just three parts of a length adrift. De Lahdedah would eventually finishing fourth after showing massive back straight pace to recover from his early woes.
NO HOPE FOR TEDDY’S RIVALS
Hopes Teddy would match that clock fifteen minutes later, showing massive early speed to maintain his unbeaten start to 2025.
This was more than just an impressive display, it was also evidence that Hopes Teddy has the potential to be a true classic contender through the remainder of the year.
The brilliant son of Confident Rankin and Dolls Lady had already won over 350 and 525yds in recent weeks but this was his first outing over 550yds and he saw out every inch to see off some top-class trackers including the defending champion Clonbrien Treaty and Laurels runner-up Hazelhill Bucko, amongst others.
Hopes Teddy broke smartly from three, cutting towards the fence but it didn’t halt his momentum. Going to the front into the turn, he was never under a moment’s pressure with Clonbrien Treaty unlikely to pick him up in what was his first start since returning from injury.
The duo continued to race first and second into the third turn at which point Clonbrien Treaty began to show signs of fatigue. Hazelhill Bucko was now in full stride and came through for second but Ciaran O’Sullivan’s Hopes Teddy was clear and making a statement.
The Pat Buckley trained star would go on to beat an eye-catching Hazelhill Bucko by three lengths in 29.46. Clonbrien Treaty did plenty right in his comeback to finish just a neck away in third, while Jaytee Craze ran on well to take fourth and the final qualifying spot.
DRAMA AS BOB AND FEVER SHARE HONOURS
The tightest and most dramatic finish came in Heat 3 with Mustang Fever and Boylesports Bob crossing the line locked in battle.
The judge would fail to separate the pair but the real controversy came with the stewards declaring that the card of Boylesports Bob would be held subject to a clearance trial.
The drama began at the start with Mustang Fever flashing from trap five only to step right, into the path of Boylesports Bob. Riverside Scotch went up fast on the inside of the track to challenge with Mustang Fever into the turn. The pair were locked in battle for much of the way, although Boylesports Bob found a way to turn third after Cheque For Cash checked wide off the turn, bumping Carmac King.
It was race on. The front pair continued to battle it out for the lead with Sean Bourke and Paul Horig’s Mustang Fever driving the third turn to go on. Now Boylesports Bob was in full stride and closing fast. Moving second between the last two turns, John Boyle and Ned Murphy’s Boylesports Bob seemed the most likely scorer.
In a very close finish, came the moment that shocked many. Mustang Fever drifted off the last turn, forcing the Paul Hennessy trained Boylesports Bob to make his move up the inside of the leader. The pair got close and Boylesports Bob certainly took a glance at the leader but it was the briefest of moments. They didn’t seem to touch and just a stride or two later Boylesports Bob had his head down focused on the hare.
The pair were inseparable with both stopping the cock in 29.56. Riverside Scotch was just a length away in third while Carmac King was the fourth qualifier.
BRILLIANT BLUE FLIES
Hawkfield Blue was the easiest and most straightforward winner of the night when showing superb early speed to leave those in opposition chasing shadows.
The Ginger McGee trained son of Good News and Brownstown Tango was at his very best, going clear into the turn before easing further ahead to halfway.
Kilcolgan Whitney and Superfast Gorden emerged from the chasing pack but they were never within striking distance. Jerry Connors’ Hawkfield Blue would race on to beat KIlcolgan Whitney by seven and a half lengths in 29.51. Superfast Gorden was just a neck away in third with Aayamza Wizard taking fourth.
PRINCE REIGNS AGAIN
Seven days after claiming a fine success over Carmac King, Maireads Prince was again in top form, coming home clear in Heat 5 for Joe Horan and Fraser Black.
Hawkfield Abbie would go up fastest from two, challenged by Ventry Faith but both were in trouble when Maireads Prince moved up on their outer.
Driving the opening two bends, as he did the previous week, he moved upsides the pace-setter on the back straight before going to the front at the third turn. It was a decisive move with the son of Droopys Prince and Clona Skye easing on to cross the line two lengths clear in 29.57.
Ventry Faith would come through for second with Yorkie Ollie staying on strongly to take third another length and a half back. Hawkfield Abbie was the fourth qualifier.
RAZOR-SHARP CUSHIE AN EASY WINNER
Much like Hopes Teddy, Cushie The Best confirmed that he could be a big player in major competitions in 2025 when coming home clear in the final heat.
Early speed was the key to success with John Codd and Diana Brodie’s talented son of Allforthebest and Fatboyz Storm showing massive early speed to race into a commanding lead.
Untold Dollar gave chase but, in his first start of the year, he would tire in the closing stages. Instead, Da Bold Falcon would run on strongly to take second but this was all about Cushie The Best. The talented speedster would see out the 550yd trip to emerge a three and a half length winner in 29.53.
Da Bold Falcon was second with Barefoot On Song staying on well to take third, a further two lengths adrift. Untold Dollar may have run out of steam but he would qualify in fourth.
Supporting card
CHIC FLIES TO CONQUER
Malibu Chic is still getting to grips with Shelbourne Park but she displayed enough pace to claim a narrow success in the final of the Upcoming Events A1 NB 525.
(Pic right) Dylan Brennan Racing Manager Shelbourne Park presents the trophy to Paddy Butler and the De-Buitlear Syndicate after Malibu Chic won the Upcoming Events A1 525. Pic: Imelda Grauer
Highview Daniel went up fastest but failed to clear the turn.
Aayamza Sonny took advantage to enter the back straight in a clear lead but Malibu Chic overcame opening bend congestion to move second down the back straight. Powering into the third turn, the daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Coolavanny Chick challenged on the inside of the leader.
She checked her stride, however, to hand the initiative back to Highview Daniel but it was only short term. Powering up the straight, Malibu Chic began to bridge the gap on Aayamza Sonny, while Rathmoyle Gerry closed on the outside of the track. The trio crossed the line locked in battle but Malibu Chic had done enough to win by a head from Rathmoyle Gerry in 28.86. Aayamza Sonny was best of the remainder in third, just a short head away in third.
MINSK TOO HOT TO HANDLE
Meenagh Minsk produced a massive run over the standard trip to record a very quick 28.37 in the third race.
Lightning fast at traps, she was always in charge for Michael Corr and Josie Burns. The daughter of Broadstrand Bono and former Derby runner-up Meenagh Miracle entered the back straight almost four lengths clear and cruised home to eventually see off the staying on Riverside Popsie by three lengths.
AN IMPRESSIVE PIMPLE
Kereight Pimple produced a career best display to win the second race in fine style for Aidan Denton in a quick 28.58.
There was a line of dogs challenging into the turn but Kereight Pimple had just the better early speed to drive his way to the front from the outside box.
Once going to the front, he was always in charge. Costly Lesson did stay on well to come through for second but Kereight Pimple ran right to the line to win by three and a half lengths.
NO ERROR FROM MARGIN
Marginforerror was a tremendous winner of the A2 opener for Karol Ramsbottom, Stephen Murphy and Miles Anderton.
A powerfully built son of Burgess Bucks and Ballymac Notoyou, he is always better when he is given a bit of space and he made his own luck, going to the front on the run to the bend before dominating. Urban Flight came home well to give chase but Marginforerror would hit the line three and a half lengths clear in a quick 28.60.