POTENTIAL SUPERSTARS ON SHOW IN DUBLIN

Ian Fortune

With the likes of Magical Major, Getup The Boy, Glengar Silent, Ballymac Stud and Coloursaregreen graduating from the 2025Celtic Cooling Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Open Unraced at Shelbourne Park, there will be massive interest in the 2026 renewal which gets underway this evening and boasts a whopping €12,500 winner’s purse.

There are four opening round heats and each is packed with promising, well bred youngsters, some boasting some exceptional qualifying form. Obviously, in a competition of this nature, some educated guesses are needed ahead of the opening round but some jump off the page.

EDIT TO CLICK

The opening heat is an intriguing affair with all six competitors displaying ability in trials.

Fastest of the six over the standard trip is Razldazl Thelma with a 28.90 spin at Cork but others seem likely to go much faster including the well-bred Droopys Edit for Robert Gleeson.

A half brother to the likes of Droopys Flytline, Droopys Mandolin and Droopys Faithful amongst others, he is certain to improve on his latest 29.03 trial when noted missing the kick.

Graham Holland sends out an interesting runner in Roaming Shelby, while Anothercupoftea is also very promising and moved well in his latest trial at Derry.

HITMAN TO GUN DOWN RIVALS

Ballymac Hitman displayed huge ability in trials and will be a leading contender for Heat 2.

Liam Dowling’s son of Mcinerney and Ballymac Ariel flew behind his more experienced kennel companion Ballymac Laminas in his latest trial, clocking a rapid 28.21.

He is likely to be hard to beat, although many of his rivals including Ballymac Pacman, a half brother to Ballymac Setanta, looks a threat. He flew in his last two sprint trials and is clearly very talented.

ACCA TO IMPRESS ON DEBUT

Brendan Matthews and John Boyle have an exciting prospect in Boylesports Acca.

A son of Pestana, he recorded 28.31 in his latest trial, following on from an impressive 18.52 spring trial. If repeating that level of form from a kind draw on the fence he could emerge as the one to beat in Heat 3 but it would be unwise to ignore the claims of Old Warrior, Droopys Teaser and Kilbride King, all of which moved well in trials also.

BURROWS CLOVER LOOKS HOT

The final heat is another tremendous contest.

Burrows Clover is a brother to the aforementioned Boylesports Acca and moved as well in trials, clocking 28.34 last time out. He is clearly very talented and can quickly come to the fore. Freeway Bruce is also clearly very talented.

Representing the Tuono Charlie team, he posted 28.54 in his latest qualifying effort and could also emerge as a big player.

CLIFF DEVELOPING WITH EACH OUTING

There are plenty of other very talented trackers on show on the Shelbourne card with a couple of notable finals up for decision.

After a most impressive 28.25 return last week, Ballyhooly Cliff is seen as the one to beat in the final of the TIME Puppy Derby Starts Soon A1 NB 525.

From an ideal draw in the stripes, the Tom O’Neill trained son of Orchestrate can go up strongly and contest the early lead. Uncle Jim and Chickys Sally are obvious dangers but Ballyhooley Cliff is very progressive and can land the €2,000 prize.

JAMES POTENTIALLY VERY SPECIAL

The TIME Puppy Derby Starts In July AO NB 525 features some very promising youngsters but Wi Can James looked potentially very special in the semi-finals, showing all manner of pace to overcome early traffic to beat the very talented Kapuka Coley.

There was something in the way Wi Can James cut down his rival that left an impression he could develop into a classic contender and he will be hard to beat of he puts his best foot forward in the opening exchanges.

Kapuka Coley can improve for his Shelbourne debut but needs to be at his sharpest from five, while Comeon Me Girl, Maireads Susie, Crafty Moirai and Razldazl Loreal are all capable of getting involved. It’s a really hot contest but Wi Can James is a confident choice, which says something.

SHEBEEN CAN BE A FLYER

The semi-finals of the Barking Buzz A2 525 are the ninth and tenth races on the card and more promising types will be on show including fastest opening round scorer Shebeen Flyer.

The latter moved with real purpose from the second turn to win in 28.45 and there’s every chance he could go faster.