Stars set to light up Shelbourne in Winter Festival

WHEN the Night of Stars was introduced to the Irish calendar in 2012, it was hoped the end-of-year showpiece would be a success and remain a permanent fixture. Sadly, the Night of Stars is no more, but the RCÉ Winter Racing Festival is a ready replacement and tonight’s 13-race card is evidence that there remains huge interest in Shelbourne Park’s end of year gala.

So many stars names will light up the famous Ringsend venue this evening and the fact that it is being shown live on RPGTV means that those that can’t make the track can watch all the action from the comfort of their couch.

One man who is making the journey is English trainer Peter Harnden as he bids to send out a second winner at the Dublin venue. After scoring with Salacres Punch over the sprint trip on Derby final night a couple of years back, he will bid to win the RPGTVsponsored Open 750 with his dual category one winner Salacres Pippy.

After recent wins in the Hunt Cup at Towcester and Cesarewitch at Crayford, she will have plenty of support but may need to be at her very sharpest in a race that features the last two winners of Ireland’s premier staying event, the Corn Cuchulainn.

2020 winner Ballymac Kingdom and this year’s champion Priceless Jet are both blessed with stunning four-bend pace and, while they may be vulnerable in the closing yards, they are clearly big players. Throw in the hugely talented Bockos Brandy and promising Generous Angel and it’s a race to savour.

RPGTV also sponsors the Open Bitch 550 and it looks a tremendous contest with two of Ireland’s very best, Juvenile Derby champion Droopy Gloss and the brilliant Ballymac Ariel, going head to head.

It’s far from a two-dog affair with others including the promising Bockos Leah and the hugely consistent Tip Top Taylor respected, but it is difficult to see beyond the big two. Should both put their best foot forward, they could serve up a real thriller. The advantage of a recent outing may work in favour of Droopys Gloss.

The Droopys Stud Bitch 525 features BoyleSports Derby runner-up Singalong Sally and recent English Oaks winner Billys Diva. The pair head the market but need to be at their sharpest in a race packed with quality. So much will depend on the start but a stunning recent trial suggests Billys Diva is ready to produce her very best.

For many, the most exciting race of the night could be the Townview Kennels Open 600.

Ballymac Wild, Pierno and Russian Glory will bid to get loose early but, were they to hold each other up, none will be finishing faster than Beach Avenue and Allforthebest.

The make-up of the race means it could get tight in the closing yards. On the strength of the draw, Shelbourne 600 winner Ballymac Wild gets the nod but expect a close finish.

Two Amigos is the one to beat in the BoyleSports Open Sprint but that comes with a proviso that he must reproduce his best form. If failing to do so, the likes of Corbrack Prince, Ela Supremo and Off The Pitch will be waiting to pounce.

Part Blake is perhaps Graham Holland’s best chance of a winner in the nine championship races in the Open 550. He looked a superstar in the early rounds of the Leger at Limerick but the wheels came off somewhat in the semi and final.

With a clear passage in the opening yards he can make full use of his stunning early speed to get up the inside of Deadly Destroyer. Obviously, others including last weekend’s Leger hero Ballymac Merlin and

2020 English Derby champ Deerjet Sydney are respected.

The Open 525 could be decided in the early yards with so many of the competitors capable of flying starts. The inside duo Coom Leo and Droopys Good are particularly sharp but could well clash, which would leave the door open for one of the others.

With that in mind, Laurels hero One Time Only could be worth siding with. He has shown a real turn of early speed in previous outings and could have room to maneouvre in the opening strides with Ballymac Fairone unlikely to hit the ground running from trap four.

There is real quality on show in the greyhoundtrader.com 575 and it has the potential to serve up another incredible race. Swords Maestro, Jacob Tashadelek, All About Ted, Auxerre and 2020 Leger champion Epic Hero are all proven at the very top and claims can be made for each.

Crafty Kokoro completes the field and looks a special young talent but she may struggle to match her rivals on the long run to the turn which could prove her undoing. Instead, focus your attentions on finding the possible pacesetter.

All About Ted was last seen in the Derby decider and is clearly a big player but Jacob Tashadelek gets the nod on the strength of being drawn on the right side of that rival.

Were he to get first run on his rivals he would be difficult to peg back.

Dana Point will be the hottest favourite of the night in the towcester-racecourse.co.uk Open 1025 marathon and anything short of a comfortable success for the track record holder would come as a shock.

The remaining races on the card are also of the highest quality and Irish Derby finalist Jackslittlething looks the banker in the finale over 550yds.

Racing commences with the BoyleSports Puppy 525 and there will be plenty of interest in how the youngsters perform. Lenson Johnnyboy will be hard to beat if making a start but Epic Boy is one to keep an eye on from trap four.