Honey Delivers The Sweet Stuff In Easter Cup

Ballydoyle Honey stole the show in HQ yet again last Saturday night with a sparkling display in the second round of the Easter Cup.

You Can’t Keep A Good Thing Down
Over the past couple of weeks there has been plenty of critics having a pop at this superstar, but I have no doubt that they have gone back into hiding after that performance.

Honey ran from trap six in the first quarter final in what was only a five dog race after the withdrawal of Vivaro Swift (due to run from trap five). As the lids opened she trapped level with the early pacer Jaytee Valencia in trap one so it was race on to the corner. This was the first time in a while that we saw Honey strut her stuff to the corner, as she got the first turn off Jaytee.

Once she turned in front it was race over and she absolutely flew down the back straight going further and further clear with every stride.

At the line, there was eight lengths between herself and Leave At Dawn, who nabbed second place off Jaytee Valencia on the line in an ultrafast 29.34.

Jaytee Jet was subject to a bit of an ante-post gamble during the week from 5/1 into 7/2 and gave his supporters little to worry about in the second heat. It was only a four dog race where he ran from trap four with a vacant box either side. Looking at the still at trap rise, Jet was marginally slowest into stride but his early pace carried him to the front before the first turn.

Peregrine Falcon was on his inside and seemed to negotiate the opening turns better which put him in front off the second bend. Jet had a lovely racing line down the far side and was chipping away into Falcon’s lead all the way before sweeping to the front at the third bend and going on to win by four and a half lengths in 29.44. This lad looks to be staying on stronger and stronger every week, and my opinion is that he will be a force to be reckoned with in this year’s English Derby no matter what the outcome in this competition.

Fred Not So Slippery
Normally when you see Slippery Fred drawn in trap five you mightn’t give him much of a chance, but at the moment this dog is in the form of his life. I’d say you could stick him in trap eight in Towcester and he would still pop out and win! Fred burst out in front and moved across gradually to the rails causing Lenson Sanchez to check up.

Once he got on the fence he was in his glory as he has the ability to steal a length or two by keeping in so tight.

He coasted home five lengths clear of Lenson Sanchez in second and Faypoint Rush who ran a gallant race in third.

Can he do the Gold Cup and Easter Cup double? The way he is running I wouldn’t bet against it.

Vega Impressive
Although Sidarian Vega was the slowest of the quarter final winners, you couldn’t but be impressed with his style of victory. Vega was slowly into stride but went through the gears very quick and showed some serious guts to get through a wall of dogs at the first bend.

There is no doubt he has matured a tonne since last season. Just like Slippery Fred, Vega depends on the rail a fair bit and once he gets on it he’s a different animal. He led home a Graham Holland-trained one-two in the heat as last year’s St Leger winner Skywalker Rory chased him home in second with Only For Life back in third.

Semi-Finals
Looking at the draw for next week’s semi-finals, nearly all the dogs are drawn well with the exception of Sidarian Vega. There are two red hot semi-finals and either of which would be fit for a fantastic final. The Honey will have it all to do to lead up in the opening heat as there is serious early on her inside.

Slippery Fred, Peregrine Falcon, Jaytee Valencia and Sidarian Vega are all capable of setting a scorching gallop so something is going to have to give. This could set the race up for Honey on the outside if she can turn within touching distance. The second semi can go the way of the well-drawn Jaytee Jet in six. Paul Hennessy’s runner is improving from week to week and it would be no surprise to see him lead up on the outside. Both Honey and Jet are massive losers in the ante-post book so it could be safe to say that BoyleSports won’t be winning in this year’s Easter Cup.

Round-Up
And finally, looking back at last week’s action, Escapism ran out an impressive winner of the GMHD unraced stake in Tralee. This Owen McKenna-trained runner is now only a 33/1 shot for this year’s BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby. Reports suggest that the son of Paradise Madison will skip the Con and Annie Kirby puppy in Limerick and go straight to Shelbourne Park. McKenna has said we won’t see the finished article until he steps up to 550 yards in Shelbourne Park. This has to be a tip in itself!

With Cheltenham less than a week away, keep up to date with all the latest ante-post markets for all twenty eight races run over four amazing days. We have a fantastic special available throughout the week, it’s money back as a free bet if the horse you back finishes 2nd or 3rd to the SP favourite in ANY race at Cheltenham. Check out this and all other specials on www.boylesports.com throughout the week. BRING IT ON! #BetOnBoyle

*Prices correct at time of publication