Jamess Can Find His Treasure In Greenmount

A look at the quarters of this year’s Irish Cup ahead of the action in Limerick.

First Quarter
Jamess Treasure is an interesting one for me. He ticks all the right boxes, is a second season dog, hasn’t got much mileage on the clock all year and hasn’t been seen out since Christmas.

His style of running should suit Greenmount Park and this draw has worked out kind to him. I’d be expecting a huge run from this Declan Byrne-trained runner. He meets Reserve A from the Champion Stakes, Shanballa Joe.

He can prove to be a small but of a banana skin but Jamess should come through with flying colours.

Barefoot Marine did have his place booked in the Champion Stakes but connections decided to swerve that and concentrate on this Irish Cup. He has to be a player in this section on his early season running.

At the bottom of this quarter, the big question is how well Needham Yippee came out of the Derby. If all is ok then he is the one to pick from this section.

The course between Ashmore Rocket and Chicago Shuffle could be one of the closest of the round. These two are evenly matched but you would just have to side with Chicago on his running here from last year when known as Stonepark Mick.

Selection: Jamess Treasure
Danger: Needham Yippee

Second Quarter
On paper this looks to be the toughest quarter. Watchman was our biggest loser in the Derby on the Saturday morning but unfortunately for connections something caught his eye after 100 yards and he checked up badly. If you can forgive him for that run then by all means back him at 8/1. He must have improved leaps and bounds from Edenderry.

Last year’s Derby winner Reikers Island is also buried in this quarter and many can argue that we haven’t seen the best of him this season (his best run probably came in Urlingford) but his below par run in South Clare has to be a concern.

He has an easy assignment in the opening round. Half The Odds is a real speedster on his day, he could give Reikers a big run for his money if they happen to meet in round two.

Post Graduate is an interesting runner; he hasn’t ran since Cashel last season so it will be a huge ask for him to go all the way here. Wheres Mr Wilks only found form late on in the season. If coming on from his Mooncoin running he can upset a few.

The last course in the quarter sees a clash of the Kyle runners, Mozart and Alex. Champion Stakes winner Mozart has to have the upper hand on his kennel companion. Mozart seemed to relish the sticky conditions in Clonmel.

Selection: Reikers Island
Danger: Watchman

Third Quarter
The most open of the four quarters. Roquefort Teddy is the only runner in the quarter that is priced at single figures. After an early exit in the Derby in round one behind the winner Silent Wonder, he will be as fresh as a daisy. A real speedster on his day but you would be slightly concerned about him staying sound for six runs especially in the heavy going.

Ashmore Derby is well capable of putting in a few rounds at the top of this quarter. He reached the second round of the Derby going out behind Boyneside Swift. This form puts him in the quarter-final taking the draw into consideration. If Rosskeen Colonel rediscovers the form he showed in Carlow he can go with the best of them. His last two outings however are a slight concern.

Selection: Roquefort Teddy
Danger: Ashmore Derby

Fourth Quarter
This quarter revolves around last year’s winner Skellig Shane. Connections decided to have a go at the Champion Stakes but he failed to sparkle in Powerstown Park but we know he is way more comfortable on a flatter surface.

His form before Clonmel was every bit as good, if not better than last year, so if the two runs in the Champion Stakes didn’t take too much out of him, he will put up a fair fight to hold on to his title. He will have to be on his toes early against Ballinveala Yolo however, he can’t afford to give him much of an early lead.

You Amaze Me can lead the charge for the pups in this year’s Irish Cup.

He was a small bit of a surprise package in the Derby going out in the third round behind the runner-up, City Link. His style of running should suit Greenmount Park!

Domain King ran really well here last year where he was beaten in the Plate behind Octane Wonder. Yes he is a year older but his run behind Kyle Mozart in the first round of the Champion Stakes shows us he still running at the top of his game.

Selection: Domain King
Danger: You Amaze Me

We are going to give the verdict to Jamess Treasure. His running in the Kindom Cup isn’t too far off Skellig Shane and considering he isn’t drawn too tough he can go a long way. The conditions will more than likely be tough so it’s going to be a case of survival of the fittest!

Select Bitch Stake
The Select Bitch Stake looks wide open. You can make a case for plenty of runners in the field. Derramore Chick is the one for me. She has had very little luck all season. Her running in the Bitch Stake in Ballymena was top drawer and if things had went her way early in the year she would without doubt made the line-up for the Champion Bitch Stakes in Clonmel.

Finn Dancer was red hot favourite in the final of this last year but was over turned by Mother Of Pearl. If taking to the field again she can be a big player.

Killucan Rose reached the semi-final here last year after winning at Clonmel. She will be the freshest bitch coming into the Stake having been put away after winning her only outing of the year in Balbriggan. That could be a huge factor! We will stick with Derramore Chick however for the victory.

Betting is available on both aforementioned competitions as well as the Easter Cup which is currently underway at Shelbourne Park at the moment. Borna Gin just shades favouritism at 3/1 over the current Derby hero, Good News at 7/2, at the quarter final stage.