COL CONFIRMED FOR FESTIVAL AS PASHA RULED OUT

Ian Fortune

After picking up a third Category 1 in the Champion Stakes at Romford the weekend before last, Fortanach Col is set to be aimed at the Winter Racing Festival at Shelbourne Park at the end of the month.

Of course, the talented brindle was formerly known as Ballymac Tibet when campaigned on Irish shores and actually ran in the WRF Championship 575 last year, finishing fourth to Droopys Faithful. Now established as one of the best six bend performers in the UK for handler Kellie Wilton and lucky owners Gary Armstrong and Jen Dykes, he is to be aimed at the WRF Championship 750.

Last year’s race was actually won by British raider Droopys Flare, who is trained by Sean Parker and Kelly Wilton suggested she may ring Sean to get some advice. Said Wilton to the Racing Post, “We’ve talked about going to Dublin and it seems the obvious target.

“It’s something totally new for us and I will give Sean [Parker] a call for advice as he’s only down the road from us and obviously knows what you need to do.”

She went on, speaking of the 750yd trip, “It will be a stretch for him, but he likes a short run to the bend and hopefully he can get round near the front and run his race.

“He’s been round Shelbourne many times before joining us, but we will still probably look to get a trial for him.”

After capturing the Three Steps at Sheffield and the Monmore Gold Cup as well as the aforementioned Champion Stakes at Romford, one suspects selection won’t be a problem for the former Liam Dowling star and we look forward to welcoming to the home of greyhound racing.

PASHA TO MISS FESTIVAL

Sadly, another of the UK’s best over six bends, St Leger runner-up Zenith Pasha won’t be making the journey to Dublin after picking up a small injury over the weekend.

Speaking on their various social media channels, Zenith Racing confirmed that their talented tracker had picked up a small injury over the weekend and would be missing for four weeks.

One suspects, when he returns to full fitness, they may look to scratch their itch in 2027 and bring him back to Shelbourne Park at some point.