Clonbrien Treaty doesn’t produce his best around Shelbourne Park; that was the perceived view ahead of the Bresbet Easter Cup before the sensational home-bred son of Pestana and Clonbrien Millie produced a scintillating display of early speed to leave a top class field in his dust in the final of the Bresbet Easter Cup at the famous Ringsend venue on Saturday night.

If you pressed paused fifty yards into the contest, all six greyhounds were within a length of each other with Droopys Fidget, Undulation, Glengar Martha and Clonbrien treaty virtually in a line.

To highlight the fact, their sectionals of the first four were identical with each clocking 3.54.

But from this point into the turn, none of the remaining five could live with Clonbrien Treaty. Showing incredible acceleration into the bend, the Graham Holland trained star was clear of those on his inner. He was able to increase his lead as Glengar Martha attempted to cut the bend, holding up many of those on the inside of the track.

In a matter of strides, Clonbrien Treaty had shot into a decisive lead.

Somehow Clona Duke drove his way into second on the opening bend to take up the chase but his efforts would prove futile. There was no stopping Clonbrien Treaty.

The Leger and Kirby Memorial champ was on his way to a third classic success. Clona Duke did all he could to close the gap but destiny was awaiting Clonbrien Treaty. Owners Jim and Muireann Murphy would have little to worry about as their flying blue powered to the line to beat his kennel companion and market leader Clona Duke by two lengths in 29.77. Droopys Fidget ran a fine race just a length adrift in third.

This felt different from Clonbrien Treaty. It felt like a more mature display.

The manner in which he put his rivals to the sword into the opening bend was a sight to behold and perhaps a sign that he has finally become the finished article.

That will be a concern for his rivals going forward, where ever he turns up. He now has a hat trick of classic victories and on this latest evidence he may not be finished. Foer trainer Graham Holland it was another special night as he captured his fifth Easter Cup crown.

He also trained the runner-up Clona Duke. A slightly missed start would ultimately cost the dual Select Stakes winner but the attitude he displayed to drive his way through into second on the opening corner suggests he too has big prizes in his sights going forward.

Hopefully we will see the kennel companions meet many more times in the coming year. Now that is something to look forward to.

Report from Ian Fortune.