GREYHOUND PREVIEW: The final of the RPGTV Shelbourne 600 will be live on the channel this Saturday from Shelbourne with a strong supporting card. The best of the action is previewed. Towcester on Sunday continue their preparation for the upcoming English Greyhound Derby and will host twelve Derby Trial Stakes on Sunday afternoon.
Ed Impossible to Oppose in RPGTV 600 Final
Ballinabola Ed will go off as long odds-on favourite to take this weekends RPGTV sponsored 600 final at Shelbourne Park after last week’s impressive all the way victory. Pat Buckley’s superstar looks likely to lead on the run to the corner and if doing so its hard to see how the opposition can reel him back. Disco Pants in the red jacket is the one most likely to give him a run in the early yards of the contest but he has yet to race from trap one over the 600-yard trip at Shelbourne. Regulars to the track will know that it can be a tricky box to overcome first time out and he can ill afford to give Ed a start and a beating.
Allforthebest came from well off the pace to pick up Disco Pants in the shadows of the post last weekend and he is running as well as ever despite his advancing years, he could get first crack at the favourite but will need to be right on his tail as they hit halfway. McNeill ran a blinder to chase home Ballinabola Ed in their semi last weekend but its hard to see him turning the form around. Storys Cashout and Millridge Bryce will both need career best efforts to reach the frame.
It’s impossible to look past Ed, since winning at the Winter Racing Festival at Shelbourne last year his form has been rock solid. He is unbeaten in 2023 and deserves another big race success. Allforthebest is selected to chase him home with McNeill also put forward to outrun his big odds.
The RPGTV camera’s will be a Shelbourne this Saturday with a strong undercard accompanying the main event. Action gets underway at the Dublin venue from 19:20 with the feature due off at 20:50.
Shelbourne Undercard
As you would expect the Shelbourne undercard is brimming with talent. The first round of the Shelbourne Champion 550 will also feature on the card. Recent Kirby Memorial champion Clonbrien Treaty runs in the first heat from trap six. He has certainly improved his trapping in recent weeks, and you would imagine the switch to the outside box will be a plus. Karol Ramsbottom has a nice youngster in the race in the shape of Sober Glory, this youngster has won four of his seven starts and his recent trial was hugely encouraging. Bens Teddy will run from trap three and will be a danger if improving his starting. I will just side with Sober Glory to cause a mild surprise.
Belindas Finn goes in the second heat for the excellent Michael O Donovan, he was another to impress in a recent trial session and can get the better of Good Zeus and Storys Law.
Gaytime Hugo and Scaglietti both made the final of the recent Kirby and were a little unlucky in the final. Scaglietti has the draw, but Gaytime Hugo is capable of flying from the traps. Pape Di Oro was well supported last weekend but ran a little below par, much better can be expected of him. Gaytime Hugo just gets the nod to make all at the expense of Scaglietti and Pape Di Oro.
The sprinters are also in action on the night. Track record holder Gizmo Cash really excels around here and his record run of 18:28 last year will surely last for many years to come. He was beaten behind the supremely talented Flashing Willow and Cheque for Sir last time out, both reoppose again. Cheque For Sir is new to sprinting and has a good draw in one but it is hard to forget Gizmo Cash’s last victory here. He runs this place extremely well and just gets the nod.
Derby Trial Stakes at Towcester
The Derby Trial Stakes continue this weekend at Towcester. Swords Rex lines up in the first race on the Sunday afternoon slot and will be looking to put last week’s experience to beneficial use. Rex is one of the best Ireland has to offer and if trapping in his best style he will improve drastically on last weeks effort and should get favourite backers off to a winning start.
Rioja Joey impressed last weekend after a blistering start and looks the one to side with in race two where Antigua Big Syd will be his main danger.
The third race is a real cracker with Hopes Paddington taking on leading Irish Duo Mustang Jet and last years Champion Romeo Magico. Mustang Jet returned to action last weekend when winning an open 525 at Shelbourne Park, he is expected to improve on that effort but will need to. Magico has been running consistently well all year, he obviously like this place and was unlucky in defeat at Limerick last time behind Bobsleigh Dream. Hopes Paddington represents the home team and if starting on terms he could prove too good for his Irish rivals. I just give Hopes Paddington the nod in this heat.
Recent Waterford Select Stakes winner Clona Duke will be all the rage in race four. Last years RPGTV Juvenile Derby winner is running at the top of his game and is right up there in most ate post lists. It will be fascinating to see how he fares this weekend. Warzone Tom, Late Bolger, Havana Bale Out and Cashen Eliza are some of the other big names set to line up on Sunday afternoon and its sure to provide plenty of clues for the fast-approaching 2023 English Greyhound Derby.
Weekend’s Best Bets
Shelbourne Park Saturday
21:24 Belindas Finn Two Units Win
Towcester Sunday
14:52 Clona Duke One Unit Win
