GREYHOUND PREVIEW: In this week’s preview we look at the final of the Corn Cuchulainn from Shelbourne Park on Saturday night, and good quality supporting card. At Towcester on Sunday afternoon it’s the quarter finals of the Juvenile Classic. All four heats previewed.
Big Weekend of Action on RPGTV
Once again, the RPGTV cameras will be in Ireland this weekend as Shelbourne Park stages the final of the Corn Cuchulainn. Won last year by eventual Derby finalist Crafty Kokoro, this year’s decider looks even better on paper. Unsurprisingly the unbeaten duo of Garfiney Blaze and Kinturk Road dominate the market. It’s safe to say the pair were no superstars over four bends but have really excelled since stepping up in trip. Kinturk Road posted a fastest of the competition 41:02 when making all to win her semi-final at the expense of Haka Carlo who ran a cracker in defeat. Unfortunately for supporters of Haka Carlo he has been handed the worst of the draw out in six and will need to come away racing.
Garfiney Blaze has also improved for the step up in trip and has a fine draw in red on Saturday night. Ballymac Katie is the strongest finisher in the race but will need the gaps to appear in the second half of the race while Newport Pier ran an absolute blinder last week at massive odds when just behind Garfiney Blaze.
That leaves us with the outsider, Hanover Phantom. Trained by Declan McDonagh for Leanne Fleming Phantom was the best of these over four bends. He holds the track record for the 550-yard trip in Galway and has some other stunning four bend form on his card. Hanover Phantom has yet to lead around over the distance but if he were to break smartly and lead, I imagine he would improve on his PB of 41:48. Available at 28/1 in some places Hanover Phantom is massively overpriced and could well shock a few come Saturday night.
On the supporting card, recent Limerick track record breaker Cree Jo Jo steps back up to four bends where his main danger looks to be the classy Clogheen Lass. They go head-to-head in race three on the card due off at 19:47.
Twoinarow and Boylesports Vic clash in the fifth race over the derby trip. The presence of Romeo Hotshot and Swords Fudge add to the contest. Slight preference is just for Boylesports Vic from trap five.
That’s followed by an exciting puppy event, once again over the derby trip. This race will certainly throw up a few clues for the upcoming derby starting in just two weeks’ time. Clonbrien Treaty was impressive last weekend and will be hard to beat in race eight, while the return of the exciting Droopys Got It in race ten will have many interested onlookers.
The action kicks of from Shelbourne Park at 19:20 and all races are live on RPGTV.
Towcester Sunday
The quarter finals of the Juvenile Classic are the feature on Towcester’s Sunday afternoon card starring some of the UK’s most promising youngsters. The first Quarter is due of at 14:32 and should go the way of Droopys Reserve. An impressive all the way winner last time out the son of Dorotas Wildcat will score again here with a repeat performance. Coppice Kaiser may well improve on last weeks effort and rates the main danger.
Wrighty caused a shock when making just about all to score at the track last weekend. He will need to do everything right this weekend if he is to lead up Beatties Electra in trap three. Electra is a daughter of Good Cody (a sire I think will be a huge success at stud) and made an impressive racing debut last weekend. She is expected to improve on that and if doing so is impossible oppose.
The third quarter looks the most competitive on paper with Ackerman (T2) Droopys Clue (3) and Ballymac John (4) all expected to have their supporters. Ballymac John has been a little disappointing since his big run in the early rounds of the Derby. Since then, he has been beaten at 5/6, 4/9 and 4/11. There is no doubting his ability but he’s not for me. Ackerman looks to be the one, he can make most of the draw and hold off Droopys Clue and Ballymac John to the opening turn, and once leading he should prove too strong.
New Destiny is as short as 6/4 with some firms to win the competition outright and she will be long odds on to take the last heat. Runner up in the match race behind Maree Champion on Derby final night she looks a cut above her rivals in this heat. Bombay Zero will improve on last weeks run but needs to find plenty of improvement to trouble the classy bitch in red.
Weekend’s Best Bets:
Shelbourne Park Saturday
21:08
Hanover Phantom. 1 unit E/W @28/1
Towcester Sunday
Juvenile Classic
Bombay Zero. 1-unit E/W @33/1 Outright
