GREYHOUND PREVIEW: The newly opened Dunstall Park stages its biggest night to date this Friday, hosting the finals of the PGR Oaks and ARC Scurry Cup. There’s also the Yvonne Barry Open 600 Final at Shelbourne Park and quarter-final action in the Irish Laurels from Cork. Barry looks at all the big races with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
Friday Finals at Dunstall Park
PGR Oaks Final 2025
🟥 Fabulous Aria
🟦 Bridefort Lady
⬜ Kilwest Diva
⬛ Raebella Bullet
🟧 Butlers Lane
🔲 Avongate Venus
Verdict:
Fabulous Aria has landed a dream draw on the rails and currently heads the market around 2/1. She was a determined semi-final winner last weekend, using the inside to full advantage in what was her best run of the competition. She beat Avongate Venus by a length and a half, though Venus met trouble in running, briefly checking mid-back straight before rallying strongly. Drawn six in the decider, Venus should be suited by this berth and has posted consistent sectionals throughoutshe looks set for another big run.
Venus is still seeking her first Dunstall Park win, but this could be the night. Butlers Lane is a major player, three from three at the track, she pings the lids and edges inwards early, which could cause traffic for those inside. Raebella Bullet has done little wrong, chasing home Droopys Kathleen in round one and performing admirably since. The 9/2 on offer looks fair value. Kilwest Diva, lightly raced and improving, will look to lead the inside runners and could make a bold bid. Bridefort Lady finishes well but can’t afford to give the front-runners too much rope.
It’s a wide-open final. The 2/1 about Fabulous Aria feels a shade short, and I’ll take a chance that Avongate Venus gets the run of the race out wide and finishes best.
ARC Scurry Gold Cup
🟥 Longacres Lad
🟦 Shadow Storm
⬜ Jazzy George
⬛ King Jackson
🟧 Rioja Oisin
🔲 Bockos Buster
Verdict:
I had the pleasure of watching Bockos Buster, formerly Ballymac Rapid at Shelbourne Park, and few greyhounds have impressed me more for early pace. He’s been running in top-class company and seems to be hitting peak form. His win over Shadow Storm last weekend was excellent, and I fancy him to follow up from trap six. The draw isn’t ideal, but Rioja Oisin should hold a middle line, giving Buster space to stride.
Jazzy George is lightning from the boxes and must be considered, while Longacres Lad was superb in collaring George last time and has the prime draw on the fence. Still, I’m very keen on Bockos Buster, currently around 7/1, which looks generous.
Best of luck to all connections.
Yvonne Barry Open 600 Shelbourne Park
🟥 De Lahdedah
🟦 Lookandlep
⬜ Borna Show
⬛ Ballinabola Joe
🟧 Coosane Pickles
🔲 Ballinabola Jim
Verdict:
This year’s renewal has been one of the strongest in memory, and the final promises to deliver. Ballinabola Joe has thrived since stepping up to 600 yards, posting the fastest times in both previous rounds. It’s his optimum trip, and he’ll look to dictate from the off. The one most likely to challenge him early is Lookandlep, who has finished runner-up on all three starts over this distance but has lost little in defeat. His 5.90 sectional on Derby final night shows what he’s capable of, and if he repeats that, he could lead up the inside runners.
Lookandlep appears to stay the trip slightly better than Ballinabola Joe, making the run to the bend crucial. De Lahdedah will look to sit close and strike late, having finished just a short head behind Joe in the semis. Coosane Pickles and Borna Show will be flying home from the third bend, with Pickles likely to challenge first. The veteran Ballinabola Jim is ideally drawn in six and can’t be dismissed.
At the prices, Lookandlep appeals as the value bet, capable of leading throughout with one of his better breaks.
Irish Laurels Quarter Finals (Cork)
We’re down to the quarter-final stage of the 2025 Irish Laurels at Curaheen Park, with three to qualify from each heat. Our ante-post pick Droopys Patriot heads the market at 3/1. He runs in the opener and looks well drawn. If he can master Faypoint Harvey to the bend, he should prove too strong.
Liam Dowling holds a strong hand in heat two, with exciting youngster Ballymac Setanta well housed in trap one and the pacey Solo And Go drawn in four. Preference is for Solo And Go to make all and just edge out his kennelmate.
Faypoint Ranger appears back to his brilliant best. The 2025 Kirby Memorial winner should justify short odds to get the better of the improving Ballymac Brandan, while the final heat can go to Magical On Fire, who’s been running well in defeat and can overcome the consistent Lemon Joey.
All the best,
Barry.
