WEEKEND GREYHOUNDS: The focus turns to Shelbourne Park this weekend, live on SIS, where it’s the final of the 2026 Irish Oaks and also the final of the valuable Summer Cup.
Lennies Eddie lit up the greyhound world on Saturday night, landing the Star Sports & Orchestrate English Greyhound Derby and handing Paul Hennessy the unique distinction of winning three Derby titles at three different UK venues.
Irish supporters packed Towcester, creating an atmosphere more akin to Shelbourne Park as Lennies Eddie was roared home in front. Aware of the importance of a sharp start, the son of Good Cody and Portumna Marina produced the fastest break of his career when it mattered most, virtually making all to beat Ballymac Deniro and Ballymac Duffle.
Attention now switches to Shelbourne Park, which hosts a top-class card on Saturday night featuring the finals of the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks and the Shelbourne Summer Cup, along with the opening round of the Corn Cuchulainn.
Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks
🟥 Clan Sapphire
🟦 Lennies Ash
⬜ Rapido Ivy
⬛ Ballymac Kamala
🟧 Highview Carol
🔲 Ballymac Gwennie
Verdict: After a near miss in last weekend’s English Greyhound Derby final, Liam Dowling is doubly represented in the Irish Oaks decider with Ballymac Kamala and Ballymac Gwennie, while Paul Hennessy, winner of last weekend’s English Classic, saddles Lennies Ash. Kamala currently heads the betting around 7/4, with the well-drawn Clan Sapphire next in at 4/1.
Clan Sapphire, a daughter of 2021 Oaks and Derby champion Susie Sapphire, ran a cracker last week for Francie Murray when just caught close home by Ballymac Kamala. She will be looking to make all and, if breaking in her usual fashion, looks a very likely leader. Her best run came from this box in April when winning in 28:21.
Lennies Ash is a strong-running sort and looks well drawn. She is not expected to play a part early, but with Clan Sapphire likely to stride on and Rapido Ivy taking a middle course, she could find herself in a handy position at halfway. She finishes strongly and the kennel couldn’t be in better form.
Rapido Ivy was an impressive all-the-way winner of her semi last week for Peter and Mikey Cronin. She has had only four starts around Shelbourne and has yet to run a bad race. She needs to beat Clan Sapphire to the opening corner, and therein lies her chance.
Ballymac Kamala is likely to go off favourite. Liam Dowling’s powerful daughter of Droopys Sydney can break well but also possesses a huge finishing kick. The draw is far from ideal and her current price of 7/4 looks on the short side; she may well drift slightly on the night. Kamala has now won five on the spin and is clearly in top form, but her record of one win from seven from trap four is a slight concern.
Highview Carol represents Gerry Merriman, her dam Highview Moment was a Christmas Oaks finalist in 2021. Carol is another strong finisher and has yet to finish out of the first three in twelve career starts. Last week’s 28:33 run was her best to date and she will have her supporters at a price for her local trainer.
Ballymac Gwennie completes the line-up. A second runner for Liam Dowling, she has the best of the draw as the sole wide seed. She owns strong Shelbourne form, including a 28:23 win from this box last month. Such is the quality of the final she will need her best start to play a part, although crowding on the inside is a possibility.
The break will be crucial, and if Clan Sapphire repeats last week’s exit she should take plenty of catching. It would not surprise me to see Lennies Ash or Highview Carol hit the frame at big prices, but Clan Sapphire just gets the nod.
Shelbourne Summer Cup
🟥 Beautiful Paul
🟦 Newinn Spot
⬜ Carrick Becks
⬛ Shanahee Boomer
🟧 Coolemount Spy
🔲 Kilcolgan Eddie
Verdict: The €10,000-to-the-winner Shelbourne Summer Cup also features on Saturday night’s card. It has been a cracking competition from the outset and the Rob Gleeson-trained Carrick Becks looks set to go off favourite. Becks has won his last two starts in 28:09 and 28:12, showing fine early pace on both occasions.
Crucially, he is drawn on the inside of Shanahee Boomer, who can also fly to the corner and won his semi last week in 28:10. In truth, this looks a real minefield for punters. All four inside runners clocked identical 2:08 sectionals last week, and although Carrick Becks and Shanahee Boomer will be hitting top gear approaching the first bend, neither has much room for error.
Coolemount Spy and Kilcolgan Eddie will be finishing strongly from off the pace but both require luck. Beautiful Paul is far better than his form suggests and can fly to the corner; he is likely to edge off slightly on the run-up and may leave Newinn Spot short of room. Stakes kept to a minimum here, with Beautiful Paul put forward to outrun his big odds.
The supporting action also sees the opening round of the Donal Beatty Memorial Corn Cuchulainn. Glengar Silent and Ballymac Chantry look exciting recruits to the six-bend trip, with Chantry expected to improve for her latest run over the distance. Another to note is Highview Air, who has only one win from seventeen starts but should improve for the step up in trip.
All the best,
Barry.
