WEEKEND GREYHOUNDS: Shelbourne Park is once again the focus this weekend with the semis of the Maiden Derby, Corn Cuchulainn and Open Unraced Stake all featuring live on SIS. In the UK its semi-final time of the Silver Salver at Central Park on Saturday evening. Barry Caul previews the action.
The terrific form of trainer Paul Hennessy continue over the weekend as he captured the Irish Oaks at Shelbourne Park with Lennies Ash a week on from Lennies Eddies Success in the English Derby final. Moments later Lennies Desire clocked a stunning 41:01 in the opening round of the Donal Beatty Memorial Corn Cuchulainn. The semi finals of which take place at Shelbourne Park this Saturday night along with the second round of the Maiden Derby. In the uk the semi finals of the Silver Salver take place at Central Park on Saturday evening. Lets take a look at the best of the action.
Shelbourne Park Saturday
Shelbourne Park will once again be broadcast live on SIS this Saturday evening where the semi finals of both the Maiden Derby and the Donal Beatty Memorial Corn Cuchulainn with feature on the card and will be supported by the valuable Celtic Cooling Refregaration and Air Conditioning Open Unraced Stake.
It’s safe to say the two semis of the Donal Beatty Corn Cuchulainn differ greatly is quality. The first semi final is by far the strongest with last week winners Lennies Desire Glengar Silent and Ballymac Chantry all clashing. On the clock Lennies Desire has a big advantage. He was flawless last week when flying from traps and poating one of the fastest times ever recorded for the trip. Personally I don’t feel trap one is an ideal launch pad but he must be respected especially when you take into account the current kennel form. Glengar Silent and Ballymac Chantry are lightly raced over the trip with Silent making an impressive debut over the sicx bends last week. He defitnetly gave the impression there was more to come and he will be my selection in a red hot contest. Ballymac Chantry is another who can step up on last weeks run and has a fine draw as the sole wide side but preference is just for the classy Glengar Silent.
The second semi can go the way of Highview Air. He race record is far from inspiring but she is very lightly raced over this trip and has shown big potential in a couple of starts. She could go off a decent price in this and is well worth keeping onside. Priceless On Ice ran well behind Glengar Silent last week and will be hard to keep out of the frame with Barntick Bucko another who should stripper for last weeks run but the vote goes to Highview Air.
Maiden Derby
Ballymac Malinas was a well backed favourite last weekend but could manage only third. He is probably the fastest maiden in training and his trial form is spectacular but he does need to replicate that in a race. You get the impression he will produce a big run off the front and he has a chance to do that this Saturday evening. Uncle Keith finished in front of the selection last time out and rates the main danger once again with Gaytime Tico likely to make the frame. Riverside Rex was the fastest of the opening round heats, that was only his second career win but he has kept top company in all his outings and can make all once again. Sleight Of Hand is a pacey greyhound and can follow the selection home.
The Celtic Cooling Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Open Unraced stake will also feature on the card. Ballymac Hitman impressed in qualifying and can improve greatly on his debut. He has a good draw to work from and can get the better of Group Gunboat. Graham Holland can dominate the second semi with Ballymac Pacman and Roaming Shelby with the latter chosen to come out on top.
Central Park Saturday
Three semis of the Silver Salver will take place at Central Park on Saturday evening. The opening heat looks wide open despite it being a five dog affair. Avarua Luke will likely go off favourite but its not straight forward. Luke impressed in defeat last week and will be popular. Raha Jayjay could be a thorn in the side of the favourite early. Jayjay has buckets of early speed and is likely to run a middle course on the run to the bend. Headford Cian ran well in defeat last week and you get the impression he can go far quicker. Cian gets the nod in the opening semi. Its impossible to oppose Shadow Storm in the second semi. He looked so good to the eye last week and the clock backed that up. A level start would be more than good enough and he should be impossible to beat. The same applies for Magical Luka in the last of the semis. Luka was one of the stars of 2025 and still boasts an incredible race record
All the best,
Barry.
