GREYHOUND PREVIEW: Barry previews the Puppy Derby Final from Monmore on Saturday and also lookz at the six opening round heats of the Easter Cup from Shelbourne Park also on Saturday all with BETDAQ recommendations.
Cracking action ahead this Saturday night on both sides on the Irish Sea. At Monmore it’s the final of the Puppy Derby while over at Shelbourne one of the oldest Classics on the calendar gets underway as thirty-six do battle in the Easter Cup opening round.
Puppy Derby Final at Monmore
🟥 Rackethall Brute
🟦 Headford Dane
⬜ Arthur Job
⬛ Ballymac Kobe
🟧 Balinakill Liam
🔲 Swift Bullseye
Verdict: Rackethall Brute has been paw perfect in the last couple of weeks and the son of Confident Rankin has been handed a perfect draw from which to operate this Saturday night. Brute had only won one of his first twelve starts but has really blossomed around here in recent weeks. His 28:02 semifinal win sets the standard and if repeating that sort of run he will be impossible to beat. Fans of Brute will know he must come from off the pace if he is to win and that may not be easily done, the 4/6 currently on offer does look on the skinny side. The lightly raced Headford Dane may be the value option. He overcame trouble in running when winning last time out and has a good chance to lead up the inside runners. Dane is unbeaten in his short career to date and will be the one I side with in the final. Swift Bullseye ran well in the Northern Puppy Derby final and continues to hold his form well, he is not without a chance. Bullseye is one of three dogs in the final by Coolavanny Hoffa, certainly a good start to his stud career. Balinakill Liam and Arthur Job will need luck, but both are nice sorts going forward. The final runner is Ballymac Kobe. Kobe has shown good form around here both in races and in trials, for me he rates the main danger to Headford Dane, but I don’t think he can come from behind that improving rival. It’s a cracking final and the future is bright for all six finalists. I will just side with Headford Dane to see off Ballymac Kobe and Rackethall Brute.
Easter Cup at Shelbourne Park
The first Classic of the year at Shelbourne Park gets underway this Saturday evening when thirty-six hopefuls will line up at the famous Dublin Venue. The opening heat is an absolute belter. Last year’s English Derby winner De Lahdedah returns to action. Liam Dowling’s superstar has impressed in his recent trial runs and must enter calculations. Coosane Pickles has been running well for the last couple of weeks and has a fitness edge over some of her rivals. She was caught close home last weekend by Boylesports Bob and is another with a huge chance in here. Randolph Scotts and Tarsna Masai have ideal boxes in one and six respectively and they look to be the most likely leaders. Tarsna Masai is having his first run of the year while Scotts takes a big leap up in grade after winning impressively last Saturday night. The final runner in Swords Don who also makes his seasonal reappearance. Don displayed good form at the back end of last year and will have big targets ahead over the coming months. So, what wins? Its an imcredible race to kick start the Easter Cup, if forced into a selection I think Randolph Scotts could put his race fitness and good draw to use on the inside, but it’s certainly stakes to a minimum and sit back and enjoy this one.
Four-time classic winner and defending champion Clonbrien Treaty kicks off his 2025 campaign in heat two. The former Kirby memorial and two-time Leger winner has moved well in his recent trials and is sure to be thereabouts. Hopes Teddy hugely impressed me when he won a 525 contest around the track a couple of weeks back. Pat Buckleys charge has stunning early pace and the longer run to the corner will suit. We have yet to see if he has the stamina for this trip, but I think he will find himself a long way clear and for me he is one of the favourites to go all the way. This is a greyhound with a massive 2025 ahead of him and I fancy him to take this heat and go all the way in the event. A strong fancy, Hopes Teddy.
Boylesports Bob impressed when winning last Saturday. He has a fine draw in six outside the returning to action Mustang Fever who will be looking to make all. Carmac King will be fancied by many in this but Cheque For Cash drawn on his inner may cause him a problem or two on the run to the corner. Boylesports Bob is the one to beat in here for me, but Carmac King is much respected.
Take a chance on Valinor in heat four. A bitch who has always been held in high regard by her trainer Declan McDonagh, she ran much better than the placings suggest in a red-hot heat last weekend. Superfast Gorden was just run out of things close home in the Cesarewitch final at Mullingar on Sunday and will be suited by a return to this trip while Hawkfield Blue will have his fans from red. I firmly believe we have yet to see the best of Valinor and she could go well in here at a decent price.
Morning Bucks and Maireads Prince are two inform runners contesting heat five, but this looks like a good opportunity for Yorkie Ollie to get back to winning ways. Ollie is an extremely talented greyhound when things go his way. He posted 29:32 in a trial over the trip last week and that will certainly be good enough to score in here. The sixth and final heat can go the way Cushie The Best. An improving sort, Best should have the early pace to lead up here. Da Bold Falcon is very strong but has been a shade disappointing in recent weeks. Untold Dollar is another who is returning to action and may need another run under his belt.
The first four will go through from each of the six heats.
All the best,
Barry.
