GREYHOUND PREVIEW: In this week’s preview Barry looks at the final of the Easter Cup from Shelbourne on Saturday where his ante-post pick Hopes Teddy (16s) is the 9/4 favourite to strike gold. He also previews all four quarter finals of the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial from Limerick, also on Saturday. And at Towcester on Sunday, he has a couple of selections for the Maiden Derby.
Easter Cup Final
🟥 Hopes Teddy
🟦 Da Bold Falcon
⬜ Randolph Scotts
⬛ Barefoot On Song
🟧 Hawkfield Blue
🔲 Tarsna Maasai
The final of the Easter Cup is the highlight on a quality card from Shelbourne Park this weekend. Randolph Scotts set the pace in the semifinals when impressively winning his heat in a fastest of the year 29:29. Da Bold Falcon is very strong over this trip and he got his required racing room last time out when winning his semi in 29:42. Despite defeat in last weekend’s semifinal Hopes Teddy will go to traps as the favourite. He suffered his first loss of the year when behind Da Bold Falcon but better is expected this week. Teddy is a likely leader and if holding a couple of lengths lead to the third bend, he could be hard to stop.
Randolph Scotts was very impressive last weekend but will need to master Hopes Teddy by the third bend if he is to have a say. That looks a big ask, he is an improving type with an impressive pedigree, and we may not have seen the best of him yet. Da Bold Falcon is the big finisher, if he can turn in a handy position, he will make them all go. Falcon will be looking to slipstream the leaders into the back straight and if he can turn close to the lead, he is a player.
Hawkfield Blue has the worst of the draw and Barefoot On Song is another with a poor draw. Both will need luck. Tarsna Maasai is the sole wide seed and if Hawkfield Blue was to move to the rails on the run-up Maasai will have all the room in the world on the run to the corner. We tipped up Hopes Teddy at 16s before the start of the event and we will stick with the Pat Buckley runner to make all. It is a cracking final and I wish all connections the best.
Kirby Memorial at Limerick
We are at the quarter final stage of the Con and Annie Kirby memorial final at Limerick this weekend. The top three in each quarter final will progress to next weekends final. Fun inthe Run gave his supporters a scare last weekend when he walked from traps but in fairness, he took his chance after some inside crowding and went on to score well. Michael Malone’s speedster can go up much quicker and will be hard to keep out of the frame. We have yet to see the best of Sole Mio and I think he could be the one to come out in top in the first quarter. The well-bred son of Coolavanny Hoffa was a little unlucky last time and can just get the better of Fun in the Run this weekend.
Jacktavern Boom can come out on top in the second quarter. The draw could work in his favour with the early paced Bogger Pat expected to set the pace on the fence. This should provide some racing room for Jacktavern Boom, and he can put his pace to effective use down the far side. Brightside Bill is ultra consistent and will be hard to keep out of the frame and Bubbly Charger can also make the last twelve.
I fancy Daleroad Mya to get back to winning ways in the third quarter. She ran well behind Jacktavern Boom last week and she has a good chance to race prominent in this heat. There does look to be a lack of early in this and if Mya can produce one of her better starts, she could find herself in an ideal position at the opening turn. Mya runs on well and could be a bit of value in here. Pain Barrier and Droopys Deploy are blessed with huge pace but will need a little luck around the opening bends. Knockard Hero has run well at huge prices in the first two rounds, but he has more early than some of these and deserves a mention.
Outright favourite Faypoint Ranger is the one to beat in the last quarter. Graham Hollands runner has been excellent in the opening two rounds and looks hard to oppose. Toolmaker Josepe and Lemon Joey can follow him home and make it through to next weekend’s semifinals.
Maiden Derby at Towcester
The Maiden Derby at Towcester always throws up a potential star or two and this year’s event looks likely to do the same. It kicks off at Towcester on Sunday and there looks to be a couple of standout performers about to put their name into the hat for the upcoming English Greyhound Derby.
Hello Diego boasts good form around Shelbourne Park at the back end of last year and should take the second heat at 14:16. Lennies Desire looks to be a potential superstar. He was excellent in his last race at Shelbourne Park and his recent trials suggest his wellbeing. Paul Hennessy has a decent record at the track and Lennies Desire will be right up there when it comes to the business end of the stake.
Good luck to all connections with runners this weekend.
Barry.
