BARRY’S GREYHOUND PREVIEW: Shelbourne Park in the focus for the Boylesports Champion Stakes and Boylesports Champion Plate.
Feature Weekend at Shelbourne:
Champion Stakes & Plate Take Centre Stage
Shelbourne Park takes centre stage this weekend with two top-class competitions headlining the action, the 2025 Champion Stakes and the Champion Plate. Both events look wide open, promising a thrilling night of racing.
Ballymac Danica was the standout performer in the Stakes semifinals, while Hello Diego posted the fastest time in the Plate. Adding further interest, Saturday’s card also includes the final of the Celtic Cooling Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Open Unraced Stake, a race showcasing some of Ireland’s most exciting young prospects.
2025 Champion Stakes Final Preview
Seven Beach has been installed as favourite following his heroic effort last weekend. The Race of Champions winner looked in danger of elimination at one point but dug deep to qualify and now bids for another major title. A two-time Derby semi-finalist, he thrives at this track and remains a leading contender despite his veteran status.
Ballymac Danica went quickest in the semis and appears back to her best. Liam Dowling’s classy bitch will be a major force if she breaks cleanly, but she’ll need to do everything right with early pacers Cheque For Cash and Faypoint Harvey on her inside.
Harvey looks well housed in red. He was just denied late on by Lennies Desire last week and could make the most of an inside draw. Cheque For Cash also showed sharp early pace in his semi, only to be caught close home by the strong staying Ballyhooley Bruno.
The key to this final will be the early lead, only Lennies Desire and Ballyhooley Bruno are likely to come from behind. Of that duo, Lennies Desire stands out. He recently broke the Towcester track record and was superb again last weekend, overcoming a slow start to win. With a clear run from trap six, he could be hard to keep out of the frame.
Paul Hennessy has won this event six times. Lennies Desire could make it a magnificent seven.
Champion Plate Final
Hello Diego was the fastest semifinal winner and looks well suited by this return to four bends after a stint over six. He showed his strength and determination last week with a powerful display, but he’ll need to repeat that performance once again if he is to get the better of some highly promising young rivals.
Born Braver caught the eye with his blistering pace down the back straight. He looked the likely winner before being nabbed late by the strong-running Ballymac Jester, who also lines up here. Clona Comet, drawn just inside Born Braver, has early pace and the pair could set a hot tempo up front.
If that scenario plays out, Ballymac Jester could again be the one finishing best of all. Lennies Madge and Ballymac Tibet are both strong finishers too but will need luck in running.
A cracking final in prospect, but a repeat of last week’s finish might be on the cards, with Ballymac Jester again picking off Born Braver in the closing yards.
Celtic Cooling Open Unraced Final
Some of the country’s most promising pups go head-to-head in the final of the Celtic Cooling Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Open Unraced Stake.
Ballymac Stud is two-from-two and has looked hugely exciting. After a dazzling 28:12 debut, he overcame early trouble last week to win again and looks like the one to beat.
Litter brothers Coloursaregreen and Magical Major are two more with star potential but will need to produce their very best to win. Highview Paul is the other unbeaten finalist and will need to step up slightly on the clock to feature.
Outside hopes Getup The Boy and Pennys Nugget will be looking for a touch of racing luck to get involved.
Shelbourne Undercard
There’s no shortage of talent on the supporting card.
In the 8:03, Magical Mag is in flying form and could take catching if she leads up Highview Plan. In the night’s final race, Longrange Trend may offer value, he’s capable of springing a surprise with a clear run.
All the best,
Barry
