IRISH LAURELS FINAL: The final of the Bar One Racing Irish Laurels from Cork will feature live on RPGTV this Saturday night.
Irish Laurels Final
Jacktavern Bolt
High Trend
Glory Baz
Role Model
Easy Razzle
Carrick Aldo
The final of the 2023 Irish Laurels will be the main event on RPGTV this Saturday evening when the “Derby of The South” concludes. Jacktavern Bolt and Carrick Aldo currently head the market at 7/4 with Glory Baz next in at 4s. Jacktavern Bolt is seeking his tenth straight victory and has been handed the red jacket in the decider. Recent Dundalk Sprint Cup winner Carrick Aldo will be having only his sixth start over four bends on Saturday night. Prior to the event Carrick Aldo had run eight of his nine outings over two bends but the return to four bends has brough about some top class displays. If he were to trap like he did in the Dundalk decider he would be the one to beat for trainer David Murray. It remains to be seen how Jacktavern Bolt will cope from the inside box, he’s currently one from five when starting from red and will need to trap at least level if he is to have a say. The second of the Holland runners is Glory Baz. Baz only recently joined the Riverside Kennel outfit. He won his first six starts and scored for the first time under the care of Graham Holland when making all in a career best 28.21 in the quarter final, he ran well last week behind Jacktavern Bolt and could get closer this time. Easy Razzle posted her career best effort in the opening round when clocking 28.07, she has yet to repeat that sort of start since but remains capable if finding her trapping boots. Role Model is the other bitch in the final and will need luck, while the third of the Holland runners High Trend is the dog I give a chance to at a big price. He can trap well on occasions and if the inside box catches out his kennel companion High Trend could have a good make up. He tasted defeat for the first time in the competition last weekend and I give him a big chance to return to winning ways this Saturday night.
Yvonne Barry Open 600 at Shelbourne Park
Derby Winning trainer Pat Buckley has a strong hand in the final of the Yvonne Barry Track Bookmaker Open 600 at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night. Recent Irish Derby third Bens Teddy is currently the 8/11 favourite for Buckley while his other runner Glengar Elvis is next in at 7/2. Glengar Elvis is expected to lead Bens Teddy early with Teddy set to do his best running in the second half of the contest. I have been impressed with Glengar Elvis in recent week and this puppy looks to be improving with each run. Still only a Jan 22 whelp there should be more to come, and he may be the value option. Jetstream Breeze and Droopys Nice One may also have a say but I’ll stick with Elvis to make all.
Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks at Perry Barr.
Saturday night will also see the second round of the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks at Perry Barr and if the first round was anything to go by, we are in for a cracking competition. Six second round heats will be run on the night with the first due off at 18:59 where Whats Up Eva will be looking to make it four in a row. She won’t have it all her own way with last weeks impressive winners Antigua Bingo and Allowdale Cazoo sure to have a say. Big finisher Coonough Crow will be thundering home as too will Cashen Eliza, but a tentative vote goes to Antigua Bingo despite the less-than-ideal draw. The excellent Droopys Mandolin is expected to get back to winning ways in the second heat at 19:34 and improve for her first look at the track. Laughil Jess has turned into a winning machine since her switch from Ireland to the UK and will be fancied by many to go in again. I’ll oppose her at likely short odds this time from a tricky looking draw in four with Rosshill Dana put forward at a big price. Heat four looks on paper to be the heat of the night with last weeks impressive winners Droopys Ailsa, Queen Joni and No Rush expected to fight out the finish. Droopys Ailsa looks sure to improve from her first look at the track and looks to be well drawn in two. It’s not a race I would be too keen In getting involved with from a punting perspective and it maybe one to savor. Betsys Bullet looks likely to take a weak looking fifth heat, and Bellmore Lola could go well in the last from six.
