GREYHOUND PREVIEW: This week’s big race previews include the final of the RPGTV Irish Cesarewitch from Mullingar on Sunday.
Mary Seeking Magical Double
Magical Mary will bid to add her second Irish Cesarewitch to her impressive CV when she lines up in the final of the Mullingar showpiece this Sunday afternoon. Her excellent trainer Pat Guilfoyle is no stranger to success in the event having won it five times in the past, with Definite Opinion winning back-to-back in 2010/11, Skywalker Logan in 2019 and Guilfoyle is now on a hat trick with Amazing Alice (2021) and last year’s winner Magical Mary seeking a famous double in the event.
Her main market rival Bobsleigh Dream is also trained by a man who has won the Cesarewitch on multiple occasions Pat Buckley. Buckley has won the event in 2007, 2015 and 2016.
Bobsleigh Dream got the better of Magical Mary in last week’s semi-final, but the draw slightly favours Mary in this Sunday’s showpiece. A second runner in the final for Buckley will be Killahan Sydney who runs from trap six. Sydney is perfectly drawn as the sole wide side; his trapping has been an issue in the past but he was much better last week when run down late by the big finishing Jacktavern Bella. Bella is obviously better over a little further, but none will finish faster.
The inside runners, Faypoint David and Peach Tree East have done well to get this far but must do everything right to play a part. Magical Mary is chosen to come out on top and add yet another Irish Cesarewitch for trainer Pat Guilfoyle.
The card will be live on RPGTV on Sunday afternoon.
Easter Cup Quarter Finals
Twenty-four remain in the Easter Cup at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night. In the first quarter final Galloping Sydney is a confident selection to make all. Although much better suited by an inside draw, the lack of a runner in six and a couple of slow starters inside should see Sydney lead early and prove difficult to peg back. Stream Of Sydney is the obvious danger.
Swords Rex will bid to get back to winning ways in the second quarter where last week’s impressive winner Ballymac Finn must be feared. On the draw I will just side with Swords Rex.
It’s hard to look past Callaway Pro Am in the third heat, he was impressive to the eye last week and I expect him to improve on his 29:90 win last weekend. If Romeo Magico can avoid the fast starting Hello Mom in the early yards of his quarter, he should prove too strong and take the final heat. Galloping Sydney also makes plenty of appeal at 10’s in the outright market.
Kirby Memorial at Limerick
The richest puppy event in the country, The Con and Annie Kirby Memorial gets underway at Limerick this Saturday night. Won last year by the classy Swords Rex the event goes from strength to strength. This year is no exception, it will no doubt throw up some stars of the future. We will focus of the event as the rounds progress but Ryhope Beach, Ballymac Johnjo and Verratti may be worth an ante-post interest.
The UK Scene
Kent Plate Final at Central Park
The best race in the UK will undoubtedly take place at Central Park on Sunday afternoon when the final of the Kent Plate is the feature on a good quality card. Fromposttopilar just heads the betting at 5/4 over Hopes Paddington at 7/4, its 6’s bar these two. Hopes Paddington is unbeaten in the event having got the better of Fromposttopilar last weekend. The latter was a shade unlucky last time and can come out on top with one of his better exits. Arkady can fly to the corner on occasions but is vulnerable in the closing stages. Fromposttopilar currently heads the betting for this year’s English Derby and should take this with a level break.
RPGTV Friday Best Bets
Oxford and Romford provide the televised action on Friday evening. At Oxford, the unraced Droopys Riddle will be looking to make a winning debut in the opening race on the card. The very well-bred son of Malachi has a classic dam line with the likes of Catunda Lace and Borna Gem amongst his pedigree. He should prove tough to beat in the opener.
Queen Pink ran well behind Antigua Sugar in the final of the Coronation Cup at Romford and can take race three on the card (18:48) at the expense of Minnie Bullet.
King Ezra has won well around here in the past over four bends but has the pace to go close in the 19:44, he should find this easier than his recent assignments and can score here with Lively Lauren a big danger.
Over at Romford Well Done Bacon takes a slight drop in grade in the 19:18 contest, she usually breaks well from box five and can make all if beating Young Bull to the early lead, Coolavanny Finn in six is quick, but I’m not sure trap six will suit him.
It’s hard to look past Antigua Bigun in the 21:28. He has done plenty of winning around here and a five-dog race will suit him.
Weekend’s Best Bets:
Mullingar Sunday
Magical Mary. Two Units win.
Oxford Friday
Queen Pink. One Unit win.
