GREYHOUND PREVIEW: Barry previews an action packed weekend including the final of the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial, semi-finals of the Coral Brighton Belle and Sunday’s final of the KAB Maiden Derby.
Time is right for Hugo
Gaytime Hugo looks the one to side with in the final of the valuable Con and Annie Kirby Memorial at Limerick this Friday night. The fastest of the semi-final winners, Hugo may well have the best of the draw with his kennel mate Clonbrien Treaty highly likely to move to the middle of the track on the run to the corner from trap one. This could prove hazardous for Hovex Tommy (2) and Scaglietti (3) in the opening yards. Ryhope Beach runs from trap five for the excellent Michael O’Donovan and will be a real handful if he can improve his starting. Completing the lineup is Bogger Lucky for Liam Peacock, this well-bred son of Run Happy has yet to finish out of the first three in ten outings and should enjoy a clear run to the corner. Graham Holland took this event last year with the classy Swords Rex who recently won in Easter Cup at Shelbourne Park where Holland was responsible for four of the finalists, amazingly he has three in this in his bid to repeat last years success. Pat Guilfoyle is represented by Scaglietti, Pat trained this fellow’s father, Magical Bale to the Irish Derby Final in 2018 and Scaglietti could play a big part with a slick exit.
Also on the card is the final of the Sean O’Connor Memorial A1 525. Kells Dynamo was the fastest in the semis and if he can reproduce his recent sectionals he should lead into the back straight. Ballymac Samuel is an obvious danger, and you can’t rule out the fast finishing As I Say from trap one, but I’ll side with Kells Dynamo to make all.
The RPGTV cameras will be at Limerick this weekend where the supporting card is sure to be outstanding. Just a reminder the final will be run on Friday night April 21st as opposed to the usual Saturday night slot.
ARC Final at Sunderland
Sunderland have an excellent card on Friday night with the feature being the final of the ARC over 640m. Coonough Crow was a smart winner of her semi-final when holding off the fast-finishing Darbys Delight and looks a big price at 4/1 to win the final. If she can master Skywalker Stan on the run to the opening turn she would be hard to peg back. All eyes will be on Darbys Delight. The son of Over Limit will be thundering home but faces a nightmare draw out in trap six. He may be better off missing the break and securing a clear run in behind the leaders early and hope the pace setters do not slip to far clear. Should he be within five lengths of the leaders down the far side for the second time his huge finishing kick could see him go close. Its an intriguing final and I’ll just side with Darbys Delight to get there in the shadows of the post.
KAB Maiden Derby at Towcester
Towcester will once again host a good quality card on Sunday afternoon with the highlight being the final of the KAB Maiden Derby. I feel it is a final lacking a real early speedster and I’ll side with Crossfield Cora to emerge on top. Cora has clocked 29:27 around here in the past and on that sort of form she would take all the beating. Drive On Lad and Longacres Pele have been impressive in the opening rounds but may just lack a yard of pace to the corner granted a level break. Drive on Lad has form over further and will be hard to beat if leading. The same applies for Longacres Pele, previously known as Hoodoo Brown when trained in Ireland by Liam Dowling. Crossfield Cora has scope to improve further, and at 7/2 she makes plenty of appeal.
Hove Saturday
The three semi-finals of the Brighton Belle will be run at Hove on Saturday night, the card will also include the first round of the Puppy Cup along with the Sprint Trophy. The top two will qualify from each of the three semis of the Brighton Belle and progress to next weeks final.
In the first semi it is hard to oppose Fabulous Azurra. She was an excellent winner at the Winter Racing Festival at Shelbourne Park at the back end of last year and has returned following her seasonal break with two impressive victories.
No Rush got the better of Havana Bale Out last weekend, the pair clash again in the second semi-final, drawn in the same boxes I see no reason why Havana Bale Out should turn the form around with No Rush. The duo are likely to progress to the final.
In the remaining semi-final Droopys Request looks the one to side with, she ran a blinder behind the classy Fabulous Azurra last weekend and should find this easier.
Weekend’s Best Bets
Limerick Friday
Gaytime Hugo. One Unit Win
Towcester Sunday
Crossfield Cora. Three Units Win
