GREYHOUND PREVIEW: In this week’s piece, Barry looks at the Kent Derby final from Central Park, Easter Cup semis from Shelbourne and we are on to round two in the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial at Limerick. (SIS). All events take place on Saturday evening.
The high-quality action continues this weekend on both sides of the Irish Sea. Central Park Greyhound Stadium hosts the final of the Kent Plate on Saturday, while over at Shelbourne Park it’s semi-final time in the Easter Cup. Meanwhile, we move on to the second round of the Kirby Memorial at Limerick Greyhound Stadium following a scintillating opening round. Let’s take a look at the best of the action.
Central Park Kent Plate Final (Saturday)
Proper Heiress made it two from two in 2026 with another dominant display in last week’s semi-final. He broke well from trap two and was never in any real danger. Now drawn in the red jacket for this weekend’s final, he will take all the beating. Heiress has run fourteen times from trap one, winning on twelve occasions. The only defeats came on debut at Enniscorthy in July ’24 and in last year’s Irish Derby final, an incredible record.
However, this is no formality. The final is packed with quality, and the clock backs that up. Heiress posted 28:56 when making all, but the in-form Scooby The Lady remains unbeaten at the track and has recorded 28:48 and 28:47 in the last two rounds. The draw is not ideal for Scooby, though she has won her last two outings from this box and will need a flying start.
Burrows Charm also impressed last time and is unbeaten in the competition. He will likely need to lead up Heiress; while he has winning form over six bends, coming from behind would require a huge effort. Cinderella Tell absolutely flew from the boxes last time, posting a rapid 2.85 sectional—she’ll need a repeat and a bit of luck. The consistent Ballymac Axel faces a tricky draw surrounded by early pace but always gives his all, providing his sporting owners with plenty of fun. Droopys Graph completes the line-up; always popular in the market, he has a big engine but tends to find trouble. A case can be made for most, but with another slick exit and the draw in his favour, Proper Heiress remains the one to beat.
Easter Cup Shelbourne Park (Saturday)
It’s semi-final time in this year’s Easter Cup, and after a few thrills and spills last weekend, most of the big guns have survived a scare or two.
Droopys Kathleen lines up in the opening semi, and some may have been slightly disappointed by her run last week when leading. She was picked up close home by Lemon Orla and Lennies Madge. However, Lemon Orla is one of the strongest bitches in training over four bends, and Kathleen was always going to come under severe pressure. The fact she rallied to go down by only a neck speaks volumes. It was a big run, and she can improve again.
There is a lack of early pace in this semi, with Kathleen and Lennies Tank likely to go clear. Lemon Hildago has been running well of late and is not without a chance, while former Derby finalist Callaway Knegare is well drawn but needs to rediscover some spark. I’m happy to stay loyal to Kathleen, while Lennies Tank looks the likely leader, if she can stay close into the third bend, she can prove strongest late on.
The second semi can go the way of Droopys Faithful. We didn’t see her at her best last weekend, but that was only her second run of the year and she should come forward. With the outside to herself, she can get the better of the fast-finishing Lennies Madge on the run to the corner. Callaway Five and Miami Hans will be looking to break well, though both have been inconsistent at the boxes recently.
This semi features several powerful finishers, including the Paul Hennessy pair Lennies Madge and Boylesports Blue, while Lemon Orla also fits that mould. Whichever of that trio turns closest to the pace will have a major say, but Droopys Faithful still looks a cracking bet in this heat.
Kirby Memorial Limerick (Saturday)
Year after year, the Kirby Memorial produces a conveyor belt of talent, and this year’s crop looks no different. No fewer than ten of the thirteen heats were won in 28:20 or better. Three will qualify from each of the eight heats, with Jacktavern Romeo a doubtful runner in the last.
Lennies Dynamic was electric last week when making all and has a perfect draw in the opening heat as the sole wide seed. Ello Ello and Hackney Dancer meet again and can both have a say, while Silverhill Bucko should improve, but it’s hard to look past Lennies Dynamic.
Heat two looks a cracker, with Bockos Gold and Ballymac Setanta set to clash. I’ve long been a fan of Ballymac Setanta, and he may have too much for the promising Bockos Gold here.
Cushie Flytplan is another I’ve followed closely, he’s far better than last week’s run and, from an ideal draw on the fence, looks one of the better bets on the card.
Despite a trap three draw, Newinn Spot fans can be encouraged by his position on Saturday night. He is drawn inside some real speedsters, Getup The Boy, Ballycowan Frank, and Ballymac Gwennie. This is one of the heats of the evening, but the draw just tips things in Spot’s favour.
Uncle Keith can take the fifth heat for Mark Robinson. He’s as quick as any on his day, and there were promising signs last week with an improved break. As the sole wide seed, he can capitalise on a good draw.
The Ballymac Kennels hold a strong hand in heat six, where Ballymac Chantry is selected to get the better of Ballymac Duffle. Chantry may have just one win from thirteen outings, but that does not reflect her ability.
The penultimate heat can go to Bouncing Monarch. Now under the care of Michael O’Donovan, he was exceptional on his first official look at the track, posting a scorching 27:93. A repeat of that performance would make him very hard to beat. Beautiful Paul and Riverside Rex are respected.
The final heat may become a five-dog contest, in which case Ballydoyle Tine can make the most of a favourable draw to get the better of Montana Secret.
Good luck to all connections.
Barry.
