GREYHOUND PREVIEW: BARRY CAUL previews the action from Romford on Friday night plus the first major event of the Irish season which gets underway at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night with six opening round heats of the Shelbourne Gold Cup.
A quiet weekend is in store after a busy period with the conclusion of finals from Romford, Central Park and Towcester. There is the usual fine offering from Romford on Friday night as well as a couple of decent opens at Nottingham. In Ireland, the first big event of the year begins at Shelbourne Park on Saturday where the likes of Seven Beach, Carrick Aldo and Untold Rufiyaa will kick off their 2025 campaigns in the first round of the Shelbourne Gold Cup. And finally for coursing fans the National meeting at Clonmel will be run over three days starting this Saturday. Let’s look at the best of the action.
Romford Friday
Droopys Eunice was the star of the show at Romford last weekend when taking the valuable Essex Vase. This Friday’s card is not as impressive but nonetheless there is still some competitive action to dissect.
Racing kicks off at 18:37 and its hard to oppose Tullymurry Dylan. The son of Magical Bale has not raced since early December but has some smashing form at the track. He should prove to good for Divine Rule who has a good draw on the fence, Teaboy Brownie will not be far away.
The stayers are in action at 19:11, Innfield Fifi caught my eye on more than one occasion over four bends at Shelbourne Park late last year when running against the likes of Droopys Kathleen and Blackeyed Turbo, she always promised much more once stepped up in trip and is an interesting runner in here. She comes from the same Irish Kennel who had New Destiny early in her career (Barry Clancy) and looks a promising type to keep your eye on in the coming weeks.
The 20:01 is one of the best races on the card. Most of the runners have cracking form over four and six bends so the early lead will be crucial. Fabulous Sonique has been running well against good company around here of late and could make her recent course knowledge pay. All Along, Wrighty and Newinn Cloud are all capable of massive runs from the front, but I will just side with Sonique to come out on top in a wide-open contest.
Bright Jewel ran her heart out when almost springing a huge upset in the final of the Cesarewitch at Central Park last weekend. She runs in the marathon race at 20:36. She has a fine draw out in six and won’t have the same caliber of rivals chasing her if she does manage to get to the front in this contest. There was nothing to separate Bubbly Athena and Elite Albert last time out and on that form, I would just favour Albert to get the better of the inform ladies in this contest.
Shelbourne Park – Gold Cup
The early season showpiece gets underway this Saturday Night at the famous Dublin and as usual it has attracted a high-quality entry. One of the standout heats of the night is race nine on the card where the classy Carrick Aldo has a perfect draw to work from. There is an abundance of early pace in here with Whyaye Bonnylad, Cheque For Cash and Grangeclare Lady all on his inside, but this should give Aldo plenty of racing room early and he can get the better of Grangeclare Lady and Whyaye Bonnylad who will be suited by a return to his best trip.
Lemon Joey looks the one to beat in the opening heat but don’t ignore the chances of Valderrama in trap four. He has race fitness on his side and could build up a useful lead by halfway. There are some big finishers in here but this 525-yard trip at Shelbourne certainly favours front runners. Seven Beach is the big name in the second heat where his main rivals will be Dynamic Force and Hawkfield Blue, Beach and Blue are on the comeback trail, and it may just pay to side with Dynamic Force on this occasion.
Robbie Be Slick has a fine record and has been running well of late. He can get his head in front in heat three while the fourth heat can go the way of Juvenile Derby Winner Untold Rufiyaa for David Byrne. Cheque For Cash can take the last for Karol Ramsbottom.
Coursing At Powerstown Park
The annual National Coursing meeting takes place at Clonmel this weekend. Sixty-four hopefuls will take part in both the Oaks and Derby with the winner of each competition set to be crowned on Monday afternoon. Troy Mischief is a strong fancy for the Oaks and currently tops the market for the bitch’s classic at around 7/2. The Derby looks a little more open with Five O Five leading the market at 6s.
All the best,
Barry.
