GREYHOUND PREVIEW: In this week’ preview Barry looks at the Easter Cup quarter finals from Shelbourne Park on Saturday, the opening round of the Kirby Memorial from Limerick also on Saturday and in the UK its the final of the TV Trophy from Towcester on Sunday.
The opening round of the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial at Limerick and the Quarter Finals of the Easter Cup at Shelbourne Park highlight the weekend action in Ireland on Saturday night. In the UK Romford host another decent Friday night card and Central Park are at the semifinal stage of the Kent Plate. And finally on Sunday, Towcester will bring us the final of the prestigious TV Trophy over 942 meters.
Easter Cup Shelbourne Park
Cheque For Cash will take the place of Boylesports Bob after he was disqualified last weekend in controversial circumstances. To me it looked a harsh decision, but we must move on, and Bob will now be aimed once again at The English Derby.
Tarsna Maasai and Hopes Teddy set the pace in the opening round when both winning in 29:46. The speedy duo clash in the first quarter final where Cheque For Cash has a perfect draw on the fence.
I am a huge fan of Hopes Teddy but on this occasion, it may just pay to side with Tarsna Maasai in six. The Geoff Parnaby trainer runner returned to action last week to beat a good field and there could be more to come. Hazlehill Bucko has caught my eye on a couple of occasions and has the place to pay a part. Da Bold Falcon will be hard to keep out of the frame but is likely to have plenty in front of him at halfway.
Defending champion Clonbrien Treaty was another who returned to action last weekend and he ran a more than respectable race to finish third behind Hopes Teddy fading on the run in. The four times classic winner should strip fitter this weekend and can get the better of Hawkfield Blue and Barefoot On Song.
The third quarter final looks wide open. Maireads Prince has been in cracking form of late and will look to lead up on the outside. Randolph Scotts will attempt similar from trap two. Scotts ran well in a hot contest last weekend and should lead up the inside runners. Carmac King has been expensive to follow in recent weeks, but trainer Owen McKenna did say he needs a couple of runs to be seen at his best, he could be ready to peak this weekend. King should lead up Jaytee Craze and if he gets a clear run at the pacesetters, he could be hard to contain.
Untold Dollar has been withdrawn from the last quarter final leaving us with a five-dog race. English Derby Winner De Lahdedah takes on Callaway Knegare in here in what looks to be one of the races of the night. Yorkie Ollie has all the ability in the world but needs to be on his A game on Saturday-however, I would not rule him out. Mustang Fever did little wrong when winning last time out and should come on for the run. Cushie The Best was another to impress when making all and has a chance to lead once again. For me it’s a race to enjoy, all five runners have sound claims, and it looks impossible to call.
Kirby Memorial at Limerick
The Con and Annie Kirby Memorial is one of the highlights on the Irish Calendar and the entry for this year’s event looks high quality. We went close with last year with our ante post selection Phoenix Tyson made it to the final at 150/1. Hopefully, we can go one better this year. Ballymac Boa (66s) has always been held in high regard and I’m sure we have yet to see the best of him. Another greyhound who could go well at a decent price is Fun Inthe Run (50s). He showed good form around Shelbourne Park last year and his recent trial was highly promising. We will touch more on the event in next week’s piece.
TV Trophy Towcester
One of the oldest races in existence the TV Trophy final will be run at Towcester on Sunday. Growing up many of us will remember the race from its live slot on BBC many years ago. Its safe to say it unfortunately does not hold the same interest that it once did but nevertheless we still have a quality line up for Sunday’s showpiece. Ballymac Taylor and Mongys Wild dominate the betting and it looks to be between the pair. Although Taylor has a few lengths in hand on the clock on last weeks running I think Mongys Wild can get first run. He has winning form over four bends in Ireland and has now won six of his seven starts in the UK. He knows how to win and can get first run on Ballymac Taylor and that should prove crucial.
All the best,
Barry.
