ALL EYES ON THE LEE STRAND IN THE KINGDOM

Barry Drake

The opening round of the €10,000 to the winner Lee Strand 550 takes centre stage at Tralee Greyhound Stadium tonight. 

Always a fantastic event, it's expected to produce plenty of top-class performances over the next couple of weeks.

In the second heat, Grouchos Hawk looks capable of getting off the mark for the first time on outing number three. Trained by Pat Buckley for owner Ken O'Connell, things didn't go to plan for the October puppy the last twice, but he has decent trial form in the book, and he looks primed for this. It's not the strongest of races, and he should prove too strong.

Two heats later, Tullig Coyote is one to watch for Mort Ahern. The July puppy impressed on debut, winning in 17.59. Turned over next time out, he still managed to show plenty of pace and rates as a very exciting talent going forward. A front-running winning performance looks very likely in this.

Liam Dowling can strike in heat number five; Ballymac Charbel is selected to score for the local trainer. The August puppy is a 1759 winner around the Tralee 325, and he is another that has been primed for this. There's plenty of improvement likely, and he rates a real player for outright glory.