SPRINTERS TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

Recent Friday nights have been hugely entertaining at Shelbourne Park and tonight’s fare promises to provide more of the same with a couple of sweepstake finals backing up the opening round of one of the best sprint competitions of the year, the Islandbridge Open 350.

ALF TO JUSTIFY LOFTY POSITION

Ballinakill Alf is the headline act in the famous sprint competition and is understandably a hot favourite with the layers to land the €5,000 prize a fortnight from today. If he is to justify his billing, he needs to come out on top in tonight’s second heat.

Drawn in three, he looks the part but Uncle Tom and Beepers Even are also respected, while Cree Jo Jo couldn’t be ignored if returning to his brilliant best. Uncle Tom has a great draw and has long looked likely to appreciate a step back in trip. A couple of impressive recent trials over two bends highlight his well-being, while Beepers Evan posted a very fast 21.09 in his latest start at Dundalk. That sort of effort must earn him respect.

Ballinakill Alf remains the one to beat, however. A course winner in 18.49 last weekend, the son of Pestana can start on terms before powering his way to the front into the turn. Beepers Evan and Uncle Tom are nominated as the greatest dangers.

ADDITION TO GET FIRST RUN

The opening heat is a far more open affair with a number of the runners holding claims of some variety. A New Addition may have suffered defeat last week but displayed huge pace into the turn to lead for much of the way. From a favourable draw on the fence, the son of Good News is again set to charge into the turn and might just get first run on his rivals.

Gumption, Zaconey Vulcan and Robbies Tiger have some impressive sprint form and are all entitled to respect with the last named nominated as the main danger. Romeo Falco is an interesting recruit to the sprinting game. He has shown plenty of ability around Clonmel and Limerick and it would be brash to ignore his claims.

TAYLOR TO GET LOOSE

Romeo Taylor has already won the Rural Kennels Open Unraced at Clonmel and reached the final of the Greyhound & Petworld Supersprint at Curraheen Park. He lines out in the third of the three heats this evening and could quickly emerge as the one to beat if starting on terms.

Hawkfield Scar has plenty of impressive runs over two bends and is greatly respected but Getup Me Son is seen as the main threat after a most taking display in his latest outing. He has a kind draw on the fence and can chase home Rome Taylor.

SAPPHIRE TO SHINE AGAIN

Magical Sapphire remains unbeaten after three career starts and will be hard to stop in the final of the Talking Dogs A2 550 after a wonderful semi-final display. Pat Guilfoyle’s charge can say goodbye to A2 company with yet another dominant display.

With a fast start, the daughter of Grangeview Ten can slip around the corner in front. The progressive duo of Westway Rossa and Rapido Bob can offer the most resistance but both have a bit to find with the likely hot favourite on the clock.

FARNEY TO CHIME IN DUAL DISTANCE

Farney Chime was a hugely impressive semi-final winner in the Sporting Press A3 Dual Distance and the step up to 550yds will no doubt play to his strength this evening. Should Laurence Jones’ son of Our Surprise avoid early traffic, he might just have too much power for his rivals. Voyage Stanley is seen as a danger, while Snipersnightmare can also get involved.