YOUNGSTERS TOP THE BILL AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

There’s a wonderful card on offer at Shelbourne Park this evening with plenty of Winter Racing Festival clues on offer as well as the semi-finals of the IGOBF National Puppy Stake.

There were four fine winning displays in the opening round with Scooby Countess and Mustang Fever sharing the honour of going fastest, while Clona Curly and Whyaye Bonnylad also impressed in their respective heats.

As fate would have it, the two flying females will meet in the second semi-final this evening, while Clona Curly will be favourite to step up on his opening round effort in the first of the two heats.

CURLY CAN GO EVEN FASTER

Clona Curly had no right to win last week after suffering traffic on the turn before being forced very wide into the second turn.

However, the Denis Linehan Solicitors Open Unraced winner around Curraheen Park has a massive engine and it was really purring seven days ago.

Displaying all sorts of pace to the third turn, he cut down the leader, In Good Time, to emerge a superb winner in 28.71. It would be no shock if he were to go considerably faster this evening, although a clear passage would almost certainly aid his chance of doing so.

Whyaye Bonnylad looks the most likely pace-setter. The recent Paddy Merriman Memorial champ is electric to the corner but he is vulnerable in the latter stages. He will most certainly need to dictate and if Clona Duke were to et a run at him, there is only going to be one winner.  

Dunnanelly Fred is also worthy of a second look. He caught the eye after early traffic last week and it would be no shock if he were to get involved in the shake up. Barefoot On Fire displayed massive promise on debut at Curraheen Park but his lack of experience is still an issue. If he is to play a part, he must come away racing. The same can be said for both Faypoint Sydney and Jim By Two.

In short, if Clona Curly doesn’t find bad traffic, he is a very likely winner. His pace and power from the second turn really does set his apart from his rivals and he is a confident selection to come home clear, perhaps in a very fast time should conditions allow.

COUNTESS TO MAKE DRAW COUNT

Scooby Countess and Mustang Fever will head the market in the second semi, although this is far from a two-dog contest with Scooby Pacemaker, Glengar Elvis and Omuircheartaigh all capable of playing a part should they put their best foot forward.  

Scooby Pacemaker needs to come away racing from a tricky draw in four but has shown plenty of ability in his relatively short career. Glengar Elvis is already proven at the highest level but would prefer further and faces a far from ideal trap five draw.

Omuircheartaigh remains a greyhound of huge potential but he was thrown in at the deep end very early and lacks experience. He must find his trapping boots, especially in a contest of this nature. 

That brings us back to the two flying females. Mustang Fever did nothing wrong last week, popping from traps to make all in 28.31.

Scooby Duchess also clocked 28.31 but she has the inside line on her rival this evening and that can make the difference. The Jennifer O’Donnell trained starlet is selected to lead home her rivals.

SOME FINE ACTION ON UNDERCARD

The three semi-finals of the RCETS A0 525 could potentially go to the early pace-setters.

The Shaun Conway trained Lotto Other News has an ideal draw on the fence in the opening heat and can get off the front.

The same can be said for Ardnasool Raz in the Heat 3. He takes his first steps out of puppy company and will be tested by some more experienced rivals but he looked a very nice type in a recent Unraced competition and is given the nod.

The middle heat is very open. Sunshine Zoe will bid to dictate throughout from trap five, while Uncle Tom has the best of the draw on the fence should he start on terms but Bonkersinyonkers will be sitting and waiting should either make any mistakes.

BOY TO BOUNCE OUT IN SPRINT RETURN

Ballymun Boy returns to sprinting and has the draw to make a bold bid.

He faces some notable rivals including Get It Right, who looked a hot prospect around Dundalk earlier in the year. The latter is returning from injury enforced layoff and may need the outing judging n his latest sprint trial.

That could leave the door open for Ballymun Boy to follow up on an impressive 18.52 solo. The four remaining challengers are all capable of going fast but Ballymun Boy appeals.   

BEACH EXPECTED TO WIN IN STYLE

The most interesting runner on the card is Ryhope Beach.

A powerhouse with unlimited ability, he has been expensive to follow but seems certain to return to winning ways in the second race on the card, the second of three semi-finals in the Greyhound Racing Ireland A0/A1 600.

The opening heat is a far more open affair with slight preference for the exciting Fashion Model, who seems certain to appreciate the additional yardage, while Docktechnik Diva can finish fastest to win Heat 3.