A SPECIAL NIGHT IN DUBLIN FOR FESTIVAL GOERS
Ian Fortune
It only seems like yesterday when the dogs went to traps for the opening race at the inaugural Night of Stars in 2012.
Some thirteen years later, it remains one of the highlights of the greyhound racing year albeit under the guise of the RCÉ Winter Racing Festival.
A huge crowd will descend on Shelbourne Park this evening and be treated to some of the greatest racing imaginable. It’s a veritable who’s who of the sport and by the end of racing we will have crowned some of the most famous names of the modern era.
The make-up of the card hasn’t changed since last year with a whopping €97,500 to be handed out in win prizemoney. There are six €10,000 championship races, five races worth €5,000 to the winner and the final of the IGOBF National Puppy Stake, which is worth a whopping €12,500 to the champion and it’s with the latter we start our preview.
NATIONAL PUPPY COULD BE AREAL SPECTACLE
Sadly, the National Puppy Stake field is down to five with the withdrawal of Ballymac Suin this morning but it remains a fascinating decider with so many of those in the line-up capable of going on to achieve great things in the future.
Shotgun Dez and Sawdust Barry are set to head the market, although neither will be aided by the withdrawal of Ballymac Suin. In fact, his absence could leave extra room for the strong runners, opening the door for a tremendous finish.
Droopys Map is drawn on the fence and will certainly appreciate the extra room. A fast starter, he tends to get outpaced into the bend before finishing at speed. If he can contain Ballycowen Frank into the bend, he could be a huge player at the finish for Murt Leahy and Martin Costigan.
The aforementioned Ballycowen Frank is drawn in three. He flew from boxes last week and seemed certain to go around in front, only for Shotgun Dez to force his way through on the fence. Tonight, Ballycowen Frank needs a similar start but the draw looks far kinder with Shotgun Dez drawn on his outside.
If he manages to clear Droopys Map into the bend, he too would emerge as a serious player for Dean Harpur and Debbie Doyle.
Beanos Yank is drawn in five and is seen as the second string for Graham Holland. He is immensely fast down the back straight but will need to sharpen up in the early yards. He gives the impression he will be a big performer in 2026 but this may come a little soon.
That leaves us with the big two in the market, Sawdust Barry was brilliant in his semi-final showing massive early speed to dominate from the early yards. It was comfortably the best run of his career to date but perhaps a sign of things to come. He will need a similar start and an early advantage but is entitled to be seen as one of the leading fancies. Murt Leahy will be hoping to get him out of traps again.
Shotgun Dez is the certain favourite. He has been a revelation through the competition and remains unbeaten in Dublin. He has wonderful early speed, track craft and overall pace but his greatest asset is his ability to find a way to the front.
If he traps on terms from four, he could quickly find himself in front and is nominated s the on to beat, although his many supporters will be aware that the extra room leaves him a little vulnerable to the big finishers.
It’s a cracking decider and could go right to the wire but Shotgun Dez has been paw-perfect through the competition and is chosen to complete his march through the famous stake in style. He gets the nod ahead of Sawdust Barry but Droopys Map and Ballycowen Frank are both capable of mounting a bold challenge.
SANDWICHES TO CAP OFF A FAMOUS YEAR
BOYLE Sports Derby champion Cheap Sandwiches has some unfinished business in the WRF Championship 550.
Twelve months ago, when known as a Derby runner-up, he chased home De Lahdedah in the €10,000 contest.
Now a Derby winner and firmly established as a modern great, he will again start a hot favourite emerge triumphant and one suspects it will need something special rom one of his rivals to stop him from capping off a remarkable year.
Perfectly house in the stripes, the Graham Holland trained superstar has flown in a series of recent trials, highlighting his well-being and he will start a deserving favourite. Of course, he must take on a number of brilliant trackers including recent Laurels finalist Ballymac Setanta and former Juvenile Derby winner Callaway Knegare. Throw in the very talented trio of Epic Ace, Cheque For Cash and Hackney Corner and it is a truly brilliant contest.
However, no greyhound has had a better 2025 than Cheap Sandwiches and the stunningly fast son of Burgess Bucks can assert into the bend before coming out on top. Ballymac Setanta doesn’t have the best draw in four but has enough about him to put in a big run.
BOMBAY READY TO FIRE AGAIN
While Cheap Sandwiches was beaten in last year’s WRF, Bombay Pat was pretty much perfect in the Championship 575.
He returns a year on to defend his crown and will be a short price to do so despite the presence of some very talented rivals including Derby finalist Glengar Silent and Droopys Faithful. Blastoff Heffo, Ballymac Tibet and Blackeyed Turbo complete a top-class line-up.
Importantly, Bombay Pat has been handed the stripes once again. A good winner at Curraheen Park on Laurels final night over the 575yd trip, he seems to be as good as ever and that’s bad news for his rivals. Glengar Silent is incredibly fast and should appreciate the extra emphasis on stamina but he needs to be at his very sharpest on the long run to the corner. If failing to contain Bombay Pat into the bend, he could find himself with a mountain to climb. The same can be said for Droopys Faithful. She ran a huge race behind Bombay Pat in Cork last time but needs to come through the bars as she must turn in front to reverse form with the favourite. Bombay Pat can assert into the turn before adding another famous victory to his tally.
SOLO READY TO GO
After his heartbreak in the Laurels, Solo And Go would be a popular winner of the WRF Championship 525.
The Liam Dowling trained speed merchant is drawn in three and seems certain to scorch to the corner.
He will need to do so, however, as takes on some brilliant rivals including the talented Toolmaker King, Callaway Five, Lamrock Ace and classic winners Lemon Joey and Faypoint Ranger. The race to the corner could be pretty epic but Solo And Go is perhaps the most likely leader.
He is housed just inside Faypoint Ranger and that could make the difference. If containing that rival early, the door could be left open for Solo And Go to make all. He gets the nod ahead of Faypoint Ranger and Lemon Joey, who ran such a big race in the Laurels decider.
EXPECT MAGICAL TO FIRE
After picking up Solo And Go to emerge a brilliant winner of the Bar One Racing Irish Laurels, Magical On Fire will be warm order to follow up her classic success in the WRF Championship Bitch 525 from a near perfect draw on the fence.
Pat Guilfoyle’s starlet has it all, tremendous early speed, big pace down the back straight and the stamina to win over a trip beyond 525yds. Add to that an ideal draw and it’s difficult to see past her, although Glengar Martha is a worthy adversary.
The latter may be into her fifth year but she is running as well as ever. She too has an ideal draw in the stripes and will put it up to the favourite. The remaining quartet are all very talented but they are perhaps dependent on the big two making mistakes. Magical On Fire is nominated to claim another famous success at the expense of Glengar Martha.
PERFORM AND FLARE TO SERVE UP A BELTER
One of the great clashes on the card will come in the WRF Championship 750 with Ireland’s best stayer Born To Perform taking on one of the very best in the UK, Droopys Flare.
But for Mongys Wild, Droopys Flare would be seen as the best across the pond and she will have plenty of support in her Shelbourne Park debut.
She trialed well last week and is expected to come on considerably for that outing. The draw is a slight concern, however. Drawn on the outside of Born To Perform, Droopys Flare may need to knock door the bars to lead that rival around the corner.
Born To Perform was seen at her very best on Derby final night. A heavily backed favourite on that occasion, she flew from traps to dominate, going further and further clear to eventually score by over eight lengths. She will tart favourite again and is the most likely winner from the draw but one suspects this could develop into a brilliant contest.
And of course it is far from a two-dog affair, Boylesports Blue and Dashing Toro have wonderful four bend speed and both have also won over tonight’s trip in the past. If they are to upset the big two in the betting, they must produce a flawless display but that is possible. Bockos Sapphire is also very quick, although she will be stretched by the trip and must get loose.
Born To Perform is chosen to emerge on top but don’t be surprised if this turns into one of the races of the night.
A SPECIAL END TO A SPECIAL NIGHT?
Such a wonderful night of racing action deserves a special finale and we haven’t been let down. Lookandlep and Coosane Pickles have had their own personal battle over the past month and a half, meeting four times with Coosane Pickles leading late in each.
There is further spice in tonight’s contest with the addition of the brilliant De Lahdedah. The 2024 English Derby winner has been amongst the most popular greyhounds in training this century and while he is now officially a veteran, he retains all his ability as highlighted by a couple of stunning trials around Tralee in recent weeks.
He posted a sensational 27.80 at the Kingdom last Saturday night and has been handed the red jacket tonight. With that in mind, he will have plenty of support in tonight’s contest.
Ballyhooly Bruno is proven over the 600yd trip after winning the Shelbourne Open 600 earlier in the year. He has been a little off the boil in recent weeks and needs to find form to threaten. Low Profile is very promising and won well over 575yds on his Shelbourne debut last weekend but this is a far tougher test, while Durrow Star is exceptionally strong and will finish fast. That said, she must find a way to turn closer if she is to land a telling blow.
Lookandlep is the most likely pace-setter from three and no one would begrudge him a big race success but he has been haunted by Coosane Pickles and there could be a case of déjà vu. De Lahdedah gets the nod, however.
It hasn’t been stated publicly but this could well be the final start of his career and were he to emerge on top it could bring the house down. Now that would be a special end to a special night and special career. It could be a case of ‘it’s meant to be’ for De Lahdedah.
YOUNGTERS CAN KICK OFFTHE NIGHT IN STYLE
Racing commences with the WRF Juvenile 525 and it is a proper race with a number of potential stars on show including the Juvenile Derby champion Getup The Boy.
Hackney Mati is certain to prove popular in the ring after a couple of massive runs in recent weeks. He has an ideal draw on the fence and will bid to turn close to the pace.
Newinn Hoffa is clearly very talented and is greatly respected despite his inexperience. He must come away racing from three but is seen as a big player. Advantage Rule has a kind draw in the stripes and will bid to get loose in the early yards. If doing so, he could certainly figure but may find one or two too good.
The field is completed by the strong running pair of Ballymac Gwennie and Ballycowen Daisy. The former is very fast and can’t be dismissed, although she does need to produce one of her better starts to turn close enough. Ballycowen Daisy will be a big price.
It’s a tremendous contest but preference is for Getup The Boy. There is a chance he could turn closer than normal and is selected to pick up Hackey Mattie.
BROWNE WITH THE DRAW TO SPRINT CLEAR
The WRF Sprint is the second race on the card and an ideal draw on the fence could make the difference for Stonepark Browne.
One of the best sprinters in training, he returns after a short layoff but recently moved well in a solo at Limerick.
Of course, given the nature of sprinting, he needs to be at his sharpest at trap rise or else he could find himself in trouble as recent Fair Warrior winner Gem Friendly, Islandbridge Open Sprint winner Sogna Ancora, Irish Sprint Cup and Laurels finalist Ballymac Brandon and the very talented duo of Stefans Galaxy and Valderrama are all capable of going fast.
Stonepark Browne is the choice to hold his position into the corner before asserting. He can lead home Gem Friendly.
TINA FACING HER TOUGHEST TEST
After a brilliant run to land the Gourmet Island Puppy Oaks last weekend, Ballydoyle Tina will attempt to take another step towards greatness in the WRF Open Bitch 525, the third race on the card.
The presence of the flying starter Brockagh Justine on her inner is not ideal but she can track that rival around the turn before making her move.
Lifford Oaks champion and Derby finalist Magical Mag is a big player also, despite a tough draw in five. If she can come through the bars, she too could race prominently into the turn and would be hard to peg back if turning in front.
Hackney Tango and Imokilly Roxanne are talented but need plenty to fall in their favour. Instead, value hunters could find themselves glancing at the big finisher Ballymac Altobel. If there was any traffic amongst the pace-setters, Liam Dowling star will be finishing faster than any.
Ballydoyle Tina is the choice but she needs to do plenty right, especially in the opening exchanges. Magical Mag and Ballymac Altobel are worthy adversaries.
BOOMER JUST GETS THE NOD
The fifth race, the WRF Open 550, is a real puzzle.
A case can be made for each of the six runners but a return to Shelbourne Park can see Maiden Derby champion Shanahee Boomer return to his best form. A fast starter, he can make the most of a rails pitch to lead the field around the turn.
Crossfield Matt is very fast but needs to brush up on his trapping. The same can be said for Bushpark Rodney, although he did go up better last time. Oreo Ollie is a very interesting participant on his return after an enforced layoff.
He was given a yellow card when last seen in the semi-finals of the Derby but is clearly respected in this contest. Bubbly Charger is also a big player of coming away racing, while the strong running Mydras Opinion completes a good field.
Shanahee Boomer is chosen to lead home Crossfield Matt and Bubbly Charger, although this is a race of countless possibilities.
POPPY CAN JUSTIFY SHORT ODDS
Just five go to traps for the WRF 850 and in the absence of Doctor Darcy, Daleroad Poppy will be a short-price favourite to see off her four rivals.
Priceless On Ice will have room to race on the inside of the track with a vacant box on her right and is seen as a serious threat.
Arrigle In, Oll The Doll and Valhalla Vision have shown enough to suggest they can’t be dismissed but may struggle to match the big two in the market for four bend pace. Daleroad Poppy can lead early to see off Priceless On Ice.