SOLO AND GO SELECTED FOR LAURELS SUCCESS
Barry Drake
SOLO AND GO is selected to take full advantage of the inside line and win the €30,000 to the winner Bar One Racing in association with the Friends & Supporters of Cork Greyhound Racing Irish Greyhound Laurels at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.
Trained by Liam Dowling for owners the Kingdoms Palace Syndicate, Solo And Go has done well to reach the decider after a couple of very tricky draws in recent rounds. The big early pacer operates best from the inside of the track, and he was a brilliant 28.25 winner from trap two a couple of runs ago. The draw is a massive plus, and he has the early dash to make every yard of the running.
Ballymac Setanta, also for Liam Dowling, is another with massive claims. The January youngster is unbeaten in the event, and he clocked a magical 27.81 two runs ago, which equaled the track record. One of the quickest in training, he will need to be sharp from boxes; however, if he turns in the front two, he will then take the world of beating. The question is, can he get around close?
Dolwing has three in the final and his Ballymac Brandan, a litter brother to Setanta, is not without a chance from trap two.
In four, Magical On Fire, for Patrick Guilfoyle, has dipped under the magical 28-second barrier in recent weeks, but she will need an explosive start from the middle of the track.
Trionas Tribe, for Michael Wren, has done very well to reach the final, but from trap five, he will need a lot of luck. Lemon Joey, trained by Murt Leahy for the Short Back And Sides Syndicate, is another with real claims from the outside of the track. Impressive in the semi-finals, if producing one of his better starts, he should go well.
BAR ONE RACING IRISH GREYHOUND LAURELS FINAL
SOLO AND GO
A very talented tracker who delivered his best run of the event in the second round when making all the running, in 28.25.
Has delivered two fine performances in recent weeks, displaying plenty of pace from tricky draws in trap four. Goes best from the inside of the track so the draw in trap one is a massive plus. Has stunning early speed and should go close. Probable SP: 6-4
BALLYMAC BRANDAN
A litter brother to Ballymac Setanta, this January puppy has really impressed in the event over the last couple of weeks.
He clocked 28.23 in winning two runs ago and he's another with plenty of early pace. Drawn well in trap two, he is capable of a big run, however, he will need an explosive start to slip around in front and lead this high class field early on. Probable SP: 7-1
BALLYMAC SETANTA
Unbeaten so far in the event and the hugely exciting youngster equaled the track record of 27.81 two runs ago.
Setanta has been the star of the competition, posting three magical sub 28-second winning performances. Impressive when overcoming trap four last week. Needs to come away racing, but has sensational speed and must go close. Should be in the mix throughout.Huge player. Probable SP: 6-4
MAGICAL ON FIRE
Such a strong and powerful running lady.
The pacey performer has really hit top form in recent weeks, clocking a top class 27.89 two starts ago. Another huge performance in defeat last week, running a massive race behind Ballymac Setanta from a tough draw out wide. Trap four won't be easy either, however, with a bit of luck in running, she has the pace to run into the frame. Probable SP: 5-1
TRIONAS TRIBE
Started as one of the big outsiders for outright glory but to be fair, this big local runner is here on merit.
Always looked a nice sort and has clocked 28.31 in winning around course and distance. Has finished third in all four previous rounds and more will be needed to get in the mix tonight. A big night connections, but plenty of luck will be needed. Probable SP: 33-1
LEMON JOEY
A winner of the National Produce Stakes in Clonmel earlier this year, this strong running tracker has really impressed in recent weeks.
Not short of pace, when he comes away on terms, he is as quick as any. A most impressive winner last week, clocking 28.09. He should enjoy plenty of racing room out wide and he's capable of running a big race. One to watch. Probable SP: 4-1
SELECTIONS 1-3-6
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MICHAEL (BART) LEAHY MEMORIAL FINAL
In the €10,000 to the winner Michael (Bart) Leahy Memorial Final, The Other Aari can make all the running for Jennifer O'Donnell.
Such an exciting prospect, he has set the standard in the event, clocking 28.10, and with one of his quickest starts, he should make all the running.
Both Low Profile, for Graham Holland, and Lennies Tank, for Paul Hennessy, are others that should be in the mix.
COOLAVANNY MALIE
A maiden after five career outings, however, has shown plenty of pace and power.
Has caught the eye last twice, but needs to improve in the trapping department to land the spoils tonight. Drawn well along the inside of the track, but needs to come away racing to play a leading part. Much more is needed to get involved. Probable SP: 10-1
BURGESS HAZEL
Plenty of eye-catching form in the book, and has run well in defeat over the course of the last couple of weeks.
Did well to finish third behind Low Profile and The Other Aari after a sluggish start last week. Will need an explosive start to get involved in this tonight, and in truth, that looks unlikely. Probable SP: 10-1
THE OTHER AARI
Hugely exciting January puppy who tasted defeat for the very first time last week.
Prior to that, he posted a couple of sensational winning performances. Has set the standard in this competition, clocking 28.10 two runs ago, and if returning to that form, he should make all the running. Needs a flying start, but is capable, and he rates the one to beat. Probable SP: 11-10
LOW PROFILE
Chasing four wins in a row, and this powerful running tracker is not without a chance despite a tricky-looking draw in trap four.
He has really impressed in this event and he rates an exciting sort going forward. A superb winner last week when running down The Other Aari. Can he turn handy around the opening corners tonight? It won't be easy; however, must include. Probable SP: 3-1
THE OTHER EIMEAR
Improving February puppy and the second runner in this outstanding final for trainer Jennifer O'Donnell. Going the right way, and that was a stunning winning performance last week.
Trap five is far from ideal, and she will need plenty of luck tonight. It looks like a tough task from this wide draw; however, she's one to watch in the coming weeks and months. Probable SP: 5-1
LENNIES TANK
Another with a big future ahead.
Looked like a star in the making when displaying all sorts of speed in the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup. Has run well in this event over the last couple of weeks; however, he was a shade disappointing last week, and he will need to bounce back. Not short of pace and with a decent start, he will go very close. Probable SP: 2-1
SELECTIONS: 3-6-4
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KNOCKEEN DAZZLER @ STUD OPEN BITCH 525
Scarlet Ella, for Patrick Guilfoyle, gets a narrow vote over Glengar Martha in the final of the Knockeen Dazzler @ Stud Open Bitch 525. Both impressed last week, but on the draw, Ella could be the value to upset the likely favourite.
Impressive on Derby final night, the Jennifer O'Donnell-trained Born To Perform can prove a class apart in the 750. With a quick start, it should be all one-way traffic up front.
Curraheen Park selections for Saturday, November 8
Race 1: Wakaka Tree (Bartlemy Lee)
Race 2: Ballymac Mint (Croydon Bay)
Race 3: Droopys Graph (Ballymac Iroko)
Race 4: Glengar Martha (Scarlet Ella)
Race 5: Ballyhooly Bruno (Droopys Faithful)
Race 6: Swords Style (The Other Wild)
Race 7: Born To Perform (Nap) (Boylesports Blue)
Race 8: Droopys Patriot (Unanimous Leo)
Race 9: Solo And Go (Ballymac Setanta)
Race 10: The Other Aari (Lennies Tank)
Race 11: Faypoint Ranger (Shanahee Boomer)
Race 12: Ardrath Ali (Ballyhimikin Rio)