TRIBAL SYD CAN COMPLETE THE CURRAHEEN PARK HAT TRICK IN THE SECOND ROUND OF THE IRISH LAURELS

Barry Drake

TRIBAL SYD, trained by Murt Leahy for Martin Costigan, can make it three it a hat trick of straight successes in tonight's fifth race at Curraheen Park, heat number two in the Bar One Racing in association with the Friends & Supporters of Cork Greyhound Racing Irish Greyhound Laurels.

A leading fancy for outright glory, the star tracker didn't disappoint in the opening round when showing massive early speed to make every yard of the running and set the standard, clocking 28.01. Drawn well, in trap six, we can expect another flying start and an all-the-way winning performance. Crafty Alejandro, for Shane Divily, clocked 28.44 when winning last week and he's next best. If he's to trouble the selection, he will need to explode to the opening corner and slip around in front. 

Romeo Taylor is worth supporting in race number nine. Trained by Graham Holland for David Firmagner, the early-paced tracker didn't perform to the best of his ability in the opening round, but he looks the certain early leader in this line-up and he's fancied to make all the running. No stranger to big performances, if he comes away racing, which is expected, then he should build up a big early lead and land the spoils. A recent 28.36 winner around course and distance, he's one of the standout selections. Ower Cracker, trained by Pat Buckley, is the obvious danger. He overcame trouble in running to win his opening round heat, in 28.55. A real powerhouse, if he's within a couple of lengths at halfway, he would be hard to hold, however, he will need plenty of luck in running, especially from trap number five, which looks like a very tricky draw.

Evolution is drawn to perfection in race number eight and he can make the most of the rails pitch by bouncing out in front and leading all the way. The Owen McKenna trained runner clocked 28.20 in winning last week and a reproduction of that should be good enough. Crafty Shivoo, trained by Pat Norris, is another super-talented tracker, however, she has a tricky draw out wide. A 28.36 winner in the opening round, another big performance is expected. 

In the closing heats, both the Graham Holland-trained The Other Kobe and the Pat Buckley-trained Road Exile look like they should take the world of beating. Both impressed in the opening round and they should follow up once more. 

Trained by Lucy Roche for owner Michael T O'Connell, Hazehill Bucko displayed plenty of pace in the opening round and he can make the most of the outside draw to win the fourth race, the opening heat in round number two. 

Race seven, heat number four, can go the way of the Kieran Lynch-trained Gaytime Elmo . It looks like a wide-open contest, but the selection could well win the all-important early lead and that should be the winning of the race.