TIPPERARY CUP HOPEFULS BATTLE FOR SEMI-FINAL PLACES AT THURLES

Peter Farrell

A mammoth 13-race card takes centre stage at Thurles Greyhound Stadium this morning, with the second-round heats of the Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup 525 providing the headline attraction.

With a winner’s purse of €7,400 on offer, the competition opened in terrific fashion last weekend as both Denise Ryan and Liam Peacock secured doubles across the five opening-round heats. It was Oriental Prince who set the standard, however, storming to a brilliant 28.63 success on a track rated 20 slow.

The son of Coolavanny Hoffa was five lengths too strong for Lemon Herbie on that occasion and the Produce Stakes finalist will be strongly fancied to land Heat Four. On paper, it appears one of the less demanding heats in the round and a repeat of last week’s display should see him prove difficult to contain. Lemon Herbie re-opposes and is again likely to emerge as the principal danger, while Grantstown Tas caught the eye in defeat for Thomas O’Donovan and is another with claims of making the frame.

HEAT WATCH

The opening heat looks a particularly open affair and could be decided by which runner reaches the bend in front. In that regard, Bogger Tommy has solid claims after producing a rapid 1.63 sectional en route to a trap-to-line victory in round one. The son of Glengar Bale and Bogger Ophelia led throughout in 29.07 and could well adopt similar tactics once again. That said, another lightning start will be required given his stamina limitations in the closing stages. Lemon Hidalgo is likely to attract plenty of support on that basis. Tom Lennon’s charge is a strong-running performer and will hope to break more effectively before attempting to reel in the leader late. Boozed Wish could also play a key role in the early exchanges, while Made To Measure is another that lines out in what is a competitive line-up.

Bogger Bob gets the vote in Heat Two after producing a strong-finishing display to score last weekend. The recent Select Stakes winner powered down the back straight before wearing down his rival to score by two lengths in 28.89. The performance suggested that the son of Callaway Pro Am still has more to offer and his draw in trap two looks ideal. Droopys Map rates the chief threat despite a below-par effort in round one. Con Guiney’s charge scraped through in fourth, but it would be dangerous to dismiss the Connacht Derby winner on the strength of one run. Although faced with a tricky draw in trap five, he remains a major contender. Tetra Destiny and Droopys Punch are also capable of stepping forward from their opening-round performances.

Heat Three promises to be one of the contests of the round as Oriental King bids to follow up his impressive 28.71 success. Denise Ryan’s runner showed a terrific turn of pace from halfway last weekend and the sectional clock suggests he can secure a prominent early position from trap four. Should that prove the case, the son of Ballymac Cashout could again produce a standout performance. Liberty Sport is the obvious danger. Ned Lennon’s charge was another impressive opening-round winner when clocking 28.80 and, based on his slick 16.05 trial around Kilkenny prior to the competition, he is capable of breaking considerably better than the 1.72 sectional he recorded last time. On that evidence, he may well be the one they all have to beat. Sawdust Barry also warrants respect after staying on strongly for Murt Leahy in round one and another bold showing would come as no surprise.