TOP-CLASS TIPPERARY CUP SEMIS ON OFFER AT THURLES

Peter Farrell

There’s a big night in store at Thurles Greyhound Stadium as the semi-finals of the 2026 Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup take centre stage.

With just one more outing standing between the remaining contenders and next weekend’s €7,400-to-the-winner final, the competition remains finely poised.

Last weekend’s second-round action produced several surprises, with 6/1 outsider Bills Harbour setting the benchmark for Battie O’Connor. The son of Grangeview Ten produced a scintillating display to power home by four and a half lengths in a rapid 28.64 on a track rated 40 slow. Still only a pup, Bills Harbour appears to be improving with every outing and is sure to command plenty of support this time around. Among his chief rivals is Oriental Prince, who remains a major player for Denise Ryan and the Organised Chaos Syndicate. A brilliant 28.63 (.20s) winner in the opening round, the powerful son of Coolavanny Hoffa couldn't reproduce that exact performance last weekend but lost little in defeat after overcoming early crowding to finish a close second. Drawn in six, he is expected to pace up strongly from the outside and will be a serious danger if securing a prominent early position. The other book-end runner, Bogger Tommy, looks the likely pacesetter. Liam Peacock's son of Glengar Bale possesses exceptional early speed and is ideally housed in the red jacket. Should he produce one of his customary starts, he could take plenty of catching around the opening two bends. Elsewhere, Fleeting Moment impressed when reeling in Boozed Wish in the second round, although a tricky draw in trap five makes life more difficult this evening. Boozed Wish, meanwhile, is another capable of building momentum through the opening exchanges and both runners have already shown they possess the ability to dip comfortably beneath the 29-second barrier. Droopys Punch continues to progress but will need to find further improvement if he is to reach the final. Overall, it is a tremendously competitive contest and a case can be made for virtually every runner lining out.

The opening semi-final also promises to be fiercely contested, with Bogger Bob narrowly preferred despite suffering defeat in the previous round.

Winner of the recent Select Stakes at Waterford, Bogger Bob landed his opening assignment in 28.89 (.20s) before producing an even better display when chasing home Bills Harbour in 28.55 last weekend. A strong-running performer, the son of Callaway Pro Am is expected to be doing his best work from halfway and, from trap two, has every chance of securing a favourable early pitch. He faces no shortage of quality opposition, however. Indian Mist heads the dangers for Gerry Holian, whose kennel enjoyed a double in the second round. The son of Ballymac Cashout made every yard in his latest success, recording an estimated 28.37, although trap five presents a more demanding assignment this evening. Oriental King is another leading contender. A convincing 28.51 winner in the opening round, Denise Ryan's charge again ran with great credit in defeat last weekend and remains firmly among the leading outright contenders. Another powerful finisher, he will be hoping to strike before Bogger Bob unleashes his customary late charge. Goldmine Ranger arrives on the back of a second-round victory for Dick Purcell, although another step forward will likely be required despite a favourable draw in trap one. Lemon Herbie and Paulstown Cash also caught the eye in defeat last weekend and neither would be a surprise package if securing one of the three qualifying positions. Once again, it is a tremendously competitive affair and another illustration of the outstanding depth of quality in this year's renewal of the Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup.