Panther can further boost Derby prospects

Thursday, July 12, 2012

There should be a huge crowd in Dundalk this evening where Milldean Panther returns to action in the Boylesports International .

John O’Flynn Jnr’s brilliant tracker has been off the track since winning the Formula One Grand Prix at Curraheen back on April 21 but connections believe his back problems are behind him. His trial runs have been very encouraging and a bigger problem for a confirmed inside seed may be the trap six draw.

There are no cross channel entries but it does feature six home stars and the Panther’s rivals include the Derby, Oaks, Betfair 600 and Cox Cup champions as well as the Oaks runner-up and that illustrates the quality of this field.

Razldazl George probably has the best draw but he may not have the early pace to match Milldean Tally and Cabra Millie and progressive Quail Hollow. George’s litter brother Kingo is no slouch to the bend either.

However, it’sdifficult to oppose Milldean Panther and he can further boost his Derby prospects by leading home Razldazl George.

There will be classic action at Harold’s Cross tomorrow where the final of the Gain Feeds Corn Cuchulainn will be run.

Half the field will represent trainer Pat Buckley and, while well drawn Lisnakill Jack and Navarone both have their chances, Incitatus is surely his number one hope.

The problem with Incitatus is getting around the opening bend in contention and trap five could be just ideal for him despite his seeding. If he is in touch with a circuit to go he will probably go on to victory.

But the inside three of Shaneboy Dream, Dogwithacollar and Stallone Bart will carry the bulk of the money. Shaneboy has a very good draw but it’s to Bridie Moore’s Stallone Bart and Chris Houlihan’s Dogwithacollar that I look for the potential winner. Whichever of this pair lead around the second bend could go on to take the €12,500 prize.

The semi-finals of the Townviewfoods.com sponsored Champion Stakes and Champion Plate will be run at Shelbourne on Saturday.

I’s s a case of champions taking on champions in every heat with Sparta Maestro and Tyrur Big Mike side by side in the second heat and with some of the best in training in opposition.

Ballymac Vic is the best drawn dog in trap one in Heat 3 and yet he has to take on Derby winners Barefoot Allstar and Tyrur McGuigan. The opening heat could probably have the reigning champion Uncle Eoin as the outsider of the field!

Townviewfoods.com Champion Stakes

Heat 1: 1 Rockchase Bullet; 2 Tibetan Skies; 3 Razldazl Bugatti; 4 Tyrur Willyjoe (m); 5 Royal Patrol (w); 6 Uncle Eoin (w).

Heat 2: 1 Droopys Jet; 2 Power Of God; 3 Milldean Tally; 4 Razldazl Jayfkay; 5 Tyrur Big Mike; 6 Sparta Maestro (w).

Heat 3: 1 Ballymac Vic; 2 Razldazl Barack; 3 Eabhas Fantasy; 4 Coolykereen Imp; 5 Barefoot Allstar (m); 6 Tyrur McGuigan (m).

Townviewfoods.com Champion Plate

Heat 1: 1 Razldazl Apollo; 2 Danmar Benny; 3 Lolos Joe; 4 Airforce Frankie (m); 5 Tyrur Justin (m); 6 Crossfield Star (w).

Heat 2: 1 Killbarry Rover; 2 Cuil Cougar; 3 Tyrur Blanche; 4 Dusseldorf; 5 Droopys Comedian (m); 6 Camas (w).

Heat 3: 1 Ballybough Hawke; 2 Barefoot Duke; 3 Tyrur Sugar Ray; 4 Razldazl Luke; 5 Swift Marathon; 6 Stay Thirsty (m).

Saturday’s card at Curraheen will feature the semi-finals of the O’Riordan Brothers Tarmacadam A3 Tri-Distance as well as the Burgess Getting Out A1 550 and the GOBA Saturday Special 2 575. Next week’s Burgess Getting Out race will be an Open 525 while the GOBA Special will be an A1 525. There will be a one-off Novice 750 next Friday and a 12 dog A2 (Bg) Dual Distance (550/575) a day later.

& The first round of the €11,000 Thurles Fresh Milk Tipperary Cup will be staged at Thurles tomorrow. There will be no racing on Saturday night due to the GAA Championship treble decker at the adjacent Semple Stadium.

The first round of the Paddy Byrne Memorial will be run at Tralee on Friday and sponsor Patsy Byrne must have a real chance of landing his own event with either Ask Patsy or Ask Peejay.

There will be a fundraiser for Newmarket-On-Fergus GAA club at Limerick tomorrow and the card will include the final of the Syndication D4 750 and the semi-finals of the GOBA A1 575. Then on Saturday Emly GAA will stage a Buster race and the card will also include the final of the Ladbrokes Derby Trial Stake and the first round heats of the €3,000 Limerick Brakes A2 Quad Distance. Home