The 2014 Connolly’s Red Mills Irish Laurels got underway with some terrific performances in last Saturday night’s opening round and, based on those runs alone, it looks like we’ll be seeing some sub 28.00 runs this year.

Darragh Morrissey, Paul Hennessy and Graham Holland all recorded doubles in the first round of the 2014 Connolly’s Red Mills Irish Laurels on Saturday night at Curraheen Park, but it was the John Kavanagh-trained Vimmerby who set the bar highest with his terrific display in the second of the 13 heats.

Today’s Group 1 Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes looks an ordinary renewal of the race and there are sufficient doubts about those at the top of the market to look down the line for some value.

Timeless Call secured the second Listed success of her career in the Midsummer Sprint Stakes at Cork.

It was as easy as 1-1-1 for trainer Graham Holland as he sent out three of Saturday night’s four quarter-final heat winners in the Gain Feeds Christmas Oaks at Shelbourne Park, all three racing from the inside trap.

WITH €6,500 on offer to the winner, the final of the Razldazl Open Unraced 525 at Shelbourne Park is the most valuable prize up for decision this evening and fittingly there are a number of potential stars in the line up.

HAVING gone almost overboard with my reaction to his early puppy runs at Shelbourne, I was pleased to see the Pat Buckley trained Slick Seattle finally live up to the rating with a superb 28.16 run in Monday’s unscheduled third session of the Pat Hennerty Sales Irish Laurels at Curraheen Park.

CALLING SPICE can firmly underline her claims in the McCarthy Insurance Group Oaks at Curraheen Park by taking the first of tonights semi-finals.

THIS week is one of the big occasions in Irish greyhound sport with the final of the Pat Hennerty Sales Irish Laurels at Curraheen Park on Saturday. There will be a splendid all-sponsored supporting card.

This year’s Vetsearch Irish Grand National has provided a marvellous fillip for hurdle racing in this country and has proved yet again that hurdling could become popular here if given the proper promotion by the authorities.

A week ago we reported that Tyrur Ted was set to challenge for the Derby Lane Million in Florida next February but there is now a possibility that he will be joined on the trip by another Irish trained greyhound, Superhods Hero.