Seeing as not one bookmaking firm has put up prices for the Red Mills Irish Laurels, we will try to sort out the likely ante-post fancies for the classic which commences on Saturday at Curraheen Park.

Two days to the final of the Ladbrokes Irish Derby final and a total absence of any negative stories concerning the finalists.

The history of the Irish Derby is laden with fairytales and invariably one or two such stories emerge each year as we approach the final.

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

Stand by for some special action at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night where the second round heats of the College Causeway/Killahan Phanter Easter Cup are expected to provide some red-hot racing.

Except for a few high profile absentees most of the big names will be chasing the €25,000 prize when the classic commences at Shelbourne on Saturday.

There should be a fine welcome for recently-crowned Sprinter of the Year Shoemakers Lad when he turns up at Curraheen Park for the semi-finals of the Kudos Supersprint on Saturday.

He may have lost his unbeaten tag but Milldean Panther remains the talk of the greyhound world and he will attempt to get back on the winning rails when he contests the final of the €30,000 SIS Live Shelbourne Gold Cup on Saturday night.

Since the deal took effect at the start of January, the SIS coverage of Shelbourne Park racing has been restricted to far flung fields.

TYRUR Mozzletoff became the fastest bitch to ever cover 525yds at Shelbourne Park when racing to a brilliant success in the final of the Christmas Oaks on Thursday night.

RATTLIN GOLDSTAR and Razldazl Will renew rivalry in the second round of the Comerford Cakes National Puppy Stake at Shelbourne Park this evening.

THERE were some superb performances in the opening round of the Comerford Cakes National Puppy Stake, although initially there were few major changes in the betting.

While Milldean Panther’s performance in the final of the Razldazl George 525 final at Shelbourne on Saturday will attract most attention, the major event is the Red Mills Masters which reaches the semi-final stage at Kilcohan Park.

A FEW issues became clear at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night. First, Shaneboy Fantasy and Peggys Style indicated they have a big future over six bends after impressing in the semi-finals of the Mannions Builders Supplies Open 750, while Milldean Panther showed yet again he is a greyhound of rare talent.

WELL, here are virtually on the eve of the biggest day of the year in greyhound sport - the final of the Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby at Shelbourne Park and all is in readiness for what promises to be the night of all nights.

OLLIE Bray can begin to dream of further Derby glory after the powerfully built Royal Patrol confirmed his standing as one of Ireland’s most exciting young trackers with a superb last grasp victory in the ECC Timber Open 550 at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night.

LAST weekend’s Hennerty Sales Laurels winner Tyrur Enda will be returning to Munster for his final outings of the season after owner PJ Fahy decided to run the champion in the Red Mills Masters, which commences at Kilcohan Park on Saturday week.

It is getting down to the serious end of affairs in the Pat Hennerty Sales Irish Laurels at Curraheen Park and the talk of the greyhound world this week is that intriguing fourth quarter final to be run on Saturday night.

CURRAHEEN: Saturday’s card will include the finals of the Irish & European A2 525 and a separate A2 575 Stake.

SWORDS PRINCE will start favourite to win the Tote Gold Cup next weekend after producing yet another brilliant display in posting the fastest semi-final time at Shelbourne Park on Saturday evening.

AERIAL VIEW can enhance his already superb strike-rate by taking the Open 525 at tonight’s benefit meet at Curraheen Park, in aid of Erin’s Own GAA Club.

AERIAL VIEW stands out in the Open 525, the feature at tonight’s benefit meet at Curraheen Park, in aid of Eventing Ireland.

DROOPYS RODGER, a son of English Derby winner Droopys Scholes and also trained by Ian Reilly, smashed the track record when winning the opening second round heat of the Bar-One Racing Irish Sprint Cup over Dundalk's 400 yards on Friday.

THE action at Curraheen Park on Saturday night was overshadowed by a serious injury to Ahane Lad in a trial before racing.

NEVER GIVE UP can make a triumphant return in the Open 525 at tonight’s benefit meeting at Curraheen, in aid of Ballygarvan GAA Club.

Tom Aherne

IT was a notable evening for English owner Laurence O’Rourke at Curraheen Park on Saturday when he won four of the eleven races.