In a week when the when the finals of the Sporting Press Irish Oaks, the Bettor.com Northern Irish Derby and the Track Supporters Munster Derby will be run, another major event will be the semi-finals of the Betdaq Race of Champions at Tralee on Friday.

The early yards are absolutely crucial in tonight’s final of the Macroom Motor Services Stake and favourite Cashen Mafuma will need to be on his toes to avoid trouble if North Bound repeats his antics of the semi-finals.

Graham Holland’s domination of the Macroom Motor Services Stake continued on Saturday night as he claimed both semi-finals, courtesy of Riverside Cashen and Murralli Junior.

Jacobs Courage can supplement last weekend’s opening-round success when he contests the first semi-final of the Macroom Motor Services Stake.

The contest of the night at Shelbourne this evening is the opening semi-final of the Betfair 600. Likely favourite Tibetan Skies will need to be sharper at traps than he has been in his last two outings.

The week started on a very encouraging note with news of Red Mills’ sponsorship of the Irish Laurels at Curraheen Park for a three year period. It is a great boost for the sport in the south and will allow all involved to plan well into the future.

The dreadful weather conditions yesterday made things difficult for some trainers heading for the English Derby at Wimbledon which starts tomorrow night with 11 Irish runners in action in the first session.

Broadstrand Lad and Tyrur Big Mike may have turned four years of age last weekend, but the two brilliant performers retain every ounce of their ability if their latest displays in the Easter Cup are an accurate indication.

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.

You could call this weekend the calm before the storm but it will still be a busy few days with top action at a number of venues.

Rarely have we approached a season with greater expectations than this year.

LARRY Dunne’s Slippery Bob turned the opening heat of the Billy Mulvaney Snr and Jnr Memorial Open 600 at Shelbourne on Saturday into a procession with an impressive display of front running.