Tonight’s quarter-finals of the Connolly’s Red Mills Irish Laurels have an awful lot to live up to after last Saturday night’s spectacular fare, in which Ballymac Vic broke the 28-second barrier with a faultless display.

The promise of Miracle Mo’s winning return at Curraheen back in July is yet to be built upon but he has had valid excuses in defeat in both runs since and he can make the most of a good-looking opportunity in tonight’s second race.

THE semi-finals of the 48th Annual Guinness Trophy headline to night’s action at Curraheen and the blistering form of the Tom O’Neill kennel can continue with Glenanore in the first of the two heats.

The burgeoning career of the impressive Ryecourt Fox took another step in the right direction when Peg Shanahan’s youngster produced a terrific performance in Saturday night’s quarter-finals of the Guinness Trophy.