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.

Sparta Maestro produced one of the greatest performances ever seen on these shores when lowering the 600yd track record at Shelbourne Park last weekend.

Last Saturday’s spectacular racing at Shelbourne really whetted the appetite for the forthcoming Ladbrokes Irish Derby.

Invariably the commencement of the Townviewfoods.com Champion Stakes signals the arrival of “Derby fever” at Shelbourne Park and there will be an extra lift to the racegoers’ strides at headquarters this evening where a high-class programme includes the three semis of both the Champion and the associated Plate.

Sparta Maestro is 10-1 second favourite for Derby glory with sponsors Ladbrokes after a powerful display in the final of the Larry Dunne Open 525 at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night.

DESPITE the gloomy economic climate, it has been a tremendous year for greyhound racing.

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.

WITH the Derby now history for another year, the focus down south will now swing to the Pat Hennerty Sales Irish Laurels which will kick off at Curraheen Park on Friday night of next week.

WHILE today may be the eve of the Irish Greyhound Derby final, it will be a significant day for the sport with the reopening of Newbridge Track and also the first round of the Track Bookmakers Puppy Derby at Harold’s Cross.

The referee who underwent surgery on his arm after he was attacked by a player during a hurling match returned home from hospital today, a health board official confirmed.