Music looks the part in Laurels decider
It is quality all-open fare all the way from the intriguing opening unraced final to the concluding 525.
Unfortunately the Jerry Griffin trained St Louis Charlie cannot take his place but the remaining quintet should guarantee an epic race. Even the outsider of the party, Varra Captain, was only beaten narrowly in the St Leger final at Limerick giving an indication of the quality of the field.
It’s going to be an intriguing run to the bend and the race the race is likely to be decided here.
If Leeview Jet can repeat his 3.25s sectional of last weekend he would clearly be the one to beat and trap three should be absolutely ideal for the Graham Holland trained dog, owned by the Delaney family from Ballincollig.
Deerfield Music would appear to be perfectly positioned in the inside box but he will have to avoid Beaming Dilemma who is likely to head for the rails early on. . If he does then he has the class to win and provide Fr Bryan Dalton with a great fillip as he undergoes medical treatment in Florida.
Which leaves us with Razldazl Rioga, trained by all-conquering Dolores Ruth for Micheal O Muircheartaigh, who received the dog as a retirement present from the IGB? It could turn out to be a fantastic gift if the dog claims this classic and the €30,000 that goes with it! He didn’t make his fastest start last week but is well capable of leading and is getting this 525 trip well.
Leeview Jet looks the one to be on but I get the idea that this is a race which would provide a different outcome if it was run five occasions!
The supporting race that really catches the attention is the Im Slippy Kennels Puppy 525 where Paul Hennessy’s Rattlin Goldstar will be opposed by Puppy Derby runner-up Callums Flash, Consolation winner Shaneboy Spencer and the brilliant Holland prospect Cabra Noel.
The Laurels winner or the best placed finalist will also earn a bonus of an invitation to the Red Mills Waterford Masters with exemption into the semi-finals. Derby runner-up Dream Walker has already accepted one position and the third exemption will be claimed by the winner of the Local Qualifier at Kilcohan Park on Saturday.
Meanwhile the brilliant Puppy Derby winner Sparta Maestro is definitely on course for the 550 yard event. It will mark the dog’s eagerly awaited first run over 550 yards and he has plenty of experience of the circuit. Whatever happens in the Masters, that will end his 2011 campaign.
The Youghal card tomorrow includes the semi-finals of the Red Mills Southern Sprint and the semi-finals of the Ned Walsh Memorial. Pat Guilfoyle had the bad luck of seeing his two fancied contenders Shoemakers Lad and Magical Rover drawn in opposition in the first heat but they can finish in that order while Kieran Lynch’s Butterbridge Pam and Sheila Devoy’s Ambitious Vinnie can lead them home in the other heats.
Also tomorrow the first round of the Michael Fitzpatrick Newbridge Oaks will be run and this is a high class competition with Marie Gilbert’s Oaks runner-up Mozzletoff looking the night’s banker.
Limerick’s meeting tomorrow features the semi-finals of the Farley Turbo Mini Open/A1 525 and Declan Byrne’s Coolard Chief can lead home Tynwald Quid in the first while Brendan Moore’s Ogie Tom can add to an impressive strike rate in the second heat. Saturday’s meeting at Limerick will be a fundraiser for St Gabriel’s School & Centre and will include four finals.
Shelbourne on Saturday features the final of the Mannion Builders Supplies Open 750. New staying recruits Shaneboy Fantasy and Peggys Style will be very much to the fore while well housed Welesbourne Dan also comes into it very strongly. It is difficult to oppose Des Kiely’s Shaneboy.
There should be very interesting fare at Clonmel on Sunday where the second round of the Munster Puppy Cup will be run. One that might pay to follow from an ideal inside draw is Pat Buckley’s Puppy Derby finalist Incitatus which will be finishing like an express in Heat 3.
The final of the Black Shaw A1 550 will be run at Tralee tomorrow while set to start next Friday is the Kerry Group County Championship Open 550. The Irish Grand National will commence at Harold’s Cross on Monday night with six UK trained jumpers among the 18 entries.
