Rio can complete Hennessy treble

THE first round heats of the 2007 Guinness Trophy promise some real fireworks at Curraheen Park tonight.

Laurels-winning trainer Paul Hennessy launches a seven-strong attack, spearheaded by Farloe Rio in heat seven.

Winner of last year’s Reading Masters, Farloe Rio also contested the Waterford equivalent, finishing third behind Si Senor.

Unlucky when unplaced over this course and distance last month (stumbled at trap-rise), Farloe Rio can make his class tell.

Hennessy can also collect with Tyrur Major, a 28.35 winner here and well drawn on the rails, and Catunda Deano, also favoured by an inside draw, in heats two and three respectively.

Skywalker Duke and Evans Boy will have their supporters in heat one but preference is for Trade Plate.

Michael O’Donovan’s runner numbers a 28.79 run at Shelbourne among his three wins.

Heat four is an open affair but a little on Riverside Vieri, a prolific scorer and well drawn in trap six, might not go astray.

Graham Holland, who handles Riverside Vieri, should also be on the mark with nine-times winner Broadacres Champ in heat six.

Produce Stakes third Jacksheaboy can account for the in-form and well drawn Stretch And Grow in heat five.

Pat Buckley’s Velvet Eldorado, a 28.50 winner at Shelbourne, should enjoy a dream run on the outside in heat eight.

Meanwhile, the feature at Shelbourne Park is the final of the John J Casey 575.

Despite a potentially tricky draw in four, Swahili Eile looks likely to start a warm favourite.

The Graham Holland trained tracker could easily lead around the opening turn and if doing so, would prove very difficult to reel in. Of course Line Of Fire and Antrim Classic will attract plenty of support.

Line Of Fire, eliminated in the opening round before coming back in as a reserve in the second round, finally start to live up to his reputation in last weekend’s semi-finals. With a perfect draw on the fence he stands out as the main threat to Swahili Eile.

Derby runner-up Antrim Classic has yet to win a round of the stake, but he remains one of the fastest greyhounds in training. The main worry is his apparent lack of early dash.

There is one change in the final. Tain Lawn, who pulled a muscle last week, is a non-runner and Crackacjack will now race in the stripes.