Buachaill’s stamina can prove decisive

While the weather caused the postponement of a few meetingslast night, it seems certain that Shelbourne Park will be fit to race this evening where the feature is the final of the Joe Dunne Memorial Puppy 525.

In previous years some really top class greyhounds have claimed this title including the recently retired Fatboyz Tyson, Melodys Royal, Oakfront O Seven and Killahan Phanter. Even before it became an Open competition it was won by the likes of Disguised, Goldstar Lee and Tyrur Gold.

This year’s competition looks likely to produce another top class winner with Droopys Jet, Noirs Buachaill and Swift Marathon dominating the betting. The first named is clearly a real talent and he bids to maintain his unbeaten career record.

With five wins from five starts he looks a likely favourite, although he will need to be at his very best of he is to account for his two market rivals. Noirs Buachaill was very unlucky not to hand Droopys Jet his first defeat in the semi-finals, while Swift Marathon returned to his very best last weekend when racing clear of a decent field.

Much will of course depend on the start, but one suspects it will come down to the big two in the betting, Droopys Jet and Noirs Buachaill.

In their latest encounter Noirs Buachaill was very unlucky. After leading early he was baulked at the turn before flying home, only to fail by a short head to collar Droopys Jet.

With track conditions likely to be on the slow side this evening, Noirs Buachaill is selected to reverse that form. The powerful son of Top Savings will get 550yds and further in time and his superior stamina could prove decisive. He can pick up Droopys Jet in the second half of the contest to claim the €6,000 prize.

There is also the possibility that Milldean Panther will make an appearance at Shelbourne Park this evening in a solo trial, but “only if there is no frost in the air” according to his handler John O’Flynn.

The brilliant tracker remains unbeaten after winning his first ten career starts and is already hot favourite for Derby glory later in the year. He has been penned in for a trial before racing in advance of a possible SIS Gold Cup challenge.