Shaw to make most of draw

The first round of the €5,000-to-the-winner Greyhound & Pet World A1 525 gets underway this evening and Tom O’Neill’s Lachteens Shaw, who contests the fourth heat, stands out as the best bet of the night.

He overcame an unsuitably wide draw to win here on his most recent outing and there is little doubt that he is much better than the bare form of that victory. On his previous outing he was unlucky not to finish a lot closer when fourth behind Camas Crash in what was the fastest 525 run at Shelbourne Park this year.

That level of form makes him the one to beat here and he earns the nap selection to land the spoils.

The final race of the night is the standout contest on the card and the draw swings the vote in favour of the progressive Splendid Joy.

Ted McCarthy's flying early pacer had one of these rivals, Sede Vacante, behind when winning on his most recent outing and he can confirm the form. Liveanddangerous and exciting youngster Rattling Joe deserve respect but they will find it very difficult to clear Sede Vacante early.

John Kiely holds a very strong hand in the final of the Curraheen A2 525, where the superior early pace of his Abzorbit can gain the day. The experienced tracker should lead the field early and hence prove very hard to beat.

The final of the Cork GOBA Past Presidents' Stake is a wide-open affair but Knockbrogan Ash may be able to steal a march on his rivals.

The youngster missed the kick in the semi-finals but he had the pace to lead around the opening turn. He was picked up late on that occasion but off a level break, he should build an unassailable lead. Murlens Master is the danger.