Inside seed Vic can overcome trap five berth

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.

Ballymac Vic and Cuil Cougar are the likely joint favourites, just ahead of reigning champion Razldazl Rioga, Confident Rankin, Coolykereen Imp, Barefoot Allstar and Quail Hollow. Then would follow the likes of Camas Crash, Cambushmore, Killbarry Rover, Cashen Mafuma, Shaneboy Spencer, Newlawn Tock and Dragon Shield.

It’s a pity so many fancied contenders are grouped in the final heat with six inside seeds in opposition. It is particularly tough on the likes of Ballymac Vic in five and Dragon Shield in six, though I am actually nominating Ballymac Vic to win this heat from Confident Rankin.

We have another cracker in Heat 10 where Derby runner-up Cuil Cougar goes from two with early paced Dundalk International winner Quail Hollow in three. Add in the likes of Fleetwood Saki and Shaneboy Spencer and you have a race to savour.

Scottish Derby winner Barefoot Allstar’s flying sprint runs suggest he can give Laurels champ Razldazl Rioga plenty to do in Heat 9. If Rachel Wheeler’s Camas Crash takes to the circuit he will have a mighty chance of winning Heat 3 and, indeed, the Laurels itself, though I do feel that he would be better suited by 550 yards. One must also fancy Coolykereen Imp to win Heat 2.

Next week’s Getting Out and Saturday Specials will be A1 525 and A1 550 and the following week Open 525 and A2 525.

Phil Gough’s Sparta Maestro is as low as 1-3 to win the Billy Mulvaney Memorial 600 at Shelbourne and he does look a class apart. He goes in the first semi on Saturday where Future Gem has been withdrawn as he has been sold and his place goes to Shaneboy Dream. It is difficult to oppose Ian Reilly’s Oneco Cool in the second heat.

It is quite a weekend in Dublin where the quarter finals of the Track Bookmakers Puppy Derby will be run at Harold’s Cross tomorrow. We could have a terrific battle in the first heat with big early pacers Ballyhill Sub and Isabels Boy putting it up to the favourite Refuge Of Sinner.

Razldazl Luke is running out of his skin but a trap five draw in the second heat is a real tester, particularly with Phanters Capri, Bittles Bar and Negotiator on his inside. Ringtown Snowy has a difficult draw to overcome in Heat 3 where Balaclava Barry and Barefoot Printer are major rivals.

The final heat will see Eddie and Denis Fitzgerald’s Castlelyons Cofi go off favourite but Glenardan is a massive rival.

Of all the unraced and puppy events of late, it is possible that two of the best prospects have emerged in the Gain Future Champion Unraced at Enniscorthy and we could find Jacksallstar and Kereight King fighting out tonight’s valuable final.

Both dogs go into the final with two wins from three and Aidan Denton’s Kereight King has a hugely fast 28.47 run from last week’s semi. This late starter has made an immediate impact and if he breaks as he did last week he will surely win. However, Peter Cronin’s Jacksallstar, a January ‘11 puppy, has done a 28.66 run and he should get a great run on the inside. If he leads he wins.

Talking of young prospects the second round of the Kasko Novice Stake will be run at Thurles and all the talk last week centred on Liam McLaughlin’s Senor George in winning in 28.74. Rumours suggest there are sales talks in progress.

One that has been sold is Steeple Rd Andy and he will race in future for Charlie Lister. But he will continue in this competition under the guidance of Michael Wren and he will take beating in the second heat. Phil Gough’s Sparta Brod could be the one in the third.

The semis of the Langton House Hotel Derby will be run at Kilkenny tomorrow and Derry’s Sharon Hurley will be bidding to maintain her stranglehold on the event. Her Burst Of Magic and Crack Away have impressed in the previous two rounds but the former must cope with an outside draw in the first heat. He may well have the early pace to overcome that particular difficulty.

The Catunda Harry at Stud Munster Puppy Cup will start at Clonmel on Sunday, October 14th and will carry a winner’s prize of €8,000. The 48 dog event is open to all dogs and bitches whelped in November ‘10 or later.

The Kerry Agribusiness Irish Leger at Limerick will follow on immediately from the Laurels with the first round of the 550 yard classic commencing on Saturday, October 27th. It will be for 72 dogs and a first prize of €25,000.

Tomorrow’s meeting at Limerick will have the first round heats of the Farley Turbo @ Stud A2 575 which carries a winner’s prize of €2,000. Saturday’s meeting will be a fundraiser in aid of St Senan’s RFC and the highlight of the card will be the final of the €1,100 Asystec A2 525.