Vic gets vote for Laurels follow-up

Ballymac Vic, who was beginning to make a real impact on the Irish Derby when his challenge was cut short at the quarter-final stage, came out on top in the hottest of last Saturday night’s opening-round heats of the Connolly’s Red Mills Irish Laurels at Curraheen Park and he rates nap material to follow up this evening.

Liam Dowling’s dog was on the heels of the leaders when left in front at the second bend in Saturday’s heat but the pace he showed to assert his superiority was devastating, and it’s that which makes him the one to beat this time.

Drawn two in the sixth heat, he should have little trouble getting the better of the red-jacketed Allen Master in the early stages and, as long as he can prevent fellow first-round heat winner Shaneboy Spencer from taking his ground on the run-up, he should come home clear. Allen Master gets the nod to chase the selection home.

Arguably, the clash of the night comes in the opening heat where Derby runner-up Cuil Cougar, Lee Strand winner Money Talks, Macroom Motor Services Stake winner Cashen Mafuma and useful bitch Blue Jet Sky make up the four-strong field in the absence of Black Warrior from trap two and Sunvalley John from six.

Cuil Cougar found early trouble and scraped through his first-round assignment but he will surely play a more prominent role this time.

However, the lightly raced and ultra-progressive Money Talks overcame a slight speed wobble to run out a handsome winner of his heat and he appeals as one with plenty more to give.

Paul Hennessy’s dog has terrific early pace and has improved with each of his three runs around this track. He is ideally drawn in the middle and if he can get the better of the early exchanges, he should be able to hold the run of Cuil Cougar.

Knockglass Billy produced the performance of the opening round with a faultless display that saw him clear early and home alone in a brilliant 28.15.

Martin Murphy’s dog looks to have an ideal draw in the third heat and that gives him an edge over Cox Cup and Dundalk International winner Quail Hollow.

The latter runs a middle course throughout, which isn’t the ideal modus operandi at this track, but he’s entitled to come on for last week’s very promising effort and he can give the selection plenty to think about.

Heat seven should develop into a match between Tipperary Cup winner Boherna House and Vedfield Emperor, both of which made a winning start to their Laurels campaign. The run to the bend is the winning of this race and Vedfield Emperor, who can improve vastly on last week’s effort, warrants the selection.