Money the value in Laurels heats

Tonight’s quarter-finals of the Connolly’s Red Mills Irish Laurels have an awful lot to live up to after last Saturday night’s spectacular fare, in which Ballymac Vic broke the 28-second barrier with a faultless display.

Liam Dowling’s dog will be all the rage in his bid for a follow up in the second heat but this is a truly top-class competition and his task is not as straightforward as his odds are likely to suggest.

Unquestionably, he is the strongest runner in the race and with a clear run he will take an awful lot of holding. But, in Money Talks and Knockglass Billy, he faces a couple of opponents capable of putting it up to him. At expected odds, the value lies with Money Talks.

Paul Hennessy’s Lee Strand winner was ultra-impressive in victory last week, beating a couple of top-class opponents with something to spare. The early pace he displayed was something quite special, despite the fact that he appeared to lose his hind legs just yards after leaving the boxes.

Brought along quietly, he has the potential to find further improvement and under similar conditions to last week, he, too, looks capable of dipping under 28 seconds.

He may be able to poach an early lead and hold off his stronger rivals.

Boherna House posted a brilliant 28.14 in victory last Saturday night and he looks drawn for a follow up in the third quarter-final.

Rachel Wheeler’s Tipperary Cup winner is capable of missing the kick but when he hits it he is very hard to catch. Trap one shouldn’t be an issue for him and while it may not be too prudent to take a very short price about him, his claims are undeniable.

Derby runner-up Cuil Cougar is yet to repeat his best form at this venue and while there’s an element of danger involved in dismissing him out of hand, he does look poorly drawn inside his rails-loving kennel companion Razldazl Rioga.

The latter may be running back in to form and could be the one to chase the selection home.

There are three opening-round heats of the Red Mills A3 Bitch Stake and Ryecourt Fox can land the nap in the last of them. Peg Shanahan’s bitch had a poor draw when finding only Muskerry Mink too good last time. Drawn to perfection on the rails this time, if she can prevent Lads Maggie from taking her ground early, she should return victorious.

Alberta Bound rates a strong fancy in the final race of the night. John Egan’s pup didn’t get a chance to show his true worth in the Laurels, appearing to need the experience of the track in the first round and finding early trouble last time. He looked a progressive sort prior to those runs and he can take full advantage of a significant drop in grade here.