Light Laurels test for Marco
Both will be in action on Saturday night and while Mineola Farloe faces a fairly straightforward task from trap five in heat 7, Droopys Marco has been drawn against Guinness Trophy winner Boherduff Light in the following heat.
Boherduff Light, the track record holder at Youghal and Kilkenny, is one of four Owen McKenna runners in the classic as he attempts to complete a Derby/Laurels double.
He is 10/1 fifth favourite with the sponsors in their ante-post list and the clash between the pair promises to be the highlight of the opening round.
The draw was also kind to 6/1 third favourite Droopys Cahill. Last year’s Puppy Derby winner has only McKenna’s Oran Rainbow as a serious rival in heat 3.
Kilfera King, who went well in a pre-event trial at the track on Saturday night, is rated an 8/1 chance and looks the part despite a trap four draw in heat 6 on Thursday
No Paul Hennessy trained runner is quoted under 10/1 with Tyrur Ted (16/1) the shortest priced of his 10-strong team.
Droopys Ruud, caught close home by Nikita Billie in last year’s final, will appeal to value seekers at his price of 25/1 while Nikita Billie himself, who hasn’t done a whole lot since last year’s triumph, is a 40/1 chance.
Two 20/1 chances to note are Barefoot Maestro, winner of the Macroom Motors Stakes at Curraheen Park this year and second in the Open Sprint at Dundalk recently, and the Graham Calvert trained Balintore Brave, who went a couple of rounds in the Derby before making his exit.
The attendance at yesterday’s draw included Health Minister Michéal Martin and Cork hurling manager Donal O’Grady.
Speaking after the draw Jackie Murphy, on behalf of the Cork Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association, said he was delighted to welcome Cashmans back into big time greyhound racing sponsorship and recalled how successful their sponsorship of the event had been when the were last associated with in from 1977 to ’84.
