Mineola Farloeto continue starring role in Laurels

MANY of the stars have made their exits, but that not should not prevent further drama as some of the unheralded qualifiers take centre stage with the main players in the semi-finals of the Cashmans Irish Laurels at what promises to be a packed Curraheen Park tonight.

The shock waves registered on the Richter scale last week after the mass elimination of the Paul Hennessy runners. The Kilkenny ace had so many casualties he must have thought he was watching a re-make of the Dogs Of War. However, expect the kennels to bounce back by playing a major role in the supporting card.

Back to the main business as the chase hots- up for the €35,000 to the winner prize. The opening semi-final is definitely the ‘heat of death’ but you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to come up with the name of Mineola Farloe as the potential winner. Seamus Graham’s star has been a worthy favourite all through the classic and especially when housed on the inside - where he is again berthed. But, he could need every advantage as he is taking on a red hot field.

The astute Moss O’Connor provides two contenders; the in-form Stephen Bourke has another pair and the wily John Kiely completes the all-professional line-up with Chipp Lad in trap six. By the way, amateurs haven’t got a look-in with all the remaining hopefuls in the care of professionals.

Farloe Pocket should give the favourite most to do. He is good value at 11-2 but having lost the advantage of the outside draw, it remains to be seen how he copes with the obvious handicap of trap four.

Jesceda Lad will be on the heels of he fancied pair and is good enough if the chance presents itself. In the heel of the hunt, it is impossible to oppose Mineola Farloe, and his trainer is sure to have an eye on the record, especially as his charge was only a length off the 28.08 mark last week.

Boherduff Light is back in his box, so to speak, in the second semi-final. All his best running has been from the inside and he should avail of trap two to show us the running he is capable of.

However, his sectionals are a worry, 3.51 last week and 3.43 before that. He wouldn’t win with a repeat of those efforts, but if there is still a zip left in his step, Owen McKenna will find it.

Nikita Billy is putting up a good defence of his crown and qualified behind his kennel-mate, Slippery Bill, despite reports of a cut pad. Perfectly drawn, he has a decisive turn of pace if presented with any opening.

Pat Buckley has put a lot of good dogs through his hands of late and got a good tune out of Cavecourt Jon last week. He flew out of trap one (3.31) but a move to trap four could put a stop to his gallop.

Goblet of Fire re-appears in the Cashmans Laurels Consolation Purse and can set the record straight after being unluckily bundled out of main event last week.

Selections

1st race: Satin Sandy (Carrigbrack Dan).

2nd race: Nirvana (Fair Cop) .

3rd race: Vieri Choice (Senahel Agathe).

4th race: Derryclough Vinc (Mothers Luck).

5th race: Goblet of Fire (Honchos Pearlasb).

6th race: Blonde Thunder (Chinook Wind).

7th race: Mineola Farloe (Farloe Pocket).

8th race: Boherduff Light (Nikita Billie).

9th race: Butterbridge Kim (Westpark Zak).

10th race: Dark Invader (Laxton Superb).

11th race: Ma Wee Jamie (Bibs Beauty).