Spear to throw hat into Laurels ring

THE second session of the opening round of the Pat Hennerty Sales Irish Laurels dominates tonight's action at Curraheen Park and much of the early focus will be Tyrur Big Mike and how he fares in the first of eight heats.

The 2010 Derby runner-up was reportedly retired after being knocked out of this year's Derby at the semi-final stage but he's back for another crack at classic glory.

As well as finishing second behind kennel companion and litter brother Tyrur McGuigan in last year’s premier classic, Big Mike filled the same spot behind Makeshift in the 2010 Champion Stakes. Somehow, it seems incredibly unjust that the dog which posted a sensational 29.28 for 550 yards around Shelbourne should finish his career without a major success to his name but, donning my ever unsentimental punter’s cap, I fear that will be the fate of the once-brilliant tracker. Some of the early pace he wowed us with last term was evident in the recently completed Derby but there was an exaggerated tendency to lose ground at the bends and that’s not a trait to carry from Shelbourne Park to Curraheen - even though he’s unbeaten in Cork.