Top-class greyhound action unremitting
That leads to the Easter Cup, which brings us towards the Oaks, the Champion Stakes, the Derby and the Laurels. It seems to be unrelenting - in a positive way, of course.
Last weekend's win for Broadstrand Lad in the Tyrur McGuigan at Stud Open 575 was a victory for the old guard, as well as being a triumph for the perseverance of his patient but well-rewarded connections.
The near four-year-old, trained by the affable Johnny Linehan for Billy Drake and Vincent O’Donovan will be back for the Easter Cup, a stake in which he finished fourth last year.
Tonight the younger brigade take centre stage at Shelbourne Park in the final of the Joe Dunne Memorial and early favouritism is in the paws of the unbeaten Droopys Jet.
In the aftermath of the semi-finals, the consensus seemed to be that Fraser Black’s youngster was lucky to get the better of Noirs Buachaill - and perhaps it’s true - but I really felt that the dog came out with his reputation enhanced, regardless of fortune.
He drove the first bend with the vigour of a greyhound that deserves his unblemished record and I, for one, hope it remains so through tonight’s final.
Noirs Buachaill is a tremendously fast dog and he’s been quite consistent at the break in recent runs. Were he to turn in front, there would be no offers but there are three flying early pacers drawn on his inner and he may need a little luck to turn unscathed.
Droopys Jet is an out-and-out railer, which gives away precious little ground to his rivals. He can break better than he did last week and, if timing it right at trap-rise, he should maintain the perfect start to what could be a very exciting career.
