Solo and Go should have enough to pip Ballymac Santa
The clash of Liam Dowling’s star performers Solo And Go and Ballymac Setanta in the second heat is the highlight of the second round of the Bar One Racing Irish Laurels. Pic: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
The clash of Liam Dowling’s star performers Solo And Go and Ballymac Setanta in the second heat is the highlight of the second round of the Bar One Racing Irish Laurels - it is, arguably, as mouthwatering a buckle as has been seen at this track for many a year - and while it goes against all we have learned about Curraheen Park, the inside draw may work against the latter, and thus preference is for Solo And Go.
The selection is drawn in four and while he has a preference for an inside line, he is a smart breaker and can position himself to take full advantage if there is any hold-up for his main market rival.
Ballymac Setanta is a railer and would appear ideally suited to trap one but the limited evidence of his four-bend career to date suggests he may turn right for the first 25 yards or so and they take a smarter line around the track.
Lemon Herbie may not have the same raw ability as he does but he has early pace and a distinct preference for an inside position, although it is more gradual than severe. There is quite a strong chance that they will rub shoulders at least once and what effect that might have on them is impossible to assess.
In a two-dog race, Ballymac Setanta would be the selection, but Solo And Gol looks more likely to get to the rails before his kennelmate finds full stride, and given that he refuses to leave the fence when he gets there, it will take something special to reel him in. It is truly a race to savour.
Only the addition of Droopys Patriot would make this a better race, but that will have to wait until a later date as Robert Gleeson’s dog has drawn the first heat and has what looks like a fairly straightforward assignment.
Clearly over whatever it was that ailed him in the second round of the Derby, he is a top-class greyhound and can advance victorious at the expense of the strong-running Born To Perform.
Faypoint Ranger was back to his best last time, and a repeat display will probably be enough in heat three. Trap two ought to be ideal and a repeat break should be good enough to grab the crucial lead and inside line early.
Ballymac Brandan is open to improvement but must break better from a less-than-ideal draw, while Unanimous Leo is better than last week’s run but has also been done no favour by the draw.
The clash of The Other Aari and Lennies Tank in heat two of the Bart Leahy Memorial is another race to savour and preference is for the latter, who is even better than he showed when winning by a wide margin last time.
Droopys Patriot (Born To Perform)
Solo And Go (Ballymac Setanta)
Faypoint Ranger (Unanimous Leo)
Lemon Joey (Magical On Fire)
7-2 Solo And Go, Droopys Patriot, 9-2 Ballymac Setanta, 8 Faypoint Ranger, 12 Magical On Fire, 12 Lemon Joey, 14 Unanimous Leo, 16 Ballymac Brandan, 20 Born To Perform, 25 bar.
