The Champ Returns For Easter Cup

The current BoyleSports Derby champion Laughil Blake (7/4) made a sensational return into action on Saturday night in the opening heat of the Dandelion Bar & Nightclub Easter Cup.

His trademark early pace carried him clear to the opening bend and the race was as good as over at this point. He raced clear to win by three and a half lengths in 29.55, he didn’t seem to run as wide off the last corner and the run is sure to bring Michael O’Donovan’s charge on a tonne.

The fastest time of the round came from the Larry Dunne owned and trained Slippery Fred (7/1) who stopped the clock in a fantastic 29.49. This son of Brett Lee has already put in a few super runs in 2015 and went off a well-supported even money favourite on the night, his 3.37 sectional was best of the night.

Sidarian Blaze (6/1) took the last heat in 29.67, he didn’t take one of his better starts but his early took him to the front around the opening two turns and built up an eight length lead into the third corner, at this stage Droopys Nidge (9/2) was getting into full flight and had his sights set on the leader but Blaze ran out a two length winner when the line came. Nidge ran an absolute screamer in second place and have no doubt that this Robert Gleeson trained runner will improve a lot from this outing.

The draw was done after racing on Saturday and what a race we have in the third heat, there is going to be an unreal race to the corner. Sidarian Blaze, Slippery Fred and Laughil Blake all heat winners are drawn together and then throw in Service Station (25/1) drawn in trap one into the equation and we have a race to the first bend! Paradise Maverik (12/1) is a dog to look out for on Saturday night, he has a perfect draw and will take all the beating in his heat

In Curraheen Park we are down to the semi-finals of the Super Sprint and it’s very hard to look past the top two in the betting Farloe Blitz (7/4) and Crown Champ (11/4). Blitz’s trainer Owen McKenna is using this competition as a stepping stone towards a crack at the English Derby, Blitz is unbeaten thus far in Cork and looks to have the winning of his semi-final too.

He has drawn the red jacket this weekend and is drawn beside Business Scholar (16/1) who will move to the middle of the track on the run to the corner, so with a level start Blitz can run riot on the inside. Noted sprinter Crown Champ can take the second semi-final, this Aidan McVeigh trained runner is a true professional at the boxes and he should be in command by the first turn. Champs price at 11/4 looks very tasty because if he even just qualifies he will be a lot shorter than that in the final.

We are down to the final stage of the GMHD Juvenile Classic in Tralee. Three kennels make up the six finalists with the kennels of Graham Holland, Noel Browne and Liam Dowling all having two each. Sidarian Vega tops the market at 4/5, he is unbeaten so far and has the draw in the final. He is yet to take a flyer from traps but has a fine turn of early pace, his trainer is trying to make it two in a row after taking it last year with Vans Viking. I don’t think it’s all going to be one way traffic for Vega however as trap one Coolavanny Slip (8/1) really stays on strong so any slip up and he will be there to pounce.

Trap five Ballymac Matt (5/1) is the biggest loser in our book, this local runner has yet to put it all together but I have no doubt there is a big run in this youngster if he does things right. The only certain thing is we will be hearing a lot about these pups in the next twelve months!

WEE MAN FROM NEWRY
That man from Newry, Brendan Matthews, done it again this weekend in Limerick, he took his eight Irish Cup with Needham Work and also took the Irish Plate for good measure with his litter brother Needham Simple. Brendan also nominated the winner making it a very good payday for all in Townview kennels.

Work was impressive throughout the stake and went through the season with a 100% strike rate, 15 courses and 15 wins. You have to take your hat off to connections for having so much patience with this son of Bexhill Eoin and Gadget Girl, he never ran in his puppy season and was wrapped up in cotton wool until this year.

Brendan and his son Damien knew exactly what they had on their hands and the wait paid off. The puppy Blades Of Hope was a credit to his owners and his trainer Gerry Holian and put in a few mighty runs on his path to the final. He will be at the top of many peoples fantasy coursing teams next season.

The iron dog Blueview Charlie was a very popular winner of the Irish Purse, this was his second big win of the year after taking the Champion Stakes only four weeks ago. Redhaired Mary was declared winner of the Bitch Stake after Boshski was withdrawn after her semi-final.

Mary had plenty of support in the stands and word has it there was a very late party in Listowel on Sunday night! So there you have it another successful year over, well done to County Limerick Coursing Club for ending the year on a good note. Only another 207 sleeps until next season!