Guardian Angel To Protect Tipperary Cup

The Tipperary Cup is the main event this weekend at Clonmel & Kilsheelan, where Serene Angel will be the headline act.

Tipperary Cup
This year’s Tipperary Cup is being run for the first time in conjunction with the Ladies International as a nominators event. It is a joint effort from both Clonmel & Kilsheelan and Clonmel & District Open Coursing Clubs so best of luck to all involved.

Angel was so consistent all last year; only a May puppy, he went to the top of most people’s lists for dogs to follow for 2015/16. So far he has not disappointed his followers. He already has four Champion Stakes points in the bag after victory in Abberdorney. He was flawless on that occasion beating a very strong field. Serene is owned locally by the Irishtown Syndicate, which involves two well-known publicans, Michael Carey and Eddie Ryan, so one would think this was always the plan to come here!

This syndicate have had luck already in this field taking the Derby Trial Stake with Serene Digital a few years ago. Michael O’Donovan has his charges in terrific form of late so have no doubt Serene will be firing on all cylinders for the weekend. Serene is pitched in the top of the cup where his biggest dangers will come in the shape of TA Morris winner Ardmore Rusty, Marshals Aido and Skellig Harbour.

The bottom half of the draw to me looks a match between Cooga Hero and last year’s Derby Trial Stake winner here Arcade Maximus. Cooga is also on the hunt for vital Champion Stakes points here after his win in Thurles; he wants it long and should relish the pull up the stretch here in Ballyglasheen.

He should end up meeting Arcade in the second round and which ever dog comes out on top in this battle should make the final. Arcade just gets the nod. He showed up very well in Glin at the start of the season running up a strong thirty two cup of which the form has been since flanked. Local knowledge is also in his favour so that’s another plus.

After all is said and done I cannot see past a Serene Angel victory. Everything is pointing towards a local win. He won’t let us down.

All Age Bitch Stake
The All Age Bitch Stake here looks wide open with a number of ladies capable of winning. I was a huge fan of Kingtone Jessie last season; she hit the crossbar here last year before claiming her trial stake in Mooncoin. Jessie is as genuine as they come, so whatever beats this lady will win it. Keep an eye out for Rio Tesoro at the bottom of the draw. This daughter of Fives Treasures ran away with a two course duffer in New Ross recently and had clock watchers taking note. Any further improvement could see her go close here. Its going to be Jessie for me.

Return Of The Fine Article
I was quoted during commentary of the Derby last year by calling Timber House “the fine article of this year’s Derby” and I stand by my comments. Taking nothing away from Feel My Pulse by saying this, Timber House left the packed stands in Clonmel gasping every time the clock showed up centre field after each course.

It was simply breath taking. If this fellow is to return to last season’s form I don’t think there is a dog in training capable of beating him on his day on a level playing field. He returns to Ballyduff this weekend, the field where he picked up his Derby ticket last season bidding to win the Kit Brown North Kerry Cup.

Timber is not the only attraction here as last season’s Irish Cup winner and defending North Kerry Cup champion, Needham Work, returns to action for the first time this season. Work is putting his unbeaten record (fifteen courses) on the line and won’t be letting go too easy let me tell you.

This Cup on paper looks a two dog affair. Not often do we see two dogs of this calibre in action in the one event. Of the others in this cup I am interested to see how Oilill Olum gets on. We have only seen this fellow in action once last season, running up the trial stake in Castleisland to Kyle Bruce. He must of gotten badly hurt as we didn’t see him out again. This fellow can run so it will be interesting to see how he compares to the big two.

It’s not often you go against an Irish Cup winner returning to action, but I’m one of Timber House’s biggest fans so he gets the narrow vote. If everything goes according to plan spectators in Ballyduff on Sunday could be in store for an epic final. Please God someone will have it recorded! In the All Age Bitch Stake here we are siding with Churchill Queen. She should be spot on after her two outings so far and can claim the four points on offer here.

Night Of Stars
This weekend’s track action is all geared towards Night Of Stars which takes place in Shelbourne. This has proved to be a very popular night over the last few years with top class action over every distance.

As we go to print the trap draws are not known, but we can expect to see superstars such as Derby hero Ballymac Matt, Oaks Queen Ballydoyle Honey, Ballymac Bonnie, Catherines Drico and Priceless Lassie all in action.

We will have early prices available towards the back end of the week for all these races. It promises to be a top night of racing! Keep up to date with all the early prices on-line at www.BoyleSports.com where updated betting is also available each week for the BoyleSports Derby and Greyhound And Petworld Oaks.

#BetOnBoyle for all things Greyhounds!