Ronin Is The Man In The Comerford Cakes

The opening round of the Comerford Cakes open 525 took place last Saturday night in HQ.

There was eight top class heats on the night with some of the top prospects for 2017 on show. The big shock of the night came when this years Puppy Derby hero and ante-post favorite Droopys Wilbury barely scrapped through to the next round finishing 4th in his heat won by the ultra-impressive Whoops Jack in 28.34.

Jack put his sizzling early pace to good use after a level break which allowed him to clear his rivals to the corner, Wilbury on the other hand done everything wrong early and was involved in traffic problems around the opening two bends. Trainer Peter Cronin enjoyed a super double in the heats, his St Leger finalist Swithens Brae made no mistake in the final heat as he led all in the fastest time of the night 28.32.

Peter has two cracking prospects on his hands for next near with these two.

Good News got himself back to winning ways with a confidence boosting 28.67 win after being in the wars a few weeks ago in Limerick. Drive On Tipp registered his first win around Shebourne Park with an all the way success in 28.46, can he continue Graham Hollands domination of the major competitions this year?

Treblesforshow (28.62), Burgess Dubh (28.52) Michelito (28.89) and Graces Blueboy (28.49) were other winners on the night. Hot Trend and Bull Run Bolt were two hot favorites to be over turned on the night but safely made it through to the second round. Bull Run Bolt in particular ran an eye-catcher in defeat. All six second round heats will take place Saturday night along with six heats of the Christmas Oaks.

KILLIMER & KILRUSH
On the coursing front we have no less than six meetings taking place all over the country. Across in Killimer & Kilrush Half The Odds is attempting to add to his collection of Champion Stakes points, he has already kicked 15 points over the bar with wins at Glin and Galway & Oranmore. Even a place in the final here will cement his position for the draw for Clonmel. Waiting for him in slips however in the first course will be last years Derby runner-up Fury Mills.

He was the surprise package in Derby, but did put some saucy clocks on the board. He is going to try and boost the form of last years Derby which has been extreamly poor thus far. With the runs already under his belt this season you would have to fancy Half The Odds to put him away easily. Ivy Hill Time down the bottom of the draw here is also gasping for Champion Stakes points after his win in Ennis, he can make his way to the final.

In the All Age Bitch Stake Laurdella Dani looks the one, she was taken out of the second round in Dungannon last weekend due to ground conditions we presume. Her first round run was a nice pipe opener for her so will be fully tuned in this week. Coshair Orla looks her biggest threat.

THIS IS HOW YOU DODODO IT
The banker this weekend runs in Balbriggan.

Howdododo was surprisingly beat in Carlow two weeks ago but looks bullet proof this weekend.

His connections had good look in this field last year and I don’t see how it can’t continue. Judiligence and Cuine Hero will be fighting it out in the top half of the draw. The All Age Bitch Stake here looks the most competitive competition this weekend. You could make a case for a number of these, Oakview Banba was one of the early fancies for the Oaks last year but failed to sparkle on the big stage.

Heart Strings won a trial stake and also picked up a Cup last year too, but has failed to run up to that form this year. If you were to pick the winner on this season’s form, all arrows point to Killucan Rose (a litter sister to Howdododo). She took on the boys in Westmeath United at the start of the year and put them firmly in their place. She meets a decent one in the opening round but should have too much up her sleeve. Don’t be surprised if the Carr family bring off a memorable double!

KNOCKGRAFFON
The Knockgraffon Cup looks a wide open affair, Amazing King has done nothing at all wrong so far this year. This Jennifer O’Donnell trained runner has to be a leading fancy. Mucky Whisper was well beat by True North in Ballyduff last weekend, but on last year’s form he would be bang in the mix.

Third season runner Kingcormac Fairy has five points in the bag after collecting in Limerick City – he will be hungry for more success.

Amazing King just gets the nod here!

City Spirit is an interesting runner in the Bitch Stake, she didn’t make her debut until this season. I know she has had three outings already, but she looks to be improving with every run. Any further improvement can see her go close. Satriani will be your favourite here but will have to be on her toes should she meet City in round two. Astana Ruby has a beautiful draw at the bottom away from the big two, while they are fighting it out she can make her way to the final. On her Nenagh running I think she can collect.

The main attraction in Rathkeale will be the talking dog of the season thus far, Blades Of Fire in the Derby Trial Stake. He was all the rage in Loughrea after burning up the field in the early rounds but was turned over in the final. He should collect here barring accidents. Betting for the aforementioned competitions can be viewed online on www.Boylesports.com or call into any one of our shops nationwide. #BetOnBoyle