Trend Sets A Hot Pace

Hot Trend really hit the right note in the second round of the Comerford Cakes Open 525 last weekend in HQ.

Comerford Cakes Open 525
After a below par performance in the opening round, this son of Tullymurry Act bounced back to form with a stunning 28.10 win doing a sizzling 1.96 sectional. Viber gave trainer Owen McKenna a nice double on the night as he finally broke his maiden tag on his 12th attempt with a 28.51 success.

Droopys Wilbury was another dog to get back to winning ways after his shock first round defeat. Once Wilbury got his head in front on the run to the corner it was race over. He showed us on the Night Of Stars that he gets the trip and ran out a comfortable winner in 28.39 at a juicy price of 9/4.

Good News made it two from two in the competition so far for Sandra Guilfoyle and John Kennedy as he led all in 28.47; an improvement of over 20 spots from the previous week. Deanridge Milano boosted the form for the recent sales which took place in Shelbourne.

He put in a fast away always led performance in heat 4 recording 28.45. The opening heat of the night went to Droopys Almond who was the opening leg of a nice Pat Buckley double. This fellow is the most improved runner in the competition. 28.31 was his winning return, any further improvement from this lad would make him a serious player in 2017. Whoops Jack and Burgess Dubh were the two big second round casualties where both missed the kick, found trouble and failed to qualify.

Christmas Oaks
The Christmas Oaks also kicked off this week. It attracted the best bitches in training at the moment. Ballinakill Clare left with the bragging rights of fastest time of the round as she blazed around HQ in 28.24 for trainer Graham Holland.

Recent Night Of Stars 750 winner, Airmount Tess, showed us that all distances come alike to her when she came from just behind Skywalker Pearl to score in 28.32. This time was also mirrored by the ever consistent Ballymac Bell in the opening heat.

The big shock in the opening round came in heat 6 when Droopys Harbour upset the big two in the race, Holycross Leah and Sidarian Pearl. Harbour showed huge pace down the far side steering a wide course throughout and stopping the clock in 28.35.

Leah ran a big race to qualify in third, while Pearl ran a game race in second after stumbling at the second corner. Ante-post betting is available on both these competitions.

Holycross Leah would still be my choice for outright glory.

Coursing
On the coursing front we have five meetings taking place. These are spread over the four corners of the country from Donegal to Lixnaw. The O’Carroll O’Connor Cup is the highlight in Lixnaw over the weekend. Last season’s winner Blackpool Kyle is back to defend his crown.

It’s going to be far from easy I can tell you. He is going to have to be on his toes in the very first course against Chubbys Charmer.

All the clock men will have their eyes on Abbeydorney trial stake winner Wiseguy Mark. This son of Mafi Magic and Big Maggie set tongues wagging on his only outing so far and looks to have the bottom half of this Cup at his mercy.

Third season runner Kyle Bruce looks his main danger overall. It’s hard to know if these trial stakes winners will run in cups or not. We will just side with Kyle Bruce for the win.

In the Paddy Doyle Memorial Cup in Johnstown, the most interesting buckle in the opening round will be between Kingcormac Fairy and Its Your Round. Fairy is a cup winner already this season so is a fair bench mark. Its Your Round picked up his trial stake in Thurles a few weeks ago so this will be a fair test for the pup.

Bower Wonder is without doubt one of the fastest coursing dogs in training. If he could manage to line up his hare he would be unbeatable here. His big problem is running off to the left. Maybe with the hare going up the rising ground here in Woodsgift, he might keep his eye on it.

Loyal Lightning is making his first appearance since claiming gold in New Ross. He will be a major player if returning to that form. I’m going to go with Bower Wonder however and take a chance that he will take to this field.

Callanan Cup
Last season Bandon produced Derby winner Coolavanny Bingo. Can lightning strike twice? The Callanan Cup looks a sticky affair. Last year’s winner Carrokeale Gavin will be the dog to beat on this year’s running so far.

Brendan Matthews sends down Carlingford for a shot at the cup. He was due to run in Nenagh but was taken out. He flew in Knockgraffon last season before injury struck, he is the dark horse. Anthony Hussey has a nice bitch in Seaside Sophie and she can make her way to the final here and pick up two vital Champion Stakes Points in the process. It will be hard for her in the final against either Gavin or Carlingford. Because of race fitness we will side with Carrokeale Gavin!

After his flawless display last weekend in Rathkeale Blades Of Fire has been installed 8/1 favorite for the BoyleSports Derby.

There is no doubting this lad’s talent, he oozes class. He is one to be avoided in the early rounds of the Derby. Updated betting on the Derby and Oaks can be viewed online on www.Boylesports.com along with all this weekend’s action! #BetOnBoyle