Trinity The Talk Of The Town

Trinity Forest kept his unbeaten record intact in the semi-finals of the Irish Sprint cup in Dundalk last weekend.

This is proving to be a happy hunting ground for this Dave Kennedy trained runner who is making the long journey up each week from his base in Hospital, Co Limerick. He absolutely bolted from trap four in last weekend’s semi-final and recorded a superb 7.09 sectional.

Dundalk seems to be tailor made for this son of Forest Master and Inslipsvalentine. His only defeat around the track was behind another finalist Hillcroft Hero! Trinity ran out a length winner over the ever consistent Blenhiem Cracker, who can do it over nearly every distance at every track.

Catherines Drico kept on for third place and is bidding to pull off a big sprint double after taking the Peggy Kelly Sprint in Harold’s Cross earlier in the year. The winner’s time here was a fantastic 21.09.

The second semi-final looked the toughest on paper but didn’t work out that way. The favourite, Tynwald Bish, was involved in early crowding after the lids opened with Slade Paddy which put an end to both of their chances of qualifying for the final. Instead, it was Hillcroft Hero who hit the front after a very level break and showed superior early pace to the rest of the field on the run to the bend; the sectional here was 7.23.

Hero’s trainer John Mcgee is no stranger to success around this Co. Louth circuit and knows how to get them out in these big finals. Trewmount Blue did the chasing here but came up four lengths short by the time they reached the judge; Slipalong Hero safely qualified back in third after a moderate start.

Looking towards the final, I think the trap draw could have a massive effect on the outcome. I have been in Dundalk for the last number of weeks and looking at the 400 yard races both open and graded, I hate the sight of trap one and six. Nothing seems to come away from these boxes, I don’t understand why. So I think it could be a tough task for Hillcroft and Slipalong. I’m going to stick with last week’s selection Trinity Forest.

He hasn’t done anything to put me off him and has a super draw in three and he can benefit from his rivals poor draws.

The Champ To Set The Ball Rolling
144 names went into the hat for the opening round of this year’s BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby. 144 was the magic number to make things straight forward as we have twenty four heats with four to qualify out of each heat. Ten out of ten to all in the racing office at Shelbourne Park for making this happen!

Laughil Blake can pick up from where he left off last year. The reigning champ was pulled out of the hat in trap six in the opening heat on Thursday night. There has been a bit of a cloud over the fitness of Blake but we were thrilled to see him come back to defend his title. Connections would have hoped for an easier opening round heat however. He will be taking on Slippery Fred and Ballybough Mike which won’t be an easy introduction into the classic this year and he is certain to go off hot favourite.

The draw threw up a few mouth-watering clashes on both nights. One in particular which stands out to me is heat 22 on Saturday night where Tyrur Tommy takes on Farloe Rumble. A couple of dogs will be going off short prices in their opening round heats; Amazing Dude, Sidarian Vega and Farloe Blitz all got drawn in the softer heats and in their preferred traps. It will be hard to look past these.

We have betting available on all the heats since Monday evening and we hope to have next week’s second round heats priced up as soon as possible. There are also a number of specials priced up including winning trainer, winning seed, last surviving bitch and greyhound to progress furthest for each individual trainer.

These specials have proved very popular over the last few years and adds a bit of variety to the market. Don’t forget our moneyback offer is still in place and will be until Thursday evening; if your selection is knocked out in the first, second or third round we will refund you’re losing stake as a free bet up to €100!

So Shelbourne Park is the place to be this Thursday and Saturday night for twelve fantastic races each night; it’s the crown jewel in Irish greyhound racing and we are looking forward to six fantastic weeks of action!

We also have betting available for a number of competitions which are down for decision at the moment including the Puppy Oaks in Harold’s Cross where Badminton Maid gets the narrow vote to continue a fine run of form for her connections.

Across the water in the UK all eyes will be on the TV Trophy final at Towcester where Ireland are represented with recent Corn Cuchulainn winner Ballymac Bonnie who is currently second favourite behind the track record holder Droopys Cottage. Bonnie won her heat handy, which was her first look around the track so we hope she can improve for the run.

It’s run over 906 meters so takes a lot of getting round, but one thing Bonnie does is stay so let’s hope she does the business. Keep an eye out online for all the up to date markets on www.Boylesports.com and always remember to #BetOnBoyle

*Prices correct at time of publication