All I Want For Christmas Is Somelittlething

Apart from the National Meeting in February, this is my favourite time of the year! Not because Santy Claus is on his way but because there is no less than eleven meetings being run this festive season.

It’s every coursing enthusiasts dream, two days with meetings on in every corner of the country. I look forward to going to Mooncoin every St. Stephens day and looking at the entry for the Jubilee Cup this year, it promises to be one of the best yet. Last season’s winner was none other than Newinn Wonder who went on to lift the Irish Cup so which ever dog lifts the cup on Saturday evening will have a tough path to follow!

There is class throughout the field this season with a number of dogs in with a chance of collecting the prize. Fingal Master(2/1) is likely to start off favourite on Friday morning after recapturing last season’s form with an impressive win in Johnstown although he will have challengers coming at him from every angle. Dogs like Sturdyandstaunch, Whiskey Galore(4/1), Amys lotto(5/1) and Marshals Mercury(5/1) won’t make life easy for him.

Looking at the All Age Bitch stake here the stand out female has to be the current Oaks heroine Somelittlething(evens). She was foot perfect in her victory in Castleisland but surprised many when she was beat in semi-final in Ballyduff. This John Flynn trained lady will be out for vengeance this weekend and her toughest opponents could come in the shape of the Owen Mckenna trained Killacolla Spice(4/1) and the Carlow all age winner Noirs Caviar(5/1).

There is also a very competitive looking puppy stake being run in Mooncoin which could give us a few pointers towards both classics in Clonmel, last season it produced two oaks semi-finalists. The two pups I’m most looking forward to seeing are Somelittlelord(6/4) and Fingal Yank(4/1).

In Dundalk the Corn Cuchullain takes pride of place, this is a thirty two dog affair and the six champion stakes points on offer could cement their place in Clonmel for a number of dogs taking part. There are four dogs in this field with wins already this season Broadwell James(8/1), Corriga Rebel(3/1), Power Of Peace(12/1) and Blueview Charlie(5/2). Central Investor(3/1) is an interesting runner here, he was beat in the third round of the Derby and is making his seasonal debut after being withdrawn before the start in Edenderry.

If this dog turns up 100% fit and well he could upset a few. Figaro(5/1) is returning to the field of his greatest triumph where he collected his derby ticket last season and knowledge of this course could be vital so this will stand to him. But going on all current form you would have to look at Blueview Charlie and Corriga Rebel both dogs have hit top form so far this season and will hope to continue that run.

Looking up west of the country the cup in Roscommon has attracted the best renewal in years. Current derby title holder With Grim Intent(6/4) makes his second appearance of the season and should come on from his outing in Newcastlewest, he meets the speedy Dale Pinocchio in his opening buckle. Timmys Bins(6/1) was one of last season’s talking dogs but he was beaten in his first round course in East Donegal he will have to find some of last year’s form if he is to collect this tough Cup.

It’s hard to see Janeys Eoin running here after collecting last weekend and pretty much securing qualification to the champion stakes. Kilkeale Hero(3/1) is one of the fastest dogs in training over the past few seasons but he is injury prone, he has only been beaten once in his career and that came in the derby semi-final to Thomas The Tank, if he can put them injury’s behind him he could take a lot of beating here. I think he can come out of the bottom half of the draw here. I’m going to side with the Derby champion on this occasion however and we hope it’s a good few days for the McManus family both on the doggy front and the horsey front!

In Tralee the kingdom cup looks between Kyle Roger(6/4) and Lineroad Amigo(4/1). A win here for either of these two dogs will book their place in the draw for the champion stakes.
Elsewhere around the country there is top class action in Wexford, Co Cork, Borrisoleigh, South Clare and Open coursing action is in Roseberry.

I was in North Kilkenny last weekend and witnessed some fantastic coursing. The Oaks trial stake winner Skellig Starwars was most impressive in her victory she has been introduced into the oaks market at 20/1. This win further boosts the form of Boshski (12/1) who beat Skellig in the third round in Doon. The derby trial stake winner Defacto didn’t put a foot wrong throughout the stake and showed great guts in the final to win for trainer Gerry Holian, he has been put in at 20/1 for the Boylesports.com Derby.

I’d say Defacto was the cause of a few sore heads on Monday morning because when you have Big Jim Morrissey involved in the syndicate you can guarantee there was a late night in the local watering hole after the coursing!

On behalf of myself and all of us here at Boylesports we would like to wish all our readers and customers a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Thanks for all your support throughout 2014 and we hope we can continue as best we can to promote this wonderful sport of greyhound racing both track and field.

Best bet : Blueview Charlie 5/2 Somelittlething (evens) double