Lenson Bocko Favourite For BoyleSports Champion Stakes

Shelbourne Park will host the final of the BoyleSports Champion Stakes this Saturday and it’s the 2019 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby winner Lenson Bocko who is the strongly fancied favourite.

Trained by Graham Holland, Lenson Bocko was simply sublime last Saturday to land his semi-final and book one of the last remaining two spots into the final in an eye-catching time of 29.56 to hold off Ballymac Anton. Considering he hasn’t raced since the 30th of November when he landed the Night of Stars 550 by four lengths to Sophies Man, it was an incredible victory.

Speaking with Graham Holland after Lenson Bocko’s win on Saturday, the top greyhound trainer said he was “very very happy” with his performance and he is now 6/4 to win the final, but was 5/2 before his semi-final display.

Ballymac Cooper got back to winning ways to land his semi-final in 29.50 by two lengths after he chased down the early leader Pestana. Cooper obliged for favourite backers at 6/4 but he was as big as 10/1 in the outright before his victory. Trained by Kerry man Liam Dowling, who has three runners in the final, Cooper is the 11/4 second favourite to give Liam back to back Champion Stakes titles after Ballymac Arminta won the honours in 2019.

Ballyhimikin Jet won the opening heat in classy fashion clocking 29.55 as the Even money favourite. Jet is another finalist for trainer Graham Holland and is 7/2 from 11/2 to lift the BoyleSports Champion Stakes trophy. Pestana is 5/1, Gold Cup and St Leger hero Ballymac Anton is 6/1, while Ballymac Wild is the 12/1 outsider.

Less than one length separates all three heat winners of the BoyleSports Champion Stakes with Lenson Bocko attracting the bulk of support.

Last year’s BoyleSports Derby champion Bocko is 6/4 favourite to win the final this Saturday while Ballymac Cooper can be backed at 11/4. It promises to be an incredible race with six top-class greyhounds making up a race that is as good as you will ever see with €20,000 going home with the winner.

*Prices correct at time of publication.

Latest BoyleSports Champions Stakes odds here.