A CRISPY DELIGHT LIKELY IN MERRIMAN MEMORIAL
Ian Fortune
Shelbourne Park will play host to an outstanding card this evening with plenty of top-class action to look forward to.
The feature is the final of the valuable Paddy Merriman Memorial with Droopys Crispy likely to start a hot favourite, while many of Ireland best are in action in the opening round of the Yvonne Barry Track Bookmaker Open 600.
CRISPY A DESERVING FAVOURITE
Sadly, the Paddy Merriman Memorial decider is down to five runners with the news that Born Sassy is a non-runner after picking up a small problem last week.
In her absence, Barry Clancy and Graham Ashe’s hugely talented Droopys Crispy is now set to start an even shorter priced and deserving favourite from a kind draw in two, although the extra space could also favour one of her main dangers, Portumna Levi.
Droopys Crispy comes into tonight’s contest on the back of three superb performances, including a sub 28 second run in the semis. A natural starter with tremendous pace throughout, she seems certain to secure a rails pitch in the early yards and will prove very difficult to stop.
JO A SECOND FOR CLANCY
Barry Clancy has a second representative in the shape of the very useful Not Just Jo.
She won her first two assignments in the stake in good style before chasing home her kennel companion in the semis. The absence of Born Sassy from four means she could have room to race early from a trap five draw but she does look held by Droopys Crispy on their latest form.
HENNESSY WITH A BRACE OF TALENTED RIVALS
Paul Hennessy is double handed.
The aforementioned Portumna Levi is hugely talented and seems certain to develop into a classic contender in the future but he is still learning and may need to produce something special to lower the colours of the favourite.
Headwire Trout also represents the Gowran legend. A big finisher with an ideal draw on the fence, it would certainly be no surprise if the daughter of Swords Rex arrives late and fast to make the frame but she can’t afford to give the flashier types too much of an early advantage.
STACEY COMPLETES THE LINE-UP
Hollyhill Stacey completes the line-up and she too has the speed to play a part, albeit she may need to improve on previous form to really worry the judge.
She is blessed with fine early speed and is expected to go up fast but securing an early advantage won’t be easy in this contest.
CRISPY GETS THE VOTE
It’s a good final although most will be expecting Droopys Crispy to continue her winning ways.
She is chosen to get first run and make every yard at the expense of Portumna Levi and Headwire Trout.
Yvonne Barry Track Bookmakers Open 600
DYNAMIC WILL LOOK TO BURN OFF RIVALS
There are four tremendous heats in the opening round of the Yvonne Barry Track Bookmakers Open 600.
Lennies Dynamic is perhaps the most intriguing participant. He has yet to race beyond 550yds but looks certain to relish every inch of the long run-up in the opening heat.
Back in July, the Paul Hennessy trained star posted a stunning 17.14 for the sprint trip at Curraheen Park, while he has often shown huge speed into the bend over 550yds. He seems certain to go to the front and build a clear advantage to halfway but can he see out the 600yds? That will be tested by the likes of Jacktavern Bull, Coolemount Fame, Ello Ello and perhaps most by Ballymac Siun.
KING SET TO RULE
Oriental King looks made for the 600yd trip.
The powerful son of Coolavanny Hoffa faces an ideal draw in the stripes in the second heat and can assert at the expense of Miami Hans and Barntick Bucko. It will be interesting to see how Oriental King handles the longer run to the bend but he seems likely to race prominently and the extra emphasis on stamina will only play to his strengths.
CAN STAR SHINE?
Waitingforastar suffered an odds-on defeat in his only previous outing over the 600yd trip but he is chosen to put that right in Heat 3 where he is certain to be warm order.
His trapping is an issue but he has the early sped to match any of his rivals this evening.
Droopys Winsome is perfectly housed on the fence and is greatly respected, as are the hugely talented Lennies Desire and strong running Mona Lee Monbeg but Waitingforastar may have too much ammunition.
A WONDERFUL CONTEST
The final heat is packed with quality and is perhaps the most open of the four.
Priceless Romeo was so impressive on his 600yd debut a fortnight ago and is greatly respected. So too is Riverside Rex, who posted a rapid 30.62 for the 575yd trip on Derby final night. He has an ideal draw on the fence and won’t be shy of support.
Throw in the very promising Croydon Web, the hugely consistent and very strong Timmys Bucks, former Shelbourne Open 600 winner Ballyhooly Bruno and the talented Unassuming and it is quite a contest. Priceless Romeo just gets the vote but there would be no surprise outcome in this contest with each holding claim of some form.
A WONDERFUL OPEN BITCH FINAL
The final of the Greyhounds Make Great Pets Open Bitch 525 is also a race to savour.
Maireads Susie and Silent Noelle both won their semi-finals in 28.25, although the former had to win the hard way. A week on, Silent Noelle has been handed an ideal draw on the fence and is perhaps the one to beat. Maireads Susie will need to be at her very sharpest from a tricky draw in four, while The Other Eimear, Ballymac Alexei, Highview Carol and Ballymac Altobel complete a really top-class line-up. Indeed, it is a final six that would be fitting of an Oaks decider.