POTENTIAL FOR A 1XBET ISLANDBRIDGE OPEN SPRINT EPIC

Ian Fortune

Tonight’s feature at Shelbourne Park, the final of the 1XBET Islandbridge Open Sprint, will be worth the admission fee alone.

The famous competition has been won by some tremendous sprinters over the years and has provided some outstanding races but tonight’s decider is one of the most open and fascinating this scribe can recall.

It is perhaps said all too often that most of the field have claims of some form but that really is the case on tonight’s €5,000 decider. Droopys Scampi and Stonepark Browne were outstanding in victory in their respective semi-finals with both clocking an identical 18.33.

Their reward is a tricky draw in tonight’s final. Droopys Scampi wouldn’t normally be concerned by a trap two draw but the presence of the sharp Portrush Ben on her immediate inner is a major concern. The pair have met twice in as many outings with Scampi emerging an easy winner last week but seven days earlier they raced from the same boxes as this evening and Portrush Ben contained his rivals into the bend before going on to score.

It will be interesting to see of Droopys Scampi can head her rival in the early yards. If failing to do so, she could find herself with a mountain to climb.

Portrush Ben is the best drawn greyhound in the contest and will have some support but he really does need to be at his very sharpest in the early yards as he has almost five lengths to find on the clock with three of his rivals.

These include Tiermana Dream and Stonepark Browne. The pair are set to meet for the third time since mid-April with the score currently reading one each. Stonepark Browne was at his brilliant best last week, making the most of a slick exit and inside draw to score.

A trap four draw is far from ideal and, if he is to follow up, must come away on terms. There is no doubt he has the pace and strength to lead home this field but can be a touch inconsistent at boxes.

In contrast, Tiermana Dream is a consistent fast-starter. That said, he mistimed the start last week but ran a big race to get involved at the corner. Despite opening bend traffic, he came through to take second behind Stonepark Browne.

However, the draw has been very kind to the Colm Fitzgerald trained speedster. If producing one of his famed slick exits, he could be the perfect position to stride into the bend. With the potential for Portrush Ben and Droopys Scampi to bump and Stonepark Bowne drawn a little wider than ideal, Tiermana Dream could get first run.

Bomber Nina and Rallying Billy complete the line-up and both are very capable of going fast but the draw has gone against them. Bomber Nina is particularly exciting and boasts a fifty percent strike rate but she must rocket from traps to overcome a trap five draw. Rallying Billy will be a big price to get involved from the outside box.

It’s a contest that offers so much. Much will come down to the start, as is often the case in sprints, and for that reason Tiermana Dream gets the nod. He is in the form of his career, as an 18.30 return in the opening round proves, and is selected to get the hop of his rivals in the early yards.

Stonepark Browne and Droopys Scampi are worthy adversaries and if either were to come away racing, they could quickly establish themselves as serious contenders. The best of luck to all involved.

QUALITY ON THE UNDERCARD

Much of the remainder of the card is made up of sweepstake action and there should be a number of fine displays.

Carrick Yorky and Turnon The Turbo both appeal in the semi-finals of the Sporting Press A3 NB 525, while Elite Blastoff is nominated as one to follow in the semi-finals of the Upcoming Feature Events A1 NB 525.