ROAD EXILE THE CURRAHEEN BANKER

Barry Drake

ROAD EXILE rates nap material in the second semi-final of the €30,000 to the winner Bar One Racing in association with the Friends & Supporters of Cork Greyhound Racing Irish Greyhound Laurels at Curraheen Park tonight.

Trained by Pat Buckley, the 25-time winner returned to top form last week, clocking 28.44 in beating Tinahue Pappone. The ultra-consistent tracker is beautifully drawn on the outside of the track and if producing his quickest start, he should prove tough to beat.

In the ownership of R.A.Colwell, if the selection does things right, he should record back-to-back winning performances. Romeo Taylor, trained by Graham Holland for David Firmagner, did well to qualify last week, but he has another tricky draw in trap five and he will need a paw-perfect display to land the spoils.

Trained by Kieran Lynch for Vincent O'Keeffe and Jason O'Sullivan, Ballycowen Bell looks certain to go well from the rails pitch. One of the big Cork hopes, the talented tracker has the early pace to slip around in front. In doing so, she should progress into the feature final. 

Droopys Polish is another Cork runner for trainer Johnny Linehan. Owned by the Boys Are Back In Town Syndicate, she will need to do everything early, but she has a flying start in her locker and she can't be ruled out.

TOUGHEST TEST TO DATE

The opening semi-final is another cracker, with a narrow vote going to The Other Kobe, who is trained by Graham Holland.

A winner of last year's Irish Greyhound Derby, Kobe has delivered a couple of fantastic performances around the Cork venue over the last couple of weeks. This is his toughest test to date in the event but he has the class and pass to overcome it. Winning the all-important early lead will be key to his chances, but he is selected to bounce out in front and make all the running. The Pat Norris-trained Crafy Shivoo is next best. Owned by the M-W-D Partnership, the classy performer tasted defeat for the first time in the Classic last week, but she's capable of much better and she's better judged on her recent winning form. A big run is expected in this and she should feature strongly.

MICHAEL (BART) LEAHY MEMORIAL A2 STAKE

In the opening semi-final of the Michael (Bart) Leahy Memorial A2 Stake, Dynamic Force should make it three straight wins for trainer Paul Hennessy.

Quickest on the clock last week, the flying machine posted a sensational 28.07, and going on that run, he should prove a class apart. 

In the second semi-final, Crocker Sydney has massive early speed and he should dominate from start to finish for trainer Vincent McKenna.