A COUPLE OF FINALS ON OFFER AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

With the On Faya Galway Oaks scheduled to get underway in a week's time, Galway Greyhound Stadium host a couple of attractive finals this weekend, beginning with the WGOBA A3/A4 525 on Friday before attention switches to Saturday's Sean Scully Memorial decider.

With €1,300 on offer to the winner, the WGOBA A3/A4 525 has been fiercely contested throughout, but Lissatouk Robbie looks the one to beat based on last week's performance. On that occasion, Seamus McMahon's fawn finished with a flourish to score by half a length in 29.13 on a track rated 20 slow. The son of Deerjet Sydney is a strong-running individual and his draw in trap five should hold no fears for connections. A strapping 80-pounder, expect 'Robbie' to race prominently and he will take plenty of stopping if securing a clear passage. Among his principal dangers, Leeanne Fleming's Hanover pair look capable of mounting a serious challenge. Drawn in trap one, Hanover Gorm is much better housed than he has been in recent weeks. The June son of Slippery Robert stays the trip strongly and, should he hold a handy position at the opening bend, he is sure to ask questions of the favourite. Meanwhile, Hanover Luna has the edge on experience. A full sister to ‘Gorm’ from the same repeat mating, she showed she retains plenty of ability last weekend when making virtually every yard before being collared late by Lissatouk Robbie. She again wears the blue jacket and, if reproducing that slick 3.31 start, will take plenty of catching. Of the remainder, Salsa Fire doesn't win too often but the clock suggests he won't be far away from making the frame, while both Breaghmore Joeys and Ballygibbon Fury are far from making up the numbers. The latter faces a tricky draw in four for John O'Meara and will need a sharp exit, while 'Joeys' shaped with plenty of promise behind Lissatouk Robbie last week and could represent the value option.

RAPTOR CAN ROAR

Attention then turns to Saturday evening and the €1,800 Sean Scully Memorial A5/A6 525 final.

Hollywell Raptor has set the standard throughout the competition and heads into the decider as the one to beat. The Colm Fitzgerald-trained son of Kinloch Brae posted a smart 29.27 on a track rated 20 slow last weekend, the quickest performance produced by any of the finalists. A plum draw in trap one only strengthens his claims. Of his chief rivals, the other bookend runner, Hanover Maryann, appeals as the main danger. The strapping daughter of Hanover Sky won earlier in the competition in 29.59 on a track rated 20 slow but was arguably even more impressive in defeat last weekend, recovering from a poor early position to snatch third. Although inclined to edge wide, she remains a puppy learning her trade and is clearly progressing in the right direction. Alva Chase was another impressive semi-final winner. Trained by Declan McDonagh for Declan and Gerard Lillis, he made every yard to score in 29.72 on a track rated 20 slow and is the likely early leader based on his last two opening sectionals. Drawn in three, the son of Jaytee Jet has a little to find on the clock and will require things to fall his way. Of the remainder, Urban Delight is the veteran of the line-up as a September 21’ whelp but rarely runs a bad race, while Hollywell Spider and Rockmount Kismet both possess the ability to make their presence felt. With the pair still holding puppy status, neither can be dismissed.