FLASHING WILLOW THE PICK IN SUPERSPRINT FINAL

Barry Drake

Kindly sponsored by Greyhound & Petworld, the final of the €3,500 to the winner Greyhound & Petworld Supersprint is the feature race on tonight's Curraheen Park 11-race card.

One of Ireland's leading sprinters, Flashing Willow returned to top form last week when setting the standard in 17.56. Trained by Pat Buckley for owner Kenny Glen, the 15-time winner is expected to start as a short-priced favourite for the feature final. The make-up of the race should suit Flashing Willow, with two average starters on either side of him, he is expected to lead along the outside of the track and that should be the winning of the race.

The Michael O'Donovan-trained Echo Zulu will most likely lead along the inside of the track and he's the obvious danger to the selection. In the ownership of Basil and Bernadette Holian, he's running consistently well in recent weeks and another big performance is very much expected. Leading early is key to his chances, but connections will be happy with his draw in trap two.

IN OTHER RACES

There's plenty of early pace in the final of the Curraheen Park A3 Stakes Final and that should suit Jerome Crowley's Aherla Diva who is expected to pick up the pieces in the closing stages. The strong running tracker impressed on her most recent outing, clocking 29.08 and going on that form, she is well capable of recording back-to-back wins. She will obviously need a little luck in running as she will be coming from off the pace to score, but with any luck in running, she should take plenty of beating.

Millridge Byrce can send punters home happy by landing the closing race for Donal O'Mahony. The selection looks the certain leader along the inside and from the front, he should take serious catching. A previous 28.45 winner around course and distance, he's a talented greyhound and a huge run is expected from the rails pitch. Churchtown Syd, trained by Denis Fitzgerald for Mick Crotty, returned to winning ways last time and he seldom runs a big race. He will need to turn very close in this, but is capable and he should be in the mix in the closing stages.

Gwan Nialler can record back-to-back winning performances in race four. Trained by Kieran Lynch for owners Keith O'Leary and Gregg Fitzgerald, the July puppy is an improving sort and he overcame trouble in running to win last time. This is a very similar event and he should have little trouble in following up.

Butterbridge Roc can make it a quick double for the Kieran Lynch team by coming home in front in the following race. A half-decent start should be enough to see him land the spoils.