DREAM AND BROWNE CLASH IN 1XBET ISLANDBRIDGE

Ian Fortune

The sprinters again take centre stage at Shelbourne Park this evening with the second round of the 1XBET Islandbridge Open Sprint the feature.

The undoubted star of the opening round was Tiermana Dream as he posted a sensational 18.30 and his reward for that brilliant display is a clash with one of the best in the business, Stonepark Browne, in the second heat.

It is quite a clash and their second in three starts. The pair met on Kirby Memorial final night with Tiermana Dream shooting clear only to hold Stonepark Browne in a very tight finish by the minimum margin.

It could well go the same way this evening but picking one with confidence is almost impossible. There is no doubt that Tiermana is generally sharper from traps but Stonepark Browne is probably stronger in the second half of the contest. It’s the contrast in styles that makes the battle so intriguing.

Throw in the very promising Bomber Nina and opening round scorer Rios De Janeiro and it is quite a contest. Tiermana Dream just gets the nod after his opening round heroics but the layers may see it differently with the possibility of Stonepark Browne starting a marginal favourite. Whatever the result, it should be a wonderful spectacle.

SCAMPI TO RETURN TO WINNING WAYS

The other semi-final is also fascinating with Droopys Scampi bidding to reverse opening round form with Portrush Ben.

The pair were shoulder to shoulder into the turn last week with Portrush Ben making the most of his inside line.

He is again drawn inside Droopys Scampi tonight but there is another runner between them. A trap six draw is not ideal for Droopys Scampi but she is potentially very special and is selected to return to winning ways.

A winner in 18.35 in mid-April, she would be very difficult to stop if producing anything like that sort of form this evening. Of the others in the line-up, Rallying Billy has the best of the draw on the fence. He was just behind Portrush Ben and Droopys Scampi last week, beaten just a length into third. The trio can again fill the frame but preference is for Droopys Scampi to see off Portrush Ben.

A WIDE-OPEN DUAL DISTANCE DECIDER

The final of the gogreyhoundracing.ie A2 Dual Distance is the seventh race on the card and it is a wide-open affair.

The nod has gone to Lamrock Ace but only on the proviso that he returns to something like his best.

He was only third last week but has a kind draw on the outside of the track. Others entitled to much respect include Certificate, Maireads Susie Cashout Girl and Jacktavern Storm. Susies Shadow is likely to be the outsider of the field but even she can play a part should things go her way. It really is anyone’s contest but Lamrock Ace has the draw.

PROMISING PUPS ON SHOW IN A3 STAKE

There are some very promising youngsters on show in the opening round of the Sporting Press A3 NB 525 including recent ON1 Sprint winner Charming Charlie.

A son of Droopys Syney and Susie Sapphire, he is bred to be special and looked very talented when winning his two previous sprint outings in 18.63 and 18.75.

A step up in trip won’t be an issue and he is set to come home clear in Heat 3 where Ballymac Zac is nominated as the main threat. Impressive sprint winners Droopys Bugle and Turnon The Turbo are nominated in the other heats.