QUALITY RACING ON OFFER IN DUBLIN

Ian Fortune

Shelbourne Park will host their final Friday night meeting until February this evening and it should provide some typically competitive racing with much of the action made up of sweepstake action.

The feature is the final of the Adopt A Greyhound A2 Bitch 525 and there are some very capable types chasing the €2,500 pot. Unassuming was fastest of the semi-final winners, charging home to pick up Droopy Melon to post 28.93 (rated .20 slow).

As a reward for her efforts, she has been handed an ideal draw on the fence but needs to find the gaps at the right time. The strong running bitch is improving all the time, however, and it’s conceivable she will go faster again.

Droopy Melon is perhaps the most likely pace-setter and will have plenty of support if track conditions are quicker than Thursday. Old Princess will also look to turn close to the pace but may need to dictate to threaten.

Pauls Pick and Kazankina will both finish well but need to find a way to turn a little closer, while Highview Dynasty completes the line up but has yet to finish in the first two. Unassuming gets the nod but Droopys Melon and Pauls Pick are clearly capable of pushing her.

PABLO TOO HOT IN REGULARS STAKE

The remainder of the card consists of competitive fare, including the semi-finals of the Bernard Barry SPK Regulars A3/A4 525.

Thurlesbeg Pablo was electric in the opening round, building a huge lead before coming back to his rivals somewhat. He still managed to win by over seven lengths in 28.87. He is the one to beat in the opening heat and is selected to make all to see off Badminton Treaty.

Corcass Lodge can make all to win the second heat. He was a comfortable winner in the opening round and can follow up at the expense of Unquestionable and Town Hoffa.