TOP-CLASS CENTENARY AGRI TIPPERARY CUP DECIDER IN STORE

Peter Farrell

After three weeks of incredible action at Thurles Greyhound Stadium, the final of the 2024 Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup goes down for decision later tonight and it promises to be a thrilling contest where strong claims can be made for each finalist.

Indeed, given the abundance of quality in the €7,500 feature, it’s difficult to even put your finger on who will go as favourite, however, given he posted the fastest time thus far in the competition, Seven Beach is the likely jolly despite coming off back-to-back defeats in the subsequent rounds since. Trained by Jennifer O’Donnell for the Beach-Boys-Trio-Synd, the son of Pestana produced that exceptional 1.58 sectional in round one before onto score in a swashbuckling 28.64 .20s and although he has failed in his efforts to reproduce since, he has a favourable draw this time around in five, which is on the outside of the normally slow away Borna Flame. That said, should Seven Beach break on terms, he will have the space to express his sizzling early speed and this could prove crucial in his bid to land the spoils.

BUCKLEY BIDDING FOR THREE-IN-A-ROW

It’s fair to say that connections of all six finalists will be quietly confident of a big performance from their charges but Pat Buckley in particular will hope that his kennel carry their semi final form into the decider. Both Singalong Sally and Bobsleigh Syd won their respective contests last time out with ‘Syd’ winning in very impressive fashion in 28.72 .20s. Indeed, Pepe Le Pew landed this event twelve months ago and Bobsleigh Syd fits the mold of a similar type of greyhound and he was reminiscent of ‘Pepe’ when drawing clear to win in style last Saturday night. Drawn in three, there is no doubt that he will need to dictate, however, he has been handed a kind draw in three and has strong claims of taking home this valuable prize. Singalong Dolly will also carry plenty of support. Owned by Gilbert Anderson, ‘Dolly’ landed the Champion Bitch at Thurles earlier this year and bounced back to form last Saturday when winning in 28.83 .20s. Capable of shaving several lengths off that clock, the daughter of Droopys Sydney is where she wants to be on the rails in two and will be difficult to keep out of the frame.

LEAHY DOUBLE-HANDED

While Pat Buckley is double-handed in the decider, Kilkenny based Murt Leahy is also represented by two runners in the shape of Bonkersandyonkers and Tribal Syd. The former was the fastest second round winner when dominating from the outset to win in 28.66 .20s and he really introduced himself onto the Cup with that performance. Expected to go close last time out, the pacey black could only manage third on that occasion but was the victim of a hefty bump at the opener. Drawn again in the stripes, Tribal Syd must get the better of Seven Beach early on if Martin Costigan’s charge is to prevail and that is something that is much easier said than done. In contrast, Bonkersandyonkers is arguably the best drawn finalist in the race. Handed a plumb draw in red, the son of Droopys Sydney, owned by the McLean-Avenue-Synd, has the ability to ping the lids and therein lies his chances of claiming silverware. A winner of his second round task in 28.80, he chased home Bobsleigh Syd last Saturday and he has the experience to put a real spanner in the works if he can take one of his better starts.

FLAME HOPING TO BURN RIVALS

Borna Flame is the last of the finalists and Michelle Dwan’s strapping brindle lady is certainly no ‘also-ran’. The daughter of Dorotas Woohoo and Borna Central is a real flier from the halfway mark and there is no doubt that she will be finishing best of all in this contest. With fast starters on either side of ‘Flame’, she will hope for potential traffic up front and should this be the case, she is likely to be in the vicinity. A lively outsider, she may not win too often but don’t be surprised if she makes the frame from trap four.