TOP-CLASS CENTENARY AGRI TIPPERARY CUP ENTRY

Peter Farrell

Kindly sponsored by Centenary Agri, the opening round of the €7,500 to the winner Tipperary Cup gets underway at Thurles later tonight and the sponsor has been rewarded with a fine entry that includes seven opening round heats.

Pat Buckley has proved the kingpin in this event in recent years and he will be chasing a third straight Tipperary Cup after landing the 2022 and 2023 events with Bobsleigh Dream and Pape Di Oro. Indeed, the leading trainer once again boasts a strong hand ahead of the renewal and the likes of Bobsleigh Syd, Singalong Dolly and Road Exile are amongst his representatives, all of which will be expected to go deep into the prestigious event.

DOLLY BACK FOR MORE

Arguably the ace card for Pat Buckley is Singalong Dolly and she has already shown her clear affection for Thurles after landing the Droopys Stud Champion Bitch stake earlier this year. Clocking 28.72 in the decider on that occasion, Gilbert Anderson’s bitch is at the top of her game having since claimed the Irish Cesarewitch at Mullingar and she is the one to beat in heat five. Of her rivals, Ballymun Boy can go well for Dolores Ruth in one, while Arent We All will also carry claims for David Murray in six.

HEAT WATCH

In the opening heat of the night, Seven Beach is the likely favourite for Jennifer O’Donnell and the Beach-Boys-Trio-Syndicate. A son of Pestana, ‘Beach’ boasts an incredible engine but hasn’t been seen on the racing circuit since early March. That said, he flew around HQ in 28.30 in a recent trial and on that evidence, he won’t be far away. Bobsleigh Syd is the obvious threat. Pat Buckley’s charge recorded a rapid 17.42 estimate in Tralee last time out and he will be disputing for the early lead in two. Not the stoutest of stayers however, the son of Droopys Sydney will have to get loose in order to prevail.

Corporal Jack was a recent winner of a smart 600-yard stake at Limerick and he proved head and shoulders above his rivals on the A3 stage. This is a big step-up for Declan Beary’s charge, however, the son of Vic Vega and Ontheredcarpet showed that he is more than capable of stepping up to the plate and this is supported by a sizzling 32.51 spin in the decider. Borna Mick was a top-class tracker last year for the Borna-Syndicate and in truth, was quietly fancied to go deep into several Classic events as a result. The son of Ballymac Bolger has had just one race in one year however, and he will need to step-up massively on his most recent trial. The likes of Tribal Syd, who was simply brilliant on his last outing for Murt Leahy, and the very unexposed Grouchos King are also major players in arguably the hottest heat of the night.

In heat three, the market is likely to be dominated by Bonkersandyonkers and Road Exile, who are two big early speedsters. The former, trained by Murt Leahy, gets the narrow vote given a prime draw in two and he can get first run on his aforementioned main rival. Without a win since April, the son of Bonkersandyonkers has been running well in defeat and this type of stake could be right up his straight. Road Exile is all about early speed and the leading sprinting is also very effective over the standard trip. The son of Droopys Sydney and Trusted Exile didn’t enjoy the best of English Derby tilts, however, he is of the same make-up of previous winner, Pape Di Oro, and could have the characteristics to go just as far.

Bouncing Lad is a seasoned performer that has been mixing it with some of the best for some time now and he gets the vote in heat four. Trained by Pat O’Connor, the son of Droopys Buick has been in superb form in recent outings at Cork and his trap draw in six will not be of a concern to connections. Of his rivals, Velvet Duchess is hugely talented, however, whether or not she can brush up on her consistency levels remains to be seen. If doing so, she could prove a dark horse in this event, while Mustang Sally is also a leading player for Dolores Ruth and can play a part with a fast start.

While Mustang Sally may not be far away in heat four, the same can also be said of Mustang Fever in heat six. This time trained by Pat Guilfoyle, this strapping brindle waltzed around in a slick 17.78 .10s in a recent trial at Thurles and she previously has clocked 28.16 around Limerick. She will be a formidable force in outright terms if she rediscovers that form and she looks the one to beat when donning the white jacket tonight. The likes of Hey Champ, who has been flying around Kilkenny, and Ballymac Murty look the main threats.

In the concluding heat of the night, Rockanes Blake gets the verdict for Kerry handler, Jack Kennelly. A recent winner in 30.88 for the 570-yard trip at Tralee, she may not win too often, however, she is obviously in fine fettle and could get first run on her rivals. Coolavanny Percy has claims in five if reproducing his best form, while the massive Burgess Canon isn’t without his chance in trap two.

START TIME

Owners and trainers please take note of the earlier start time at Thurles Greyhound Stadium. The weigh-in tonight is between 5.10 - 5.55pm and the first race is 6.30pm.