Raise your glass to Sober as Kilkenny celebrate a new era

SOBER BARRY, winner of the McCalmont Cup over the course and distance in March, has continued in fine form since and looks the answer to Kilkenny's Nicky & Nora Healy Memorial Open over 525 yards at 9.18.

Trained by Karol Ramsbottom, the selection returns to Kilkenny with back-to-back Shelbourne Park victories under his belt and it will be a disappointment if he does not complete a hat-trick in front-running style.

Other standouts on the eight-race SIS coverage are Michael Donnelly's Paulstown Cash (8.43) and Murt Leahy's Jims Gem (9.50).

The meeting is a celebration of the upgraded facilities which will herald a new era at the St James' Park venue - they will be officially opened by Martin Heydon TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food & The Marine ahead of the gala fixture.

Minister at Kilkenny on Friday for official opening of new facilities

KILKENNY Greyhound Stadium will be abuzz on Friday when Martin Heydon TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food & The Marine, officially opens the newly refurbished facilities. Racing first took place in Kilkenny in 1946 and now, 80 years later, it is delighted and proud to showcase the brand new facilities Each of

SIS RacingJonathan Kay

There is also earlier Irish action at Mullingar where the best bets look to come relatively early in the shape of Oisin Ni-Duill's Kuma Targaryen (11.45) and Joe Campbell's Home Luca (12.04).

Harlow has a Friday double-header with Darren Whitton's Shesomethingels (1.19) fancied to regain the winning thread having come up short in her bid for a four-timer recently, while Sharon Saberton's Ballinulty Jess (6.29) can improve an already excellent strike rate at the evening fixture.

Best race on the Star Pelaw afternoon card is an A1 over 435m at 2.44 which can go the way of Stuart Tighe's Wheatsheaf Star.

Sober Barry (nap)
T2 Kilkenny 9.18