Unbeaten Setanta can secure a landmark Dowling Laurels title
BALLYMAC SETANTA is unbeaten in seven career four-bend races and he can maintain that record to credit Liam Dowling with a first victory in the "Derby of the South" by landing the €30,000 Irish Greyhound Laurels final over 525 yards at Curraheen Park (9.24).
Sponsored by BarOne Racing in association with the Friends & Supporters of Cork Greyhound Racing, the event has been dominated by the selection in so much as he has been fastest in every round to date and that may be a more significant factor that him having to overcome a midfield draw.
Clearly there is little margin for error but he has twice won from four in the competition and did beat well-drawn kennelmate and obvious danger Solo And Go by four lengths a couple of weeks ago.
Ballymac Brandan is a third finalist for Dowling but the other main threat may come from Lemon Joey out wide with Murt Leahy's dog set to enjoy a smooth run early to turn within striking distance.
Jonathan Kay
Chief feature on the supporting card is the €10,000 final of the Michael (Bart) Leahy Memorial A2 Stake over 525 yards at 9.46 in which Jennifer O'Donnell's The Other Aari can make all, while other open final suggestions are Michael O'Donovan's Berlin Trilogy (7.48), Pat Buckley's Glengar Martha (8.03) and Graham Holland's Swords Style (8.32).
There are also a number of high-class one-offs with suggestions being Dowling's Ballymac Mint (7.34), Daniel O'Rahilly's Droopys Faithful (8.18), O'Donnell's Born To Perform (8.48) and Holland's Faypoint Ranger (10.16).
Doncaster also offers decent evening action with the feature being a 483m final at 8.34 in which it looks worth giving another chance to David Fradgley's Stonepark Wes despite an odds-on reverse in the heats.
Michelle Brown's Roanna Mamba can complete a course and distance four-timer in the 7.42 over 275m with other non-maiden picks being Phil Milner's Keefill Rocky (7.58), Debbie Calvert's Bombay Fantasy (8.16) and Fradgley's Daring Moaner (8.52).
Doncaster also has early action with Kirsty Grayson's Speedy Elm fancied in an A2 at 11.47, while Oxford's morning fixture this week features numerous top grade affairs including an A1 over 450m at 11.38 where Rachel Hill's Maggies Dream can make it five wins in a row.
Youghal provides the afternoon service with John Hickey’s Mumhan Dreamer fancied at 2.08, while Derek Kehoe's Slaneyside Ella looks ready to land a deserved success in an A6 at 2.44.
Stonepark Wes (nap)
T2 Doncaster 8.34
