Boylesports Champion Stakes final night is one of the great occasions in Irish greyhound racing and a big crowd should pour through the stiles of Shelbourne Park on Saturday evening for what looks a vintage decider.
Worth a whopping €20,000 to the winner, it has long been seen as an informative Derby trial but it so much more than that. A glance through the roll of honour will confirm that so many of the very best greyhounds in the history of the sport have their name on the trophy.
This year’s renewal is as competitive as any before with each of the six hugely talented finalists holding claims. Currently, Twoinarow is favourite but one suspects he will have plenty of challengers in the betting ring ahead of the final. In fact, it would be no surprise if One Time Only or Bockos Budsit were either clear favourite or disputing favouritism at the off.
That just goes to highlight the open nature of the contest. The battle for early supremacy will be significant. The aforementioned One Time Only, Twoinarow and Bockos Budsit seem to have superior early speed to their rivals but it’s hard to predict which of the trio will turn in front.
The fact that One Time Only and Twoinarow are drawn alongside each other and perhaps the wrong way around on the fence could have a huge bearing ion the result. If they were to bump, which seems possible, it would leave the door open for Bockos Budsit.
Already the Race of Champions winner, the brilliant son of Laughil Blake will bid to hand Graham Holland a third win in the competition after the successes of Sidarian Vega and Clares Rocket. Much like his previous winners, Bockos Budsit has stunning early dash.
Droopys Nice One and Sentimental Lad fall into the powerful galloper category. Both can go up strongly but are noted more for their all-round pace. Sentimental Lad is actually the track record holder for the 575yd trip and ran on well to deny Bockos Budsit in the semis.
On that occasion he turned a close second. Whether he can turn as close this evening is open or debate. Droopys Nice One actually won her semi-final. She too can go up fast but may struggle to dictate. If she is to win, she may need a career best effort.
Beach Avenue completes the field and there would be no more popular winner. A massive finisher, he has gone close on the big stage so many times in the past. He was actually fourth in the Champion Stakes last year and could easily better that finish if the gaps appear at the right time.
It’s a wonderful final to what has been a tremendous competition and picking a winner is far from an easy task. Bockos Budsit is a tentative choice but he needs to be paw-perfect to emerge on top.
It’s not the only final up for decision at the famous Ringsend venue on Saturday. The undercard is headed by the final of the Boylesports Champion Plate and it looks a fascinating contest. Born Warrior, Deadly Showtime and Da Bold Freddie will dominate the betting and it’s difficult to see beyond the trio.
All three are relatively well housed but Born Warrior seems most likely to receive a clear passage in the early yards. If showing his tremendous early dash, he could take control before halfway.
There are a number of wonderful races on the undercard including an Open 550 which should provide a number of Derby clues. Part Blake, Good Cody and Coolavanny Hoffa are very special and the three meet in what should be belter.
Coolavanny Hoffa has been making waves in recent weeks and will appreciate the longer run to the turn. If he can strike the front before the corner, expect him to send out another warning to his potential Derby rivals.
If you don’t want to miss any of the action, why not venture down to Shelbourne Park. If you can’t make it, you can watch it live on RPGTV which is available on the Sporty Stuff channel on the Sky platform on 437.
Up the road at Dundalk, the cream of Ireland’s sprinting talent will be in action in the quarter finals of the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup. The sprint classic has already provided some tremendous racing and the undoubted star to date has been Serene Ace.
He faces Flashing Willow for the third time in the opening heat and will again need to be at his very sharpest at traps with his rival seemingly returning to his very best form with each outing. It could get closer than many expect. Fantasy Reece is no back number either. After winning his first two assignments in the competition, he too could get involved.
The remaining heats are also packed with quality with the nod going to Shancol Johnny, Fantasy Jesse and Hawkfield Ozark.
SEE ALSO: USA Legend Heather O'Reilly Exits Retirement To Join Shelbourne
