Taking dogs & horses
Credit: Pic: Paul Mohan/Sportsfile
IT will be a good greyhound that wins this year's renewal of the Tote Gold Cup, going on last Saturday's first-round action at Shelbourne Park.
There were a number of impressive performances over the 550-yard trip, not least by a couple of runners from the North East.
Moes Tavern might best be known as the Springfield watering hole favoured by Homer Simpson and his pals, but the canine equivalent under the care of Clogherhead handler Craig Kelly is starting to make a name for himself.
A slick 525 winner a couple of runs back in A2 grade, Moes Tavern showed open company was well within his compass with a 29.89 victory in Heat 5.
A semi-finalist in the Alfie McLean 550 at Lifford, Slippery Bob obliged in Heat 4 for Larry Dunne.
The north Louth representative had plenty in hand of his rivals when collecting in 30.01.
Included on the card were doubles for Conor Fahy and Dolores Ruth, with Tyrur Henry (30.39) and Tyrur Domingo (29.78) and Razldazl Lord (30.28) and Razldazl George (29.81) respectively.
Marginal fastest round winner was Broadstrand Lad in 29.76, ahead of the 29.77 posted by Quick Lee.
No final took place for the JP McManus Irish Cup on Sunday after Moot Point was withdrawn, leaving Derby Pines to be declared the winner.
The latter headed the bookmakers' lists following the first round and maintained his position there right until the end. He is owned by Kildare's Brendan Keogh, in whose nomination he ran.
Derby Pines was Derby favourite in Clonmel where he reached the third round.
Leading racehorse trainer Sir Mark Prescott nominated Moot Point, successful in the Irish Plate at the meeting 12 months previously but a 33/1 chance in the long-odds betting.
Meanwhile, there was a significant non-runner in Saturday night's final of the Rafael Selleres A3 Puppy Stake.
Royal Wish didn't go to traps in Dundalk, which meant Pretty Mix was sent off a hot even-money favourite, and she didn't disappoint to maintain a 100% record in the competition.
The Damian Maginn-conditioned runner once again displayed excellent pace to beat Track Diamond by four and three quarter lengths in 28.95.
Leopardstown schooling
When Leopardstown stages its after-racing schooling for horses heading to Cheltenham, as it did on Sunday, we know the countdown to the big festival is well under way.
How much can be read into these sessions?
Of course, they give bookmakers the opportunity to shorten up runners in advance of their 'non-runner no bet' concessions, but as punting tools are they of any benefit?
I liken them to challenge matches ahead of the championship – token tackling and target practice.
These games might show a county team is fit and well, but they can't reveal how a side will operate in the heat of Croke Park, Pairc Tailteann or Pearse Stadium.
The questions will be answered in less than two weeks' time, and in the next column we'll take a look at the Champion Hurdle, feature race on the opening day, March 15th.
- Francis CARROLL
