Top bets for the weekend courtesy of our sister paper DAILY SPORT
Saturday – Shelbourne Park
8.48 Ballymac Axel
9.06 Proper Heiress
9.24 Glengar Silent
Sunday – Towcester
4.44 Strike It Skye
GREYHOUND RACING fans will be switching their attention from Shelbourne Park, Dublin, on Saturday night to the Northamptonshire countryside of Towcester on Sunday afternoon for two major events in the sport this week.
Saturday sees the semi-finals of the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby at Shelbourne.
Some of the best trackers either side of the Irish Sea have made the two semi-finals and there is major UK interest this year in the shape of Proper Heiress at 9.06.
The Mark Wallis-trained big-race winning champion has a tough trap five draw to handle against his old rival Cheap Sandwiches but has run well from most draws during his time in the UK and rates the value to lead home his odds-on rival in the first semi.
Other fancies at Shelbourne are the fast-finishing pup Glengar Silent for Pat Buckley in the second semi-final at 9.24, while earlier Ballymac Axel might take some holding for the Murt Leahy kennel after an easy win last week. He goes in the 8.48 which is a semi-final of the Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate.
Towcester also rolls out the red carpet for some of the best bitches both sides of the Irish Sea in the final of the Bet365 Empress Stakes at 4.44 on Sunday.
Always a great event, this year’s competition over 500m has been no exception with a mix of shocks, surprises and top-class performances.
Favourite is Silverhill Freya for the same Graham Holland kennel which will be cheering on Cheap Sandwiches in his Irish Derby semi-final the night before.
She has a favourite’s chance after a superb semi-final win but Strike It Skye (4.44) also impressed last week and Mark Wallis’s youngster could emerge victorious in the £10,000 decider.
Monday sees two major finals down for decision with the Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger and Arc Birmingham Cup finals at Nottingham.
