PATRIOT CAN MAINTAIN UNBEATEN RUN AS SEMI FINALS OF THE LAURELS TAKE CENTER STAGE

Barry Drake

The semi-finals of the €30,000 to the winner Bar One Racing Irish Laurels in association with the Friends and Supporters of Cork Greyhound Racing are the standout races at Curraheen Park tonight.

A superb event in recent weeks, it promises to be another night of magical racing action. Droopys Patriot, trained by Robert Gleeson for owners the Newmarket Racing Syndicate, can maintain his unbeaten record in the competition by making the most of the inside line to win the first semi-final. The classy performer has delivered a couple of sensational performances in recent weeks, and from the inside of the track, we are expecting another huge run. Such an exciting tracker, it's hard to look past him from the plum draw. He has stunning early speed, and he can make every yard of the running.

Liam Dowling's Ballymac Setanta, another unbeaten in the event, equaled the track record when clocking 27.81 last week. He has a huge engine, and he's as quick as any in the event; however, from trap four, he will find it difficult to turn over the Droopys runner. The early yards of this race will be vital, but with the class and power he has, he's sure to be in the mix, and he's the obvious danger to the selection.

The second heat is a bit of a puzzle. Liam Dowling's Solo And Go will start as favourite, but he has a very tricky draw, out in four. Owned by the Kingdom Palace Syndicate, he will need to do everything right early on. Unanimous Leo, trained by Pat Buckley for Ciaran O'Sullivan, could be the value alternative. He is a greyhound with sizzling early pace, and from the rails pitch, he should go well. Liam Dowling's Ballymac Brandan should be in the mix from the outside, while the in-form Lemon Joey, for Murt Leahy, is another with serious claims. Of the others, don't rule Prince Naseem out of it for trainer Patrick Guilfoyle and owner Kim Bergin.

Lennies Tank, trained by Paul Hennessy for owner Lee Craze, can bounce back to winning ways in the opening semi-final of the €10,000 to the winner Michael (Bart) Leahy Memorial A2 stake. The selection displayed bundles of speed when second behind The Other Aari last week. With a slightly better start this time around, he should prove a class apart.

In the following race, the Jennifer O'Donnell-trained The Other Aari has sensational early speed, and if getting it right, the January puppy, who is owned by the Born Wild Syndicate, should be in control throughout. Low Profile, trained by Graham Holland, will be powering home, and he's the next best.

In other races, The Other Mel, also for trainer Jennifer O'Donnell, rates nap material in race number 10. The nap selection can make the most of the inside line.

Curraheen Park selections for Saturday, November 1

Race 1: Clan Sapphire (Lennies Eddie)

Race 2: Slippery Brian (Droopys Graph)

Race 3: Berlin Trilogy (Ballymac Iroko)

Race 4: Rural Ana (Hello My Friend)

Race 5: Lennies Tank (Beanos Yank)

Race 6: The Other Aari (Low Profile)

Race 7: Droopys Patriot (Ballymac Setanta)

Race 8: Unanimous Leo (Ballymac Brandan)

Race 9: Lennies Dream (Ballymac Mint)

Race 10: The Other Mel (Nap) (Magical Hope)

Race 11: Glengar Martha (Riverside Popsie)