DROOPYS CROIA THE PICK IN THE SHELLEY FENNELLY MEMORIAL

Barry Drake

Droopys Croia, trained by Johnny Linehan for owner Sean Dunphy, is selected to make the most of the rails pitch and land the €7,500 to the winner Shelley Fennelly Memorial Open Bitch Stake at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

The talented performer has several top-class performances in the book, and she ran well in the opening round, before an improved performance last week, winning in 28.26. She has a lovely touch of early pace, and that should be key in this. Drawn to perfection, next to the rails, another front-running winning performance is very much expected.

Good Katie, for John Kennedy Jnr, should also go well. She took a major step forward last week when coming from behind to win, in 28.39. She's capable of an even quicker one than that, so if producing that in this feature final, she would be a danger to all. She's another with serious form in the book, and she's a previous 28.15 winner around Shelbourne Park. The in-form tracker is the obvious danger to the selection.

Of the others, Carrigeen Whit, trained by Thomas Buggy for Ann Paterson, also has serious claims; however, it won't be easy from the wide outside. The star of the opening round, clocking 28.15, she backed that up with another fine run last week, getting within three lengths of the Droopys runner, in 28.26. It's never easy from trap six around Curraheen Park, and she will need an explosive start to lead early; however, she can't be ruled out.

Linehan can also take the fifth race, this time with the early-paced Let Fly Missy, for Barry O'Driscoll and Michael Linehan. The six-time winner caught the eye in defeat last time out, running a big race behind the well-fancied Tag Warrior. All about early speed, this is a nice drop in grade, and she looks certain to bounce out in front and make every yard of the running.

Trainer Graham Holland can take the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby Trial Stake with the Larry Dunne-owned Slippery Brian. The eight-timer has been out of luck the last twice, but he has some nice runs in the card. It's not the strongest of races, and if putting his best foot forward, he should take plenty of stopping. A previous 28.43 winner around Clonmel, he has bundles of speed, and he should take some beating.

Sure Exile, for Andrew Lynch, is the main danger. He came from behind to win around here a couple of starts ago, posting 28.60, and he's a greyhound with plenty of speed and power. He should be in the mix.

In the sixth, Tag Warrior, trained by Graham Holland for Michael Moore, can make it back-to-back wins around the Cork circuit. He made the most of a good opportunity to win, in 28.66 last time, and going on that run, he should follow up in this.

CURRAHEEN PARK SUPPORTERS CLUB

We must thank the CPSC for their fantastic work throughout the year. Once again, they have put in tremendous work to make sure there is plenty of extra prize money tonight. It promises to be a fantastic night of racing action.