TEAM BALLYMAC HOLD VERY STRONG HAND IN THE LEE STRAND

Barry Drake

The opening round of the €10,000 to the winner Lee Strand 550 got off to a flying start last week, and we are expecting more top-class performances in tonight's second round.

Ballymac Charbel delivered a stunning 29.44 winning performance last week, and the August puppy rates the one to beat in heat number three. It was a magnificent run when you consider things didn't go right early, but with a better start this time around, he should go even quicker. The exciting prospect rates the one to beat from the inside of the track.

It's a red-hot contest as Music Inthe Air, trained by Patrick Guilfoyle for owners the Pension Plan Syndicate, lines up from three and he was another to post a huge run last week, clocking a superb 29.46. Another bit run is expected, and he should give the selection most to think about.

In the opening heat, Moorstown Arwen, for Joseph O'Flaherty, is selected to make it back-to-back winning runs. The June puppy clocked 29.67 in the opening round, and the strong-running finisher should be on top late on once more.

Bills Harbour, for Battie O'Connor and Cosmic Dancer, for trainer Brendan Maunsell, both impressed last time, and they should battle it out in the second heat. A narrow vote goes to Bills Harbour, a 29.54 winner in the first round.

Ballymac Sheff, for Liam Dowling, stands out in the closing heat. The August puppy displayed buckets of pace in defeat last week, and if doing things half right, he should bounce back to winning form.

A2 KASKO FINAL

In the €3,500 to the winner A2 Kasko Final, Fun Time Frankie, trained by Michael O'Donovan for owner Alison Bandurak, can make it four wins on the trot from the inside of the track. 

Big runs in recent weeks, the selection set the standard last week, winning in 28.44, and another front-running winning performance looks very likely.