ALDO HARD TO OPPOSE
Carrick aldo is the 5/2 outright favourite to win the Tote Gold Cup but he’ll be even shorter than that tonight to win his semi-final heat.
This son of Droopys Sydney/ Minnies Hazel is looking to maintain his unbeaten streak in the competition after clocking 28.05 and 28.18 in his last two outings.
Trained by David Murray for Thomas Glynn, Carrick aldo is running out of his skin.
He was outstanding when winning the irish Sprint Cup at Dundalk last year as well as reaching the final of the irish Laurels.
He has another fine sprinter to compete with in this heat, however, as road Exile will be flying into the first bend from trap five for trainer Pat Buckley. He returned to winning ways last week in a fast time of 28.31 so a repeat performance could mean a great battle of early dash into the opening turn.
Speaking of greyhounds running out of their skin, Boylesports Coco was awesome when winning her heat in 28.30 for owner John Boyle and trainer Dolores ruth.
She took up the lead after a few strides beating trap one here Ballymac Finn by a length and a half so she won’t be far away.
Lotto Other News races from trap three for trainer Shaun Conway and needs to be at his sharpest here while the same can be said for
Simons Cap in trap six for trainer Marie Gilbert.
Glengar Martha looks the one in the opening semi-final.
This daughter of Droopys Sydney/ Glengarbadminton is also looking to hold onto her unbeaten path in this competition for Buckley.
Time
She won by another large margin last week, with eight lengths separating her and another Holiday in a blistering time of 28.07.
Owned by William Wood, Martha is well housed in trap five but there are dangers everywhere. another Holiday can easily set the pace from trap three for trainer Michael J O’donovan, while Octane Cora in trap one and Jetstream Breeze in trap two will both by flying home.
The finale could go to the robert Gleeson-trained Optic Chico in trap five. He won his heat in the opening round of the Gold Cup in 28.28 coming from behind but then suffered defeat last week after stumbling at the traps.
Superfast Gorden looks an exciting prospect, with trap one to suit the Pat Buckley-trained youngster.
He was brilliant in the kingdom Derby so it won’t come as a surprise if he lands the spoils as he has already won over course and distance in 28.33 last October.
The a2 kilbride kennels Midlands Derby 550 kicks off at Mullingar Greyhound Stadium tonight with eight competitive heats.
a total prize fund of €10,035 is on offer with €3,300 of that for the winner. The likes of Eagle in heat four and a Thousand Faces in heat eight are worth a wager but we will have a better idea after the opening round has been completed.
Greyhound racing ireland and Waterford great John Mullane launched the “Love Your Club” campaign this week with a chance to win €5,000 shirt sponsorship for one adult male club and one adult female club. See grireland.ie/loveyourclub for more information.