The second round split over the two nights was just as exciting as the previous weekend at Shelbourne Park, writes Peter Walker.
Before racing began on Friday and Saturday night, we had 11 withdrawals, including last year’s finalist Callaway Knegare.
It’s a tough campaign but did raise a few eyebrows as well as disappointing for connections, especially at this early stage.
The performance of the round was unquestionably Bombay Pat, who stopped the clock at 29.17 seconds – the fastest of the competition so far and sets a very high standard.
Remarkable run
The surface was probably at its quickest in the first heat on Saturday night but it was still a remarkable run nevertheless.
Most of the ‘big guns’ either won or qualified, with the reigning champ Bockos Diamond back amongst the winners where he belongs.
On the home front, Proper Heiress showed exceptional acceleration when hugging the rail from an unpromising position at the opening corner.
Admittedly, the gap appeared on the inside with trouble around the first bend aiding his passage through to take over the running at the second corner.
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Momentum lost
Unfortunately, Ballymac Axel appeared to stumble at traps-rise and lost momentum. He ran on but could only finish fourth, and maybe a Derby Plate entry is a distinct possibility.
Others to be eliminated included Droopys Patriot, Hackney Corner, Epic Ace and Rolo Tokyo.
With regard to the tipping selections, Bombay Pat is now joint favourite at the head of the market, and Shanahee Boomer came back with a bang.
The layers had pushed his odds out to 100/1 so had to have a little more on at that price. The biggest improver was Prince Naseem who managed to shave 111 spots (on better track conditions) off his previous finishing time after a break from competing since the English Derby final night.
Although he has drawn a tough heat with four winners in it (Bockos Diamond, Cheap Sandwiches and our Proper Heiress no less), 50/1 is generous and worth a small each-way value bet.
All he needs to do is get a clear run to qualify from his trap 3 box which admittedly is easier said than done.
The draw has an uneven look to it again with four winners in heat 4 as well as the aforementioned race.
Lap of the gods
There are also three winners in the last heat but once the names go in the drum, it’s in the lap of the gods.
As far as the ratings are concerned, from now on, each greyhound receives a comparative figure based on previous performances over track and distance.
It will be updated after every round right up to the final. The track going was regarded as ‘normal’ throughout both days of the second round, and although underfoot conditions did change, the ratings still reflect ‘a level playing field’.
Even so, the outstanding display by Bombay Pat in the last round has had the effect of downgrading the opposition’s ratings as shown in the summary table.
But that can all change as the competition intensifies, and it certainly will!
