Rural Hawaii can land his second big race of the year in the final of the ECC Timber Champion 550 at Shelbourne Park on Saturday.
Graham Holland’s Race of Champions winner was also runner-up in the Kirby Memorial at Limerick and a Produce Stakes semi-finalist.
He was beaten in the heats of his competition by Slippery Snowy; however he atoned for that defeat when beating Skywalker Rory by three lengths in 29.79sec in the semi-finals.
He’s ideally drawn inside chief rival Skips Glory, and can soon have matters in hand.
Skips Glory was also a semi-finalist in the Produce Stakes, before going on to win the Consolation final.
The Royal Impact dog beat Ballybough Mike by a comfortable four lengths in 29.82sec in the first round in but he was beaten by that rival last week.
If he can get a flyer he could take some holding.
Murt Leahy will hope to continue his purple patch with Ballybough Mike.
The Tyrur Big Mike dog was a finalist of the Produce Stakes after clocking 28.54sec during the competition.
He was beaten by Skip Glory in the opening round but comprehensively turned around that form in the semi-finals when scoring in 29.85sec and can make his presence felt.
Skywalker Glory has yet to win in the event but has clocked 28.59sec over the shorter 525 yard trip.
Hovex Prince, a brother of Sporting Press Oaks winner Ballydoyle Honey, is Holland’s second string. He’s done 28.27sec over the shorter trip back in April but needs to find some trapping boots.
Balline Bolt will go off the outsider of the field after failing to win a race in the event so far.
1 Balline Bolt 8
2 Hovex Prince 11-2
3 Ballybough Mike 5
4 Skywalker Rory 6
5 Rural Hawaii 2
6 Skip Glory 3
