Shelbourne
Night of Stars 600 winner Ballyhooly Henry is up against fastest heat winner Slippery Snowy in the semi-final of the Gain Dog Food 600 at Shelbourne Park on Saturday.
Larry Dunne’s Slippery Snowy clocked the fastest time in last week’s heats with 32.71sec but this former middle seed may not appreciate his draw on the fence in trap one.
Preference is given to Tom O’Neill’s Ballyhooly Henry, who battled to overcome a slight first bend bump in last week’s opening round to come home a length clear of Mustang No Plan in 32.89sec.
He has two slow starters on his outer and is fancied to clear Slippery Snowy in the early stages and build up a race winning lead on the far side.
Sole seeded runner Hovex Blaze must enter the equation. Graham Holland’s dog was only caught close home by 32.79sec winning kennelmate Notorious Ben last week.
The costly Boylesports Duke can regain the winning thread in the second eliminator.
Dolores Ruth’s runner was slowly away in the heats but was running on strongly at the finish. He is fancied to strike late.
Graham Holland’s Notorious Ben could be the main danger as he left a few lengths on the track during last week’s 32.79sec victory.
Newlawn Simon and litter brother Newlawn Luke who dead heated last week in 32.82sec are in opposition. Simon looked unlucky not to win outright and a clearer run should see him enter the argument.
1 Slippery Snowy
2 Ballyhooley Henry
3 Tradition
4 Mustang Noplan
5 Mynewbestfriend
6 Hovex Blaze
1 Newlawn Luke
2 Sugarbear Barber
3 Newlawn Simon
4 Milldean Cougar
5 Notorious Ben
6 Boylesports Duke
