Reigning Irish Derby winner Lenson Bocko will go straight into the Champion Stakes at Shelbourne Park before attempting to retain his title.
Trainer Graham Holland is confident that the dog will be ready for the Shelbourne 550 yard invitation which is due to start in four weeks time.
He said: “At this stage, there are a few unknowns, including the number of entries for the Champion Stakes though we are assuming it will be 18. I gave Bocko and a number of the other dogs unofficial 525 trials at Cork this week and they all pleased me. Bocko doesn’t really get the 550 unless he is fully fit, but he is heading in the right direction.
“There are two weeks between the Champion Stakes Final, if he gets there, and the start of the Derby which is just about ideal. We would also be looking (for the Champion Stakes) at Ballyhimikin Jet and Ballydoyle Valor, who are both out at Shelbourne at the weekend, and Black Parachute who has thickened up during the lay-off and has gone very well in trials.
“With the Produce Stakes confirmed as for ’18 whelps, we would have at least seven, but possibly as many as 15 entries. They would include Newinn Taylor, Newinn Session, Doolin Duke and Rathcoole Fox.
“We have a few who I plan to run in 750 competition at Shelbourne including Lenson Blinder who now needs the extra distance as he has grown older. In the same group we would have Ballydoyle Bee, Herecomesdahoney, Romeo Rumble and a bitch who I think a lot of, but has had plenty of problems with seasonal break, Slippy Jade.”
Prepare too for some exciting unexposed youngsters in the forthcoming €10,000 Unraced Stake at Shelbourne Park.
Graham said: “We have a lovely Sonic pup called Riverside Sonic, who I know can run, and a renamed dog called Indesatchel who qualified at Cork in 28.35.”
