English Puppy Derby and Night of Stars winner Lenson Sanchez is the 3-1 favourite for the Joe Dunne Memorial Puppy Stake at Shelbourne Park tonight.
Pat Buckley’s runner warmed up for the event with a fine 18.67sec sprint trial at the track and is expected to quickly assume command and score at the main expense of Munster Puppy Cup beaten favourite Milldean Cougar and Beaming Value.
Buckley can have a double with Beaming Boost in the second qualifier.
The Kingdom Derby runner-up finished just in front of main rival Bruno Ya Know in that Tralee decider before Christmas and can confirm the form here as the sole wide seed.
Gerry Merriman’s Highview Jayne, a 28.64 Shelbourne performer, is another to throw into the mix.
Buckley is also fancied to take the opening qualifier with View The Moon.
The son of Kinloch Brae also won on the same Tralee card and is capable of establishing an early lead that he is unlikely to relinquish.
Bearatipp can prove last week’s sensational performance was no fluke by taking the last qualifier.
Owen McKenna’s runner blasted clear to score in 28.32sec and a similar performance will see him prove very hard to beat.
The main threat should come from Pat Buckley’s Ballymac Gordie, who was also an English Puppy Derby finalist.
Betting: 3 Lenson Sanchez, 7-2 Bearatipp, 8 Ballymac Gordie, Beaming Boost, 14 Bruno Ya Know, Milldean Cougar, 16 Awaywithdepixies, Beaming Value, De Star Lord, Farloe Hunter, Highview Jayne, Drive On Nick, 20 bar.
