‘King’ to reign at Liscannor

MONARD based handler, Pat Curtin brings a strong hand to Liscannor for the opening meeting of the new coursing season at the weekend and he is sure to have the short priced favourites for both all-aged events.
Bookies are likely to chalk up King Saunders (Droopy’s Saunders – Fiery Mary) at the head of the market in the McDonagh Memorial Cup and if last season’s Derby quarter-finalist has recovered from an injury plagued puppy season, he will take all the beating.
Curtin will also fancy his chances in the all-aged bitch stake with Ashtown Amy (Droopys Ceaser – Ballymac Kanu) who won her trial stake at Moher last season for the Dingle based Barony Syndicate which comprises Matt Moloney, Danny Murphy, Moss 0’Donnell and Frank Scanlon.
Although beaten in her opening buckle in the Oaks, there was some measure of compensation for Curtin when Ashtown Amy proceeded to win the consolation Greyhound and Pet World of Mischief Stakes.
King Saunders, which Curtin part owns with Michael Eustace, Ennis and Joe Kelly from Killimer, literally ran away with the trial stake at Miltown Malbay and almost immediately became one of the leading contenders for the classic in Clonmel.
However, despite injury interrupting his preparations for Clonmel, King Saunders made it to the third day before being eliminated by Colina Damask, owned by James Flaherty of Galway, the eventual Derby runner-up. Curtin’s charge failed to sparkle in the subsequently Irish Cup meeting and was a first round casualty.
However, he will face stiff competition as the cup features no fewer than six other dogs that qualified for the Derby in Clonmel.
Peggy’s Laden (Volga Riover – Elm Sunset) returns to Moher where he captured his trial stake last year for owner John Murphy from Monivea in Galway but the big threat may well come from the third season dog, Black Ashmore ( Ashmore View – Rith Gan Gaisce) which was bred by Brendan Hehir from Miltown Malbay.
Trained by Gerry Holian, Black Ashmore won a reserve trial stage at Kilrush-Killimer while last season he won a cup at Limerick City, ran up for a similar event at the Regional and went to the last four in all age events in both Kilrush-Killimer and Rathdowney.
Included in the top half of the draw are Millabbey Sean, owned by Thomas Kearney from Abbeydorney, last year’s trial stake winner at Bandon and the Gerry Griffin trained Soundmanpaddy, a trial stake winner at Charleville.
Tony Reddan and Richie Quinn will officiate and coursing on Saturday starts at 11.30am and on Sunday at 12 noon. The order of running is twice through Derby and Oaks and once through All Age cup and Working Members  on Saturday and starting with All-Age bitch stake on Sunday.

All Age Cup (16)
Rathmeehan Jimmy v Millabbey Sean; King Saunders v Gold Hyland; Tarbert Dawn v Soundmanpaddy; Whitestone Rover v Black Ashmore; Peggys Ladden v Ballinveala Soho; Flow On Ted v Inny Perfection; Emlagh Strand v Toms Choice; Kilbeacanty Sir v Lousies Delight. Reserves: (a) Shadow Tevez, (b) Hollyhill Best

All-Age Bitch Stake (16)
Volga Sunrise v Homestead Beauty; Easy N Sweet v Sporting Fatima; Ashwood Dee v Whitestone River; Ashtown Amy v White Stunner; Bambas Hawkeye v Early Haze; Glanmore Steffi v Cois Luna; Ballymore Molly v Bejo Blonde; Inspiring v Leigh Rosaline. Reserves: (a) Pumpkin Lucky, (b) Laras Luck, (c) Breezer Honey

Derby Trial Stake (32)
Straight King v Sporting Django; Roonagh Geal v Dromalty Country; Howya Cutting v Upsetter; Daruje v Small Fella; Roadstone Flyer v Windfarm Express; Drimeen Butcher v Priority Sir; Lismadine Moon v Heavy Weapon; Dromelihy Hyland v Shandangan Matt; No Fool v Chiltern Jack; Scattery Harbour v Bannock Burn; Johns Delight v Da Russian; Parker Brown v Golden Heart;
Gurraun Flash v Missing Gang; Montalto Squire v Gold Blonde; Yew Best v Pa Du; Cry Before Dawn v Derrylough Himac. Reserves (a) Nama Man, (b)Reenrour West, (c) Shining Dogie, (d) Pugnacity.

Oaks Trial Stake (32)
Crafty Mo v Scattery Express; Miracle Molly v Brandy All Round; Roving Molly v Tamjamel;
Shecandoit v Two Clubs Gold; Dabirdshea v Steves Nell; Gold Charlie v Margarets Castle; Red Music v Evesham Flyer; All At Once v Lilywhite Babe; Lone Lauren v Nullarbor Road; Ballymore Mini v Kilcornan Girl; Doonbeg Flyer v Tullabrack Pearl; Zero Eight Lady v Ardnari Dee; Rude Luck v Rhuta Bridge; Arbula Rocket v Fishermans Jade; Liscannor Molly v Having A Cut; Mountruby Rhiana v Shankell. Reserves: (a) Flow On Lucy, (b) Ballybrone Lass,  (c) Princess Reyna, (d) Parker Dolly.

Local Workers’ Stake (8)
Perks v Mythical Light; Liscannor Hero v Moher Celtic; Kinielty Spice v Callura Chico; Dromoher Sasha v Total Wipeout.

Surplus Puppy Stake (8)
Beyond The Dark v Clune Hyland; Speedy Pat v Wizard Time; Ballygodoon Best v Kingtone Jamie; Tempting v Froben. Reserves (a) Ashtown Rusty, (b) Blue Hyland.