Some photos from a great night at the ICC Awards and Dinner Dance on Sunday last. Huge thanks to our sponsors Greyhound & Pet World Abbeyfeale, Flaherty Family Galway, Clonmel Cabins (Billy & Marie Roche), National Meeting Bookmakers, James & Sharon Coss Portlaoise, Bridget Byrne, Surrey/Duagh and Michael Horgan, Mitchelstown. We couldn’t have done it without them. Our cover photo shows connections of Bobby Browne, Coursing Greyhound of the Year, receive their prizes from Award sponsors, Liam and Helen Murphy, Greyhound and Pet World.

Forty two years after winning an Irish Cup with Ballyduff Bobby, Jimmy Browne was back on the podium today to accept the Una O’Sullivan Memorial Irish Cup from John O’Sullivan & family following the brilliant success of his pup Bobby Browne. The Bobby in question, Jimmy’s nephew, was only a young lad back in 1983 but sadly is no longer with us which made it a very emotional victory for family & friends.

Bobby Browne, trained by Patrick & Tom ‘Saleen’ O’Connor continued the great success in the Irish Cup of pups beaten in the third round of the Derby. He was second favourite for this Classic behind Navalny before coursing got underway on Friday and their meeting in the quarter-final was eagerly awaited. The manner of Bobby Brownes success in that course this morning and his clock of 11.36 marks him out as a very worthy winner. Our congratulations too to his breeder Ian Bourke who was last week busy running a super meeting at Tipperary.

For the second successive year the Irish Cup runner-up was a bitch trained by Liam Dowling. Although quietly fancied for the Oaks earlier this month (beaten Rd2) Moyle Magic did not come with the same expectations as Ballymac Zena 12 months ago. However she made the top half her own and matched Bobby Browne stride for stride to more than half way.

The very top of the third quarter of the Irish Cup was red hot when you consider it contained Bobby Browne, Escalation & Coverbridge. Escalation would go on to win the Dick Fitzgerald Irish Purse in emphatic style for John & Alan Troy and Pat Sutton. Remember he had put out subsequent TA Morris Stakes winner Central Clever in Clonmel so he is an exciting All Age prospect. Coverbridge should also give Murty McMahon & friends some great fun next season but for today he had to give best in the Bill Chawke Irish Plate final to the evergreen Cool Spirit. The 2023 Irish Cup winner possibly made history by adding a Plate to a Cup (we will have to ask Gerry McCarthy) and he gave his Newry-Limerick Syndicate more reasons to celebrate after their recent Derby success.

Remarkably both of the bitch events today were won by Oaks semi-finalists albeit from different seasons. Ballymac Mulan (beaten by Revello Del Toro in recent Oaks SF) was a top class winner of the Patsy Byrne Select Bitch Stakes for the Dowlings. The runner-up Ballymore Lady gave our Irish Cup sponsors a great run and they can look forward to her second season. Marvelous Mover lost an Oaks semi-final in 2024 to Ballymaccallaway but kept the best for last this season by taking the new Greenmount Bitch Stake for John Flynn & family. The best final of the day came in the Kyle Invitational Champion Working Members Stake when Sydney Mozart, running for the McKiernan family and representing Co Cavan came back in the last stride to earn a just up decision over Tree Top Elvis representing Cashel. That wasn’t an easy one for Judge Bernard Goold who double jobs as Club Secretary for Cashel but he had a great meeting as did slipper Richard Quinn jnr.

It was in 2004 that the Irish Cup moved back to Limerick racecourse having spent four years in Tralee after the closure of Clounanna. The move to Limerick racecourse didn’t always meet with full approval from coursing purists and like any other coursing club, Co Limerick CC had many tweaks to make over the years. However it was an absolute pleasure to witness the coursing and the hares at Patrickswell this weekend. We send them our heartiest congratulations & thanks.

Day 2 of the Una O’Sullivan Memorial Cup saw all the upsets take place in the top half of the draw whilst the bottom half went very much as predicted. Which means that the betting as we head into the quarter-finals has a slightly lopsided look to it with most neutrals expecting the winner to now come from that bottom half. However how often before in coursing have we seen that it is an advantage to be in what is perceived to be the ‘easier half’ and none of our quarter-finalists can be ruled out as we reach the halfway stage.

MOYLE MAGIC: Not sure if the Irish Cup itself was the original plan this weekend for the Galloping Lads Synd owned bitch pup and connections were expecting the journey to end once she met the dogs. However her early pace sealed the fate of Light Brown very quickly this afternoon and she has the red collar all the way now. BANOFFEE PIE: This pup seems to be enjoying Patrickswell every bit as much as his dual Irish Cup winning sire. James Bourke & his family bred two semi-finalists in this season’s Boylesports Derby and now own an Irish Cup quarter-finalist. TONEVANE TOGO: Much more was expected this season from the 2024 Derby quarter-finalist (Cup at Thurles was sole success) but his joint owners Darragh Sheehan & Stephen Reidy are finally getting the performance they knew this dog had in him. Very quick from slips in both courses today. STICKMEIN: Qualification for Day 3 adds to what has already been a most successful season for Glen Healy & family with numerous trial stakes wins incl this lad and the All Ireland Open last weekend. Manner of his defeat of Cool Spirit in RD2 gives him a big say in top half.

BOBBY BROWNE: This pup was expected to make it to last day in Clonmel earlier this month but surprised by Ballinabola Cha in third round of Derby. No such worries today and he was the first dog to break 11.50 (equalled later in Irish Plate). Named by Jimmy in memory of his late nephew who enjoyed days like today and would be a popular winner. NAVALNY: It was a crushing blow for the Comerford family when he had to miss the 2024 Derby. Now two Cups and a Champion Stakes later he is on top of the coursing world. No flashy clocks but middle pace is superb and makes it look easy. MAGICAL FIONN: The TA Morris Stakes runner-up from last season has only tasted gold once this season so far (Lixnaw). However the Guilfoyle family owned runner has produced a series of three impressive runs here this weekend. The greyhounds he beat in RD1 & RD2 are serious contenders in Purse and Plate which is always a good line of form. CHALLENGER DEEP: Like Bobby Browne he too was narrowly denied a place in last eight of Derby a few weeks ago. Gives Paul Horig a strong chance of back to back Irish Cups although he had to put paid to the chances of the defending champion Gigantor this afternoon (running for two different trainers ).

In the Patsy Byrne Select Bitch Stakes the eye catching performances in RD1 came from the pups My Cool Marie and Ballymore Lady. The latter has probably the easier draw following the elimination of the ante post fav Shes Our Sky but it is a very competitive competition. The pups Master Tactician and Escalation continue to impress in the Dick Fitzgerald Irish Purse and could progress to the final. The 11.49 clock from 2023 Irish Cup winner Cool Spirit this afternoon will surely see him installed favourite in the morning for the Bill Chawke Irish Plate with Coverbridge looking like he could provide the opposition from the other half.

Top class coursing today at Patrickswell with conditions ideal and all the clocks holding up very well. Overnight rain is expected to clear in time for coursing tomorrow and it has all the potential to be a fitting conclusion to the 2024/25 coursing season. Make sure you are there !!

Day 1 at Patrickswell has set the scene nicely for what looks to be an intriguing Una O’Sullivan Memorial Irish Cup. By and large all the fancied runners made it through but not necessarily the straight forward way. Central Giver appeared to be well on his way to victory before both dogs went unsighted. The hare then came back out to give them a bit of work. He subsequently went through on the toss of a coin but he has drifted alarmingly in the betting. The real drama came in the third last course of the opening round. Defending champion Gigantor, having his first competitive outing in 362 days was very sluggish leaving slips and looked in trouble for the first 150 yards. He was closing rapidly though when his opponent Sandy Art appeared to check causing both dogs to run into each other before Gigantor got going again to claim the flag.

Champion Stakes winner Navalny which opened 3/1 favourite gave a very polished display and the middle pace of second fav Bobby Browne was very eye catching. However the very good runs from both Escalation and Needham Date in the Irish Purse this afternoon would suggest that the greyhounds which beat them this morning, namely Coverbridge and Moscow Station, are going to prove formidable opponents for the two favourites in RD2.

Floating Houdini has the honour of the fastest clock in the top half (just one spot behind Coverbridge down in other half of draw) but this very lightly coursed greyhound now takes on 2024 Derby semi-finalist Light Brown. The winner should progress to the quarter-final and possibly meet Ballymac Major there. If Capablanca keeps coming away as quickly as he did today it will be hard to keep him out of a quarter-final spot. The same probably applies to Ballymac Peaky in the bottom of that second quarter but it is certainly not as clear-cut.

As already mentioned we have some great buckles in store for us in the third quarter but the winners of the Coverbridge v Bobby Browne and Navalny v Moscow Station courses should win their next also and go through to Sunday. Down in the fourth quarter we are again taking note of the better performances in the Purse this afternoon and in particular that of Master Tactician. He was eliminated from the Cup by Magical Fionn which suggests that the Guilfoyle runner is capable of taking one of the coveted places in the ‘Last 8’ . Paul Horig is doubly represented in this quarter and he will be disappointed if either Gigantor or Challenger Deep don’t claim the final spot.

So a very enjoyable start to the 114th Irish Cup and plenty to look forward to for the weekend. After heavy overnight rain conditions were testing today although nothing like 12 months ago and with a dry night forecast things should be perfect for coursing tomorrow. Navalny remains a very worthy favourite at 5/2 and should he overcome Moscow Station in the next round his price is likely to shorten considerably.

Long Odds Irish Cup

Having introduced Navalny at 4/1 fav to win the Una O’Sullivan Memorial Irish Cup, he is now as short as 3/1 with Boylesports after laying some decent bets. He remains 7/2 with Berkie Browne. Both bookmakers have the pup Bobby Browne next in the betting at 6/1 and this is the dog that Berkie expects to have a big say in the Classic. At 8/1 another pup Challenger Deep is better value with Berkie (Boylesports 6/1) but it is the opposite with 2023 Irish Cup winner Cool Spirit who at 10/1 is two points higher with Boylesports (Berkie 8/1). As expected Ballymac Peaky is the third of the fancied pups at 8/1 and he is joined at that price by defending champion Gigantor, Ballymac Major & Moscow Station.

There is a very open look to the betting for the Patsy Byrne Select Bitch Stake. The selection of the Sporting Press team Shes Our Sky is 5/2 with Berkie (Boylesports 3/1). For anyone fancying a bet on recent Oaks semi-finalist Ballymac Mulan she is 5/1 with Boylesports (Berkie 4/1) but Berkie is offering better prices on Barrack Buttons 4/1 & Montpelier Aya 6/1. Both firms are offering the same 4/1 about last year’s winner Mon Petit & the pup Ballymore Lady which will hopefully give our Irish Cup sponsors a good run.

IRISH CUP 2025 – Non Runners

UNA O’SULLIVAN MEMORIAL IRISH CUP

PATSY BYRNE SELECT BITCH STAKES

KYLE CHAMPION WORKING MEMBERS

SEND IT TEABAGS

Smashing Bitch Stakes at Irish Cup

There is a change in format with the Bitch Stakes at this year’s Irish Cup but if anything it has made them more competitive. The traditional Patsy Byrne Select Bitch Stakes is now for 16 runners, winner €7,500 and starts on Saturday. The new Greenmount Bitch Stakes is for 8 runners, winner €2,500 and gets underway on Sunday. Both stakes have an exciting mix of All Age & Pups.

The first course in the Patsy Byrne Select Stakes has paired recent Oaks semi-finalist Ballymac Mulan with Newinn Candy (just up loser RD3 Clonmel) and sets the tone for the remainder of the event. The field also includes the 2024 winner of this stake Mon Petit and five bitches which either ran or were listed as reserves in the Grace & Matt Bruton Champion Bitch Stakes earlier this month. Aside from those, our Sporting Press tipsters this week have also nominated Shes Our Sky, Montpelier Aya, Rectory Pearl or Ballymore Lady (pup) as potential winners so it really is going to be a hugely interesting betting market on Saturday morning.

The eight runner Greenmount Bitch Stakes is no less interesting but all eyes will be on the Edenderry Oaks TS winner Tis Our Dream which missed her engagement in Clonmel due to a set-back. If fully fit she will take beating in the bottom half of the draw with 2024 Oaks semi-finalist Marvelous Mover her biggest danger. Zauberflute ran very well here last year when she ran-up the Patsy Byrne Select Bitch Stakes. She could reach another Patrickswell final even though her recent form isn’t overly inspiring.

Fantasy Coursing Update

Should Dan O’Donoghue, Millstreet, claim his fourth Sporting Press Fantasy Coursing title this weekend he will certainly have to thank the ‘man of the moment’, Brendan Matthews. They say you shouldn’t put all your eggs in the one basket but Dan paid no heed to that advice and no less that six of the eight greyhounds in his winning selection hail from the Townview kennels. The other two are the Liam Dowling trained Derby & Oaks winners from last season. All of this meant that Dan had both finalists in both Champion Stakes at Clonmel earlier this month and won a massive 300 Fantasy points. Metal Queen was of course the one that really made the difference and Dan now finds himself on the brink of a fourth win in this popular competition. In the separate Fantasy for Charity competition, Declan Murphy (Callaway) has been out in front since November and has a very respectable 570 points. Any points won by Navalny or O’Gradys Beach will get him over the line although realistically his only dangers are Aisling Flynn with Aristotle and Dion Cummings with Certain Sure. Read this week’s Sporting Press for our full look at how the Fantasy Coursing competitions might unfold at the Irish Cup.

Sporting Press Fantasy Coursing Competition
	Name	Points
1	Dan O’Donoghue, Millstreet	670
2	Michael & Susan Condon, Ballyduff	655
3	Betty Collins, Abbeyfeale	620
Jt 4	James Wade, Cashel	610
Jt 4	Mary Holland, Tarbert	610
Sporting Press Fantasy Coursing Charity Competition
	Name	Points
1	Denis Murphy, Brosna	570
2	Aisling Flynn, Tarbert	475
3	Dion Cummings, Limavady	460

Draw & Preview

The draw has been made for the 2025 running of the Una O’Sullivan Memorial Irish Cup and it promises to be an intriguing renewal. The field includes defending champion Gigantor, 2023 winner Cool Spirit, recent Champion Stakes winner and likely favourite Navalny and 2023 Champion Stakes winner Ballymac Major. Leading the charge for the pups will be Ballymac Peaky who unfortunately couldn’t take his place in the Derby but his first round opponent is another pup, Mango, which won many admirers in Clonmel. Considering he eliminated Central Giver by 3L in the opening round of the Derby, Ashmore Express will be no pushover for Navalny. Challenger Deep is another pup drawn for a big run and will be expected to meet Gigantor running for same owner in the bottom quarter-final whilst the aforementioned Central Giver will have a big say also on his TA Morris Stakes performance. Of the older runners, the meeting of Aristotle v Light Brown and Capablanca v Bodens Hulk will be difficult courses to call and the winners are capable of going a long way. However we will make an early prediction that Aristotle (who ran very well here 12 months ago), Ballymac Peaky (if 100%), Navalny and Gigantor will win their respective quarters and give us an exciting conclusion to the 2024/25 season.

UNA O’SULLIVAN MEMORIAL IRISH CUP 2025
No	Nominator	Dog	V’s	No	Nominator	Dog
First Quarter
1	Pat Pyne & Patsy Myers	Moyle Magic (b) (p)	V’s	2	Billy & James Mann	Smalltown Hero (b)
3	Bobby O’Connor	Da Beers (b)	V’s	4	K Murphy & D Magnone	Cuban Blondie (b) (p)
5	John Wilson	Aristotle	V’s	6	J Cunningham & M Jackson	Light Brown
7	Colin & Mairead Wallace	Floating Houdini (p)	V’s	8	Leo Walsh	Bang Over Debar
9	Lady Ana Johnson	Rubicon	V’s	10	Sir Mark Prescott	March Past (p)
11	Noel Collins	Lisahane Tom	V’s	12	Paul Horig	Alekhine
13	Raymond Smith	Rampart Marvel	V’s	14	Vincent Purtill	Banoffee Pie (p)
15	Pat Savage	Gunfighter (p)	V’s	16	Liam Dowling	Ballymac Major
Second Quarter
17	Luke Kilcoyne	Capablanca	V’s	18	Michael Horgan	Bodens Hulk
19	Tony Quinn	Tonevane Togo	V’s	20	John Flynn	Marvelous Hero (p)
21	Liam & Patrick Mann	Faraway Fields (p)	V’s	22	Matt Feheney	Barrack Legand (p)
23	Brendan Duffy	Central Giver (p)	V’s	24	Fr. John Fitzgibbon	Lahard Timmy
25	M. O’Donovan Killaloe	Stickmein (p)	V’s	26	John & Alan Troy	Certain Sure
27	Brendan Matthews	Cool Spirit	V’s	28	Mary Fitzgerald	Last Highwayman (p)
29	Mark & Ailish Dilger	Morally Right (p)	V’s	30	Berkie & Patsy Browne	Taelane Tiger
31	Liam & Noreen Liddy	Ballymac Peaky (p)	V’s	32	Liam & William Riordan	Mango (p)
Third Quarter
33	Peter O Loghlen	Escalation (p)	V’s	34	Murty & Ciaran McMahon	Coverbridge (p)
35	Jimmy Browne	Bobby Browne (p)	V’s	36	Pat Burke	Crohane Rhapsody
37	O’Sullivan Family	Capitol Trend	V’s	38	Susan Garrahy	Ballymac Hollow (p)
39	Eamonn Kiely	Woodpark Eagle	V’s	40	M. O’Donovan Tipperary	Soprano (p)
41	Brendan Farrelly	Happy Walking (p)	V’s	42	Tadg Sullivan	Slanestown Tyson (p)
43	J Bennett & Gregg Bros	Member Guest (p)	V’s	44	Mike Mann	Benny The Bear
45	Michael Spillane Bantry	Navalny	V’s	46	John Boyle	Ashmore Express (p)
47	Diarmuid O’Connor	Moscow Station	V’s	48	Nora Raleigh	Needham Date
Fourth Quarter
49	Gerry Hughes	Master Tactician (p)	V’s	50	Tomas Coolahan	Magical Fionn
51	Dermot O’Shea	O Gradys Beach	V’s	52	JP Shaw	Cuban Bowie (p)
53	Gavin Johns	Bundchen (p)	V’s	54	Marie Field	Charlemont Groom
55	Brian Murphy	Jeru Hope	V’s	56	Charlie & Gerry Chawke	Ahh Boy
57	Pat Horgan	Da Ladies Master (p)	V’s	58	John & Niall Doolan	Creamery Steel (p)
59	Brian & Laurence Jones	Sandy Art (p)	V’s	60	Bridget Byrne	Gigantor
61	Ned & Tommy Relihan	Challenger Deep (p)	V’s	62	Tim O’Driscoll	Farmer Phil (p)
63	Ml Spillane Killarney	Shuffleupanddeal	V’s	64	Reddan Family	Priory Rebel

CO LIMERICK COURSING CLUB
Hosting the 114^th Irish Cup  

Friday, Saturday, Sunday 21^st, 22nd & 23^rd February

Judge: Bernard Goold  

Slipper: Richard Quinn jnr  

Start 11.30am all three days.

Friday: RD1 Una O’Sullivan Memorial Irish Cup. INTERVAL. RD1 Irish Purse. RD1 Champion Working Members Stake.   

Saturday: RD2 Una O’Sullivan Memorial Irish Cup. RD1 Patsy Byrne Select Bitch Stakes. INTERVAL. RD2 Irish Purse. RD3 Una O’Sullivan Memorial Irish Cup. RD1 Irish Plate.  

Sunday: RD2 Champion Working Members Stake, RD1 Greenmount Bitch Stake, RD2 Patsy Byrne Select Bitch Stake, RD3 Irish Purse, RD2 Irish Plate & RD4 Una O’Sullivan Memorial Irish Cup. INTERVAL. All semi-finals. INTERVAL. All Finals.     

Congratulations to all our winners in this season’s Classics Club draw.

Draw 1 on Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks

Winner €10,000 

Revello Del Toro                  Member No. 770           John & Donal Snr Wilson, Johnstown

Runner-Up €3,000

Breska Starlight                   Member No. 408           Thomas Murphy, Brosna

Beaten semi-finalists €1,000 each

Ballymac Mulan                  Member No. 585           Cheese & Chips Syndicate, Killucan

Eulogy                                     Member No. 844           Barrett Sisters Synd, The Commons

Beaten quarter-finalists €500 each

Unpocoloco                          Member No. 130           Lenebane Syndicate, Roscommon

Mccloskeys Queen             Member No. 464           Pat Murphy, Rockchapel

Callaway Red                        Member No. 320           Cian Mulrooney, Salthill

Da Unbelieveable                Member No. 119           Mary O’Brien, Tralee

Draw 2 on the BoyleSports Derby

Winner €10,000 

Gone To Strand                    Member No. 144           Dan McCarthy, Derbyshire

Runner-Up €3,000

Cooga Magic                         Member No. 361           Herbert Family Syndicate, Kilflynn

Beaten semi-finalists €1,000 each

Kerry Watch                          Member No. 157           Michael Eustace, Ennis

Ballinabola Cha                    Member No. 660           McMahon Family, Ennistymon

Beaten quarter-finalists €500 each

Ballymac Hollow                 Member No. 431           William Cogan, Little Island

Sparkplug Kerry                   Member No. 587           Lester Power, Tramore

Five O Five                             Member No. 250           Mick D’Arcy, Claureen

Moyle Alonzo                       Member No. 549           Mary O’Sullivan, Moorhill

Draw 3 on Callaway Kennels Kevin Smith Champion Stakes

Winner €2,000 

Navalny                                  Member No. 222           Niall & Conor Heeney, Sydney

Runner-Up €500

Ballymac Sports                  Member No. 442           Edenderry Coursing Club

Draw 4 on Classics Club Grace & Matt Bruton Champion Bitch Stakes

Winner €2,000 

Metal Queen                        Member No. 186           Tarmons Hill Syndicate, Tarbert

Runner-Up €500

Ballymaccallaway                Member No. 701           Donie Quinn, Clarina

Draw on Stockproof Fencing T.A. Morris Stakes

Winner €1,500 

Central Clever                       Member No. 679           Borris In Ossory Coursing Club

Runner-Up €500

Central Giver                         Member No. 629           Patrick Sutton, The Curragh

Draw on Dublin Coach Kitty Butler Stakes

Winner €1,500 

Orianthi                                  Member No. 604           Brian O’Shaughnessy, Collinstown

Runner-Up €500

Snickerdoodle                      Member No. 751           Cosy Syndicate, Galbally

Congratulations to all our prize winners who will receive a total of €43,000 in prizemoney.  On behalf of all members of the Classics Club, the sum of €45,000 will be given to the Irish Coursing Club towards the ­sponsorship of the 2025 Champion Bitch Stakes and other prize money for the National Meeting. Thank You and we look forward to your support next season for what will be the 100th National Coursing Meeting.

The 99th National Coursing Meeting concluded at Powerstown Park today and it saw Brendan Matthews record a fantastic trainer/breeder treble including his sixth Coursing Derby. It was also a memorable Clonmel for Cork trainer Barry Lynch who was on the podium twice including after the Oaks. And congratulations to Paddy Duffy (Derry) who had both finalists in the Stockproof Fencing TA Morris Stakes with Central Clever declared the winner.

First to Brendan’s treble. Gone To Strand, winner of the 2025 Boylesports Derby for the Limerick Newry Syndicate (Seamus Kelly, Liam Herlihy and Brendan Matthews) who also won the Irish Cup two years ago with Cool Spirit. The Trim qualifier was 20/1 before coursing on Saturday. Navalny, winner of the Callaway Kennels Kevin Smith Champion Stakes for Fintan & John Comerford, Kildare. Well supported before the first round he gives the Comerfords their second Champion Stakes as they won the bitch equivalent with Excelerate back in 2023. Metal Queen, bred & trained & owned by the maestro to win the Classics Club Grace & Matt Bruton Champion Bitch Stakes. It is difficult to believe that it is 17 years since Brendan won the Derby and over 10 since he won either of the Champion Stakes but today was his day once again and it was a wonderful occasion for the Matthews family.

Today was also a dream come true for great friends from England & Scotland, Steve Dobie, Graeme Thompson & Michael Ariss who have been trying to win at Clonmel for a long time and when it finally happened today it happened twice. Making it very special for them was that both winners were trained by Barry Lynch with whom they have soldiered for many many years. Revello Del Toro was involved in the very first course of the meeting and came home first in the Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks. The Cork (Blarney) qualifier was 25/1 before coursing. The double came courtesy of Orianthi in the Dublin Coach Kitty Butler Stakes.

And so concluded a very enjoyable National Coursing Meeting where I think everyone will agree that the hares were the stars of the show. Congratulations to Team Powerstown, our Judges & Slippers and of course to all our winners. For all the reviews, stories and photos don’t forget to get your Sporting Press this week.

Day 2 of the National Meeting is often described as ‘When the going gets tough and the tough get going’. This year’s renewal certainly echoed those sentiments with the usual mix of polished performances, shock results and fairy-tale journeys continuing to the final day of competition.

The shock withdrawal of Oaks favourite Tory Mischief was the talk of the ring prior to coursing this morning. Gerry Holian’s leading lady had lit up the stretch in the opening round and news of her absence had the bookie’s scrubbing the chalk in ferocious fashion. New favourites were made but in general, the ladies classic has a real ‘open‘ feel about it as we pass the halfway stage.

Tomorrow’s opening quarter final of the Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks will see Revello Del Toro in red against Unpocoloco. The latter owned by the Collins brothers, Sean & Padraig (Thurles), received a stern test from Lone Blaze in the third round but finished proceedings with a devastating turn of foot on top of the stretch to put the result beyond doubt. However, the Barry Lynch trained Revello Del Toro, will be fancied to prevail having set the standard in the opening quarter in both her courses today. Ballymac Mulan, who shares the head of the market with Eulogy at 2/1, was superb in both her contests today and looks to be made of stern stuff. Her fourth round opponent McCloskey Queen like’s nothing more than upsetting the odds and having claimed the scalp of Moyle Magic in Rd 2; Davy Graham’s lady will hold no fear.

Callaway Red is certainly pleasing the crowds with her devastating turn of foot up the famed hill. The Brendan Matthews & Denis Murphy owned bitch is giving lengths to her rivals over the opening yards but takes flight from halfway. She faces a real speedster in the morning however in Breska Starlight. Young Sam Doolan is getting a real good song from his charge and he will no doubt be hoping that a good start will put her in a good stead to withstand the big finish that her rival will bring. Da Unbelievable came through a titanic battle with NewInn Candy in Rd 3 and Fiona Wilmot won’t want this amazing journey to end just yet. She meets a leading player in Eulogy in the morning. Dan Brassil’s runner needed to be at her best to dismiss Tullamoy Class this evening and a continuation of the form might just give her the edge in this one.

Montpelier Magic was the big name absentee from this morning’s second round of the Boylesports Derby. In the opening quarter, Ballymac Hollow and surprise package Kerry Watch will battle it out for a place in the last four. Ballymac Hollow left it late to finally get the better of Challenger Deep but such was the manner of victory that Liam Dowling’s dog now sits with Cooga Magic on the market lead of 2/1. Kerry Watch has proved the big story of this year’s meeting thus far. 100/1 in the long odds book, the Sean Counihan & Charlie Farrelly owned runner has been a sensation. His early pace is remarkable and claimed his biggest win of the meeting in Rd 3 when beating Ashmore Express. Sparkplug Kerry for James Coss is another outsider who doesn’t read the script and is full value for his place in the last eight. He faces a stiff challenge in the second quarter final in the shape of Gone To Strand. The Newry-Limerick Syndicate owned runner has been going about his business in efficient fashion and will be strongly fancied to progress.

Corn Na Feile winner Five O Five continued his winning sequence and was particularly impressive in Rd 3 when beating Faraway Fields for Dan O’Connor. He takes on the game Ballinabola Cha in the third quarter and the Murphy’s from New Ross will be hoping there’s more to come from their Carlow qualifier. The final of tomorrow morning’s pairings looks the tie of the round. The ultra-consistent Moyle Alonzo extinguished the dreams of A Bitta Luck and this locally owned runner for the ‘Galloping Lads Syndicate’ will certainly proof a tricky opponent for joint favourite Cooga Magic. The latter has being the eye catcher of the field thus far in the Classic but will need to continue that level of performance to assure his place in the last four and keep the dream alive for the ‘Johnny McLoughlin & Cooga Syndicate’.

See Quick Results for Clocks and Betting.

Our photo is of Kerry Watch getting the better of Ashmore Express in their third round buckle this afternoon.