Charlie the leading light at Bandon and Careys Cross

Having found myself bed-ridden for much of yesterday I’m running behind this week especially on previews. The Bandon and Careys Cross club host their annual meeting beginning in the morning and have a cup that contains a number of dog seeking their second victories of the season. Will any of them make the leap up the Champion Stakes table?

Callanan All Age Cup– Draw and Betting

Crescent Dynamo- 10/1
Sullane Jess- 8/1

Take That Now- 10/1
Neidin Abu- 6/1

Fortfield River- 6/1
Blazing Music- 5/1

Lineroad Amigo- 4/1
Laune Emperor- 6/1
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Sir Jingles- 7/1
Knockrour Jazz- 7/1

Bricklane Bobby- 7/1
Ozark Ranger- 7/1

My Sweet Garson- 10/1
Downton Shadow- 4/1

Lochbo Charlie- 5/4
Fleetwood Ger- 8/1

Front Runners

Leading the betting is Lochbo Charlie who is just 5-4 for the Cup. His Desmond Cup victory was as impressive a victory as has been seen this season and while he ran in the Galway and Oranmore meeting also at the Glin field, he was withdrawn after the opening round. He has an opener that he should on paper win against Fleetwood Ger and will then meet second favourite Downton Shadow. Shadow reached the semi-final at Abbeydorney but has done little else to suggest he will get the better of Lochbo.

It’s the second quarter were much of the chief rivals to Charlie could well emerge with both Lineroad Amigo and Blazing Music capable of throwing down a real challenge. Lineroad Amigo, interestingly, is returning to the field where he won his Trial Stake, having beaten the already mentioned Downton Shadow in the final. He also won on his last outing when claiming the cup in Milltown Malbay. He could throw down a real challenge here. Blazing Music ran well in his debut appearance this season in Ennis- Clarecastle and has shown some signs that he could well be dangerous on his two starts since but hasn’t got back among the points. He might find Fortfield River an awkward opponent in the opener but should he get over that his meeting with Lineroad Amigo could be crucial.

Neidin Abu showed that he had potential last season running well on a number of occasions and has been drawn with the ladies in the top quarter. He meets Take That Now who won the Reserve Oaks Trial Stake here last season in the opening round and could then meet the dangerous Sullane Jess in the second. I wouldn’t completely rule out the chances of Jess emerging from that quarter.

In the third quarter Knockrour Jazz has to be fancied however it would be little surprise if any of the other three dogs emerged. Jazz has shown this season that he can be the quickest dog on the field for a round or two but needs to put  four of those runs together to claim the silverware here.

Gurteen’s ‘Time’ is now as he claims Cup in Bandon

Gurteen Time claimed the top prize in Bandon and Careys Cross as he got the better of Here Comes Mafi in the final of the All Age Cup. A son of Wilton Time and Lochbo Katie, this was only Gurteen’s fourth outing. Could Tom Spillane’s hound be an outsider for a Clonmel place. Another win at Christmas time and he’d certainly be in the mix. Here Comes Mafi for his part move onto 6 Champion Stakes points.

Lineroad Amigo claims the only full Derby Trial Stake on offer this weekend and further enhances the reputation of the Castleisland Trial Stake having been beaten in the second round at the Kerry venue. Collete O’Regan’s hound is a son of 2012 Champion Bitch Stake winner Portinard Nine.

In the Reserve Oaks Trial Stake, Take That Now emerged triumphant for Batty Heaphy. Take That Now has had 6 outing’s already this season performing best at Listowel were she was beaten in the semi-final of the reserve Trial Stake there.

All Age Cup

Gurteen Time (Wilton Time x Lochbo Katie) beat Here Comes Mafi

Derby Trial Stake

Lineroad Amigo (Wallace Green x Portinard Nine) beat Downton Shadow (Bexhill Eoin x Qualityandgold)

Reserve Oaks Trial Stake

Take That Now (Castle Pines x Asheld View) beat  Baby Mix (Siena Steel x Tea Party)