Ladbrokes Easter Cup is whittled down to 24 greyhounds

Just 24 greyhounds remain in the race for the Ladbrokes Easter Cup in Shelbourne Park as we enter second round weekend, with a number of Tipperary-based greyhounds still in with chances.

 

Irish Greyhound Derby runner-up Magical Bale, trained by Pat Guilfoyle in Moneygall, posted the quickest time of the first round in 29.45. Pat Buckley-trained runners Droopys Davy and Tullig Footpad also made it through their hears.

 

Four heats will be run on this Saturday night’s card, with the first three from each progressing to next weekend’s semi finals.

 

Magical Bale’s fellow 2018 Derby finalists Ballyanne Sim, Clona Blaze and Slippy Cian were also among those to make it through to the second round.

 

Tullig Footpad and Droopys Davy will run in the same heat this Saturday and will both be attempting to make it through to the semi finals.

 

The competition, ran over 550 yards, traditionally attracts the top Irish greyhounds in training, with this year’s winner receiving €25,000.

 

Patrick Flynn, Sales, Commercial & Operations Manager at Shelbourne Park, commented: “The first round heats of the Ladbrokes Easter Cup had everything, with plenty of thrills and spills amid the high quality greyhound racing. We’re sure the second round will provide the same this Saturday. I have no doubt the excitement will only increase as we reach the closing stages of the competition. I want to wish the best of luck to all still involved.”

 

The Ladbrokes Easter Cup is one of 14 ‘Classic’ races in the Irish greyhound calendar and one of six to be held in Shelbourne Park, along with the Irish Greyhound Derby among others.

 

The final of the competition will be held on Saturday, March 9.