TWO BRILLIANT SEMI FINALS OF THE CORK CUP

Barry Drake

The semi-finals of the €5,000 to the winner TIME Greyhound Nutrition Cork Cup are the standout races at Curraheen Park tonight and both look like tricky puzzles. 

In the opening heat, a narrow vote goes to the well-drawn Ballycowen Archy. Trained by Dean Harpur for Debbie Doyle, the selection has yet to hit top form in this event; however, he has caught the eye in recent weeks. If producing one of his quickest starts, he is more than capable of making every yard of the running from the rails pitch. 

Made To Measure, trained by Pat Norris for Mark Lowther, is next best. He has impressed the last twice, winning in 28.69 on both occasions. Trap four is not ideal, and he will need a bit of luck early doors. The pacey performer has plenty of all round speed, and he should be in the mix late on.

The second heat is another wide-open contest, and leading early is key to many in this. Daring Diamond, just denied by Made To Measure last week, may have enough early to slip around in front, and if that's the case, he will be hard to stop. In the ownership of James Maguire, the big early pacer can fly to the corner, and a big run is expected in this.

Clonnloch Cliste, trained by Owen McKenna for owners the Green Brigade Syndicate, is another with massive claims. She caught the eye in the opening round, and although out of luck since, she is worth another go in this. A luckless run around last week, the powerful running lady is well drawn in trap two, and she should be in the mix throughout. 

Mylane Dinny rates nap material in race number three. Finbarr Harrington's runner has run plenty of big races in defeat in recent weeks, and in truth, this looks like a fantastic winning opportunity. This is a huge drop in class, and with a decent start expected out wide, the selection should return to winning ways, and he's worthy of market support in this.