Dowling holds a strong hand in Time Juvenile Derby semis

Dowling five-handed in Time Juvenile Derby semis

Ballymac Stud remains favourite for the Time Juvenile Derby heading into the semi-finals at Shelbourne Park on Friday.

Liam Dowling’s dog shrugged off a surprise defeat in the heats to win his quarter-final in good style from Montana Shadow in 28.49 and, having drawn trap one again when they reoppose this weekend, he is a best price of 11/4 with Paddy Power and SkyBet to go all the way.

However, also in that contest is Rural Pest, who went fastest last week when dominating in 28.15 and Graham Holland’s charge is a 6/1 shot with BoyleSports as he remains unbeaten in the event.

Dowling also has fellow quarter-final winner Ballymac Lake, who is a top price of 20/1, in the same semi-final.

Dowling is triple-handed in the other semi-final, with his Ballymac Tibet looking to bounce back after chasing home Rural Pest and he can be backed at 6/1 in the outright market.

His kennelmates Solo And Go (20/1) and Ballymac Mint (12/1) also feature in that contest, along with Zenith Mikmacker (10/1), who impressed when completing a double in trap-to-line fashion in 28.37 last week.

Time Juvenile Derby (best prices):

11/4 Ballymac Stud, 6 Rural Pest, Ballymac Tibet, 8 Toolmaker King, 10 Montana Shadow, Zenith Mikmacker, 12 Droopys Faithful, Ballymac Mint, 16 Unanimous Leo, 20 Solo And Go, Ballymac Lake, 33 Getup The Boy

Clonbrien Treaty still on course of history in Irish St Leger

Two semi-finals of the Callaway Pro Am @ Stud Irish St. Leger feature at Limerick on Saturday when Clonbrien Treaty continues his bid for a historic third consecutive victory in the event.

Despite approaching his fourth birthday, Graham Holland’s four-time Classic winner looked back to his very best when landing a red-hot quarter-final from the front last Saturday and he is 3/1 joint-favourite with SkyBet and Paddy Power.

Heading the betting with him is Hello Diego, who went seven spots quicker than the defending champion when powered home for a facile success in 29.51 at the weekend.

The Paul Hennessy-trained dog loves the big galloping circuit that Limerick provides and he takes on another quarter-final winner in the shape of Faypoint Harvey, who won in 29.83 and is right behind the front two in the ante-post betting at 4/1.

Flyers Minnie sprang 33/1 shock when making all on Saturday and Colm Fitzgerald’s charge is a 20/1 shot now.

Callaway Pro Am @ Stud Irish St. Leger (SkyBet/Paddy Power):

3 Clonbrien Treaty, Hello Diego, 4 Faypoint Harvey, Daleroad Duke, 8 Droopys Deploy, 10 Blastoff Heffo, 12 Ballyhimikin Ben, 20 Flight Club, 33 Droombeg Banner, Cagey Billy, Magical Sapphire, 50 Flyers Minnie

Syd strong in Irish Sprint Cup betting

Broadstrand Syd is a clear 9/4 favourite with the sponsors after making it two from two in the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup last weekend.

The Johnny Linehan-trained speedster put in another big run in the second round to beat Lennies Tank in 20.70 and he has now posted the four fastest times ever recorded for the 400-yard trip at Dundalk.

Lennies Tank ran a huge race in defeat and is now 9/2 in the outright market, just ahead of Stonepark Browne (5/1), who recovered from a poor break to maintain his winning run.

Droopys Patriot is also unbeaten in the event and is a 6/1 chance, while Epic Ace won at the weekend and is now 7/1 ahead of Saturday’s quarter-finals.

Bar One Racing prices:

9/4 Broadstrand Syd, 9/2 Lennies Tank, 5 Stonepark Browne, 6 Droopys Patriot, 7 Epic Ace, 10 Sogna Ancora, 12 Ballymac Kamala, 12 Southwind Wild, 14 Cushie The Best, 16 Ballymac Brandon, 20 Road Exile, Second Treasure, 25 Ballymac Setanta, Dear Sir, Glengar Martha, 33 Stefans Frost, Raha Nua, 40 Ballymac Jade, Boozed Burgess, 50 Danikas Diamond, Dear Me, Exclusion Order, No More Fiftys, Mirage Majesty