1 March 2019
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Cork trainer Kevin O’ Brien remains in the race for the €50,000 Ladbrokes Easter Cup in Shelbourne Park ahead of semi final weekend.
Nicola McGready from Ladbrokes HQ
Clona Blaze, who finished 6th in the 2018 Irish Greyhound Derby, won his second round heat in a time of 29.32 and will run for the Clonakilty-based trainer from trap 6 of the second of Saturday night’s semi finals.
2018 Derby runner up Magical Bale, Leger finalist Clonbrien Prince and 2018 Con & Annie Kirby winner Droopys Davy are among the notable names that will be taking their places in the traps on Saturday night having come through the earlier rounds.
Patrick Flynn, Sales, Commercial & Operations Manager at Shelbourne Park, commented: “The Ladbrokes Easter Cup always attracts the best calibre of dogs and trainers nationwide. There’s been a real buzz in the air over the last few weeks as we get closer and closer to crowning the overall Easter Cup winner for 2019. It’s been a Classic in every sense of the word so far and we’re all really looking forward to hosting semi final night here at Shelbourne Park. I want to wish the very best of luck to the twelve semi finalists and their connections.”
The competition, ran over 550 yards, traditionally attracts the top Irish greyhounds in training, with this year’s winner receiving €25,000.
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 at Shelbourne Park.
