Best Weekend of the Winter

Sadly I won't be over for the best weekends coursing as I have a prior engagement down in London to celebrate fellow syndicate member Ray's birthday. For me Lixnaw has everything, top class entry of dogs, a quality field, facilities, loads of local dogs that I know well and 5 star hospitality. It won't be the same in the Hammersmith Travel Lodge. The success of the meeting year on year is dependant on the many hours the lads put in to the field, club and hares.

In previous years I have had a runner in the local with Zig Zag Heraito(reached Semi Final) and ZigZag Pirate who was just beaten in the Final last year. The Pirate is now owned and trained by Batty Heaphy. Despite Batty's endless hours of training I don't think even he can get the Pirate to beat Jobys Gladiator in the first round of the All Aged Cup. Should he do the impossible he could well meet Owen Mckenna's Catunda Ashmore who reached the Derby Semi Final last year in Clonmel. Also in the Cup are Bigdanstheman, Daleroad Champ and Flowonlovelyriver all owned by the Lixnaw lads.

In Derby I'll go for Tomdickandharry but it looks very tough with 64 dogs in the Stake. In the Oaks I'll chance Eshway Laura and Farneys Alice.

Lets hope all the dogs come off sound and the weather stays kind.