POWERSTOWN BETTING

Available markets for the 2019 National Coursing Festival

Derby Sponsors Boylesports markets can be found here: Boylesports Coursing

Berkie Browne's markets with daily specials and form analysis here: Betbrowne

Course bookie Peter O'Reilly's markets for all stakes can be found below and there are some differences of opinion from the layers!

P O’Reilly Oaks Betting – Non Runner (No Bet) e.way 1.2 ½ the Odds.

First Quarter

9/1	BALLYMAC ENYA	v	RUSHVIEW GOLD	33/1
50/1	OUTCAST ALONSO	v	GO JETTER	40/1
40/1	BREAK THE HABIT	v	ISTEACHAGUSAMACH	20/1
33/1	TAILTEANN STEEL	v	RUSH RUTH	25/1
14/1	KARASOVA	v	SMINKY STAR	40/1
28/1	CARDI BEE	v	MOUNTFINN BINGO	33/1
50/1	THRUTHECHAIRSHAW	v	BELIEVETOACHIEVE	33/1
40/1	GO ELLIE	v	ALVOR	28/1

Second Quarter

33/1	COULD BE LUCKY	v	OUTSTANDING LADY	28/1
40/1	GENTSTOWN MARIA	v	SKELLIG PRINCESS	25/1
7/1	NEWINN FIFI	v	ELEGANT WONDER	18/1
50/1	STEAM QUEEN	v	FOXHOLLOW DARKIE	18/1
40/1	SAMSARA	v	WYNNIE	40/1
20/1	LAURINA	v	CRAFTY CUCKOO	33/1
33/1	ASHTOWN ADI	v	QUARRYMOUNT KIM	40/1
33/1	TRY AND TRYAGAIN	v	RUB AND TUG	28/1

Third Quarter

25/1	MAGICAL HANNAH	v	JAMAICA BELLE	33/1
66/1	TROMORA BLISS	v	HOLLYHILL MOIRA	40/1
20/1	TAILTEANN SPEED	v	CHEERFUL BLONDE	50/1
25/1	BALLYMAC ISMAY	v	CORAFLINN RED	33/1
12/1	CRAFTY PERFECTO	v	DOONEEN CATHY	40/1
33/1	SKELLIG SHELL	v	GADGET VALE	33/1
33/1	KINGSMILL CAT	v	BALLINAKILL GAGA	33/1
25/1	GAISCE BUI	v	STILL AMAZING	40/1

Fourth Quarter

25/1	MANNEQUIN	v	PERSONAL OPINION	33/1
25/1	IRONHILL LADY	v	MUNGOS WREN	50/1
33/1	CATCH KAZURI	v	HAVEANICEDAY	40/1
8/1	CHA CHA MATILDA	v	MAGGS FLY	40/1
33/1	WAVE TO DAVE	v	ATLANTIC FOX	50/1
40/1	SALEEN JULIE	v	DÉJÀ VU	16/1
33/1	WESTLIMERICKROSE	v	AGHADOWN LUNA	50/1
50/1	LIGHTS DOWN LOW	v	HOLLYHILL TERESA	22/1

P O’Reilly Derby Betting – Non Runner (No Bet) e.way 1.2 ½ the Odds.

First Quarter

20/1	MANOR MOAT	v	DOWNUNDER WONDER	33/1
25/1	ASTOUNDING	v	MULBOY BHUNA	33/1
9/1	BOYLESPORTSMAGIC	v	SKELLIG SKINNER	33/1
50/1	CHANCE ME ALONSO	v	LONE TANK	33/1
66/1	UPTHEMAINROAD	v	YIPPEE ASSASIN	40/1
10/1	HUNTINGTOWN	v	COONEY	25/1
11/1	BALLYMAC BINGO	v	CRESTOFAWAVE	40/1
50/1	QUIVERS ANT	v	ROCKING MAGIC	28/1

Second Quarter

25/1	OAKVIEW LEIGH	v	DRIVE ALONG	25/1
50/1	BUDORE MOAT	v	BOYNESIDE BUSTER	33/1
25/1	CLEVER JACK	v	MADE UP	40/1
50/1	ANNUAL CRAFT	v	GLANMORE DEN	40/1
20/1	CRYUFF	v	NEVER A LIE	12/1
40/1	NAVY RACING	v	SOMELITTLERAZOR	18/1
28/1	MOONRAKER	v	STEADY FERGUS	50/1
50/1	FLAGFIELD STAR	v	BIG HERO	50/1

Third Quarter

50/1	BADMINTON BIGBEN	v	COUNT EGUREN	50/1
40/1	WISEGUY ALLY	v	HOLLYHILL MILEY	33/1
33/1	ITSTHEONLYWAY	v	BALLYMAC HUGO	16/1
28/1	IM NOT WAITING	v	TILFORD TORNADO	50/1
50/1	GALTEE SNOW	v	SMOKEY HARVEY	50/1
14/1	BEXHILL LIAM	v	RUMOUR HAS IT	11/1
28/1	INCORRUPTIBLEMEN	v	PICTURE HOUSE	14/1
66/1	DRUMTULLA MAGIC	v	LEADING HAND	50/1

Fourth Quarter

66/1	CLONMORE DROOPY	v	KILLUCAN ROCKET	40/1
12/1	NEEDHAM OUGHAM	v	PLEASE HARRY	25/1
16/1	RETURN TICKET	v	SCUBA STEVE	50/1
40/1	DRESDEN VALE	v	SEASIDE DANGER	50/1
25/1	GIBMAHS DREAM	v	BORNBYTHESEA	40/1
14/1	UNDERSUPERVISION	v	TOEMS MAGIC	66/1
20/1	BALLINVEALA TORO	v	IMPACT FACTOR	28/1
50/1	CRYPTIC HUNTER	v	DURANGO JOHNNY	25/1

P O’Reilly : Kevin Smith Champion Stakes Betting

 Non Runner ( Rule 4 to all bets apply) Win only

7/1	LONE ROCKET	v	LONG JOHN SILVER	6/1
8/1	GRANARD BOLT	v	SOULDERN STREET	10/1
10/1	AHAMORE WONDER	v	WATCHMAN	2/5
4/1	COBRA COMMANDER	v	SHINE A DIAMOND	8/1

P O’Reilly : Grace Bruton Champion Stakes Betting

 Non Runner ( Rule 4 to all bets apply) Win only

20/1	LAKESIDE PEARL	v	BLADES OF HONOUR	1/1
6/1	BALLYMAC MEENA	v	SHARE THE DREAM	2/1
10/1	HEARTOFALADY	v	SOUTHOFHERE	5/1
12/1	DROMOHER GLORY	v	BELLINTER KERRY	3/1

NON RUNNER NO BET APPLIES FROM 26/1/19

TO BET FACEBOOK PM, WHATSAPP OR 0857681304

HAPPY PUNTING !

Indecon will have another say!

IGB:

Tender for ‘review of industry needs’ at Irish greyhound stadia awarded as work begins.

The Irish Greyhound Board has announced the appointment of Indecon Economic Consultants to undertake a comprehensive, strategic review into the future needs of its 16 licensed stadia following a competitive tender process.

The review, announced September last and an integral part of the IGB’s Strategic Plan 2018-2022, will provide an assessment of stadium infrastructure and financial sustainability, along with detailed recommendations regarding the 16 licensed stadia.

A completed overall report is expected later this year.

The brief for the study includes the following:

·         Assessment of the infrastructure, services available and standard of facilities at all 16 licenced greyhound stadia in Shelbourne Park, Curraheen Park, Youghal, Limerick, Tralee, Galway, Mullingar, Waterford, Newbridge, Longford, Kilkenny, Clonmel, Thurles, Dundalk, Enniscorthy and Lifford.

·         A financial assessment of the future sustainability of each individual track.

·         An analysis of population catchments and access arrangements for each individual greyhound track.

·         An analysis of racing schedules for each greyhound stadium.

·         An assessment of any impact arising from availability of breeders or trainers within the catchment area.

·         An analysis of relevant competing sporting facilities within the catchment area.

·         Recommendations regarding the appropriate industry footprint for the future including detailed recommendations regarding individual stadia.



Dr Ronnie O’ Toole, Indecon, stated: “Indecon is looking forward to compiling this strategic review into the future needs of each greyhound stadium within the Republic of Ireland. The review will be tasked with making recommendations for the future of the Irish greyhound industry as a whole. We look forward to engaging with all stakeholders with an interest in the greyhound industry in Ireland.”



CEO of the Irish Greyhound Board, Gerard Dollard, commented: “Stadia will be assessed on an individual and collective basis in several different areas, including finance, population catchment and other competing sporting facilities near each stadium. The greyhound industry, like lots of other industries, has had to change and adapt in a number of different ways in recent years. This review, which is a big step forward in the implementation of the IGB’s five year strategic plan, will progress the industry’s footprint for the future.

Stakeholders within the industry will also be consulted within this independent review.

Irish Greyhound Owners and Breeders Federation.

Statement: 22/12/2018

On Tuesday 18th December representatives of the IGOBF met with representatives of the IGB, namely chairman of IGB Frank Nyhan and CEO Ger Dollard.

After formal introductions, chairman of IGOBF Pat O'Neill outlined the wish from the Federation members to bring forward ideas and concerns in a constructive manner to the IGB, in turn we take back to our members ideas and concerns from the IGB. This will lead to a better understanding for both the participants and the governing body.

Frank Nyhan and Ger Dollard welcomed constructive engagement. The meeting then opened asking the group attending to put forward their thoughts and ideas.

IGOBF Welfare is a major issue for the industry and support for the people and various bodies involved in rehoming greyhounds as pets, the walks being staged and promotions at every track needs to be ongoing and strengthened where possible.

Frank Nyhan said IGB have to keep our regulations up to the mark. We have to look after our racing greyhounds and our retired greyhounds. Retired greyhounds are now present at many tracks on race nights. It will need volunteers to help with this and expand the activity. GOBAs could look at supporting this as has already happened at various tracks.

IGOBF put forward concerns over the perception of drugs in the sport. IGOBF would be in favour of unannounced full meeting testing. The way things are being done presently is not serving the industry well. The perceived in house laboratory would be better outsourced and participants did have concerns regarding the control committee’s implementation of sanctions.. From the taking of samples to conclusion of a finding was too long and it undermined integrity, causing long running rumour and innuendo to damage the industry.

Frank Nyhan responded that the control committee and the laboratory effectively operate independently of the Board, although the IGB cover the costs of both from industry funding.
IGB are working to shorten the time taken to process samples and have findings dealt with promptly. Where cases take longer to conclude it is generally because of legal actions. IGB have recently won two significant High Court cases and will continue to defend any actions should the need arise. The number of tests at kennels and at meetings before and after racing is having the desired effect with a very low percentage of unsatisfactory findings.

IGOBF put forward that participants in the SIS racing appear reasonably happy from feed back we have received. There are queries as to why Irish racing is getting less per race meeting, a fraction of what our UK counterparts are paid. This form of racing should remain secondary to premium racing and participants should also pursue feature and classic events.

Frank Nyhan's response was that this initial phase of SIS racing was a learning curve for all parties over the coming six months and will be reviewed. All going well it can move on from there and assuming that the trust gained in the quality and integrity of the product is not diminished by any individuals actions. As for the difference in the money paid to UK racing as apposed to ours, Irish racing is currently going into a fraction of the betting shops compared to UK racing. It is understood that this form of racing is part of the overall Irish greyhound racing product and that the main goal is to retain a premium racing calendar of events.

IGOBF stated that breeders are in desperate need of financial help as the cost of breeding and rearing a litter is prohibitive.

Frank Nyhan stated it had been put to IGB that prize money would encourage breeders and that was one of the things they hoped was helping. They are willing to listen to any constructive ideas. A suggestion to distribute the prize money between six dogs rather than the first three was discussed. IGOBF agreed to put it to our members before the next forum.

Numerous points were put forward and openly discussed and will be taken up at a later date .

Frank Nyhan extended an invitation to attend the forum whose next meeting will be January 30th 2019 and welcomed further consultation going forward.

IGOBF thanked Frank Nyhan and Ger Dollard for their time and open discussion which we found very positive and encouraging for the future.

Only by working together for the industry as a whole can we hope that with the stormy waters that lie ahead can we survive and hopefully prosper. The participants have seen enough negativity and want to see a way forward.

IGOBF wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a New Year full of prosperity. Padjoe Dorney PRO IGOBF.

Produce hero takes to the Coursing field!

Tasked with previewing the Borrisoleigh Coursing meeting for the bible this week, it took a short time for the entry of Cash Is King to fully register when preparing to study up for the Hitchin Post All Age Cup and when it did, I nearly choked on my coffee!

I had to immediately get on the phone to Brendan Maunsell to check that it was not a mistake and he confirmed that the 2018 Irish Produce Stakes hero will take to slips for his first public appearance in the field come St Stephen's day at the traditional Tipperary festive fixture.

As a confirmed fan of Cash Is King, I find it fascinating and although we have a runner in Trial Stake ourselves at the meeting, all massaging, rubbing, stretching and team talks will cease as Cash makes his way to slips.

It's a warm Cup to be making his debut in with previous winners this season in the shape of Shine A Diamond, Post Graduate and Cooga Ocean, along with Irish Purse runner-up Bagsy The Front, so, we will get clear indication of just where this track star can sit within a high class level in the field.

Indeed from the outset, Cash is likely to face a stiff test as his opening round opponent, Archgrove Magic, went to the semi-final of this event last season and although not seen since, is likely to set a fair standard for the classic winner.

Now, before any detractors deem it necessary to throw a slight on this venture, Brendan revealed that it is simply a change of tack following an indifferent run of form on the track and if nothing else, it may rejuvenate his brilliant tracker. I joked that this might be part of a master plan for a tilt at the Irish Cup and although Brendan did laugh, he didn't rule it out!

I find it both a brave and fascinating move on Brendan's part and being a hugely successful kennel in both codes of racing, it could be folly to rule out Cash Is King as a contender in Borrisoleigh.

This coursing venture does not stop there however and with an engagement in the Comerford Cakes Final at Shelbourne Park this coming Saturday, Redzer Ardfert has a date in the Derby Trial Stake at Borrisoleigh on Wednesday!

Should Redzer and our own runner survive day one of the Trial Stake, they would be due to meet in the quarter-final. Now, I find the whole venture exciting but I might not be wishing him too much good luck if that scenario was to unfold!

Some may call it mad, I find it fascinating and it may yet turn out to be genius. Mixing both codes revealed Ballymac Meena to be nothing short of a star last season and we may be set for similar now?!

Roll on Wednesday! I'll be selfie hunting again!

Cash Is King with yours truly following Produce Stakes victory

MORNING SIS AT KILKENNY & WATERFORD

Early morning greyhound racing to begin across South East tracks

IGB; [ Early risers in Kilkenny and Waterford will now be able to enjoy morning greyhound racing with new fixtures announced by the Irish Greyhound Board.

The meetings, beginning at 8.18am, will be held in Kilkenny on Wednesday mornings – beginning in December – and on Thursday mornings in Kilcohan Park Greyhound Stadium in Waterford, beginning in January 2019.

The new fixture will be available to UK and Irish betting shops, as well as online operators, as part of SIS’s exclusive streaming portfolio.

SIS already own exclusive rights to broadcast several fixtures in Ireland, with current offerings from Limerick, Cork, Tralee, Mullingar and Youghal.

Director of Tote Wagering and IT with the Irish Greyhound Board, Joe Lewins, commented: “Irish Greyhound Racing is now broadcast to in excess of 4,000 betting shops in the UK. This gives the IGB, and the Irish greyhound industry as a whole, further opportunity to showcase our racing product to the SIS audience and to build on the success of the meetings currently being broadcast throughout Ireland and the UK. The IGB welcomes the extension of the SIS programme in both Waterford and Kilkenny. We will continue to promote the product so that Irish greyhound racing can benefit from those exposures and revenues.”

SIS’ greyhound offering currently includes 30,000 races a year, making it the most comprehensive in the market. ]

One obvious concern given the start date will be just how many of the schedule meetings can go ahead on time, or at all when considering the Irish winter?!

Less Talking and more walking Dogs!

So, there will be some who already know but, as with any of my work in reporting or promoting greyhound racing, the end product of those endeavours do ultimately belong to you, the active participants of the sport.

Considering myself a representative of yours, and a publisher on your behalf, I deem it a necessary courtesy to do as I had promised to many of you and go some way towards explaining my regrettable decision to resign my position as correspondent for Talking Dogs on the Irish Greyhound Board website.

In a nutshell, I resigned over pay, or more pertinently, a lack of fair pay.

A few facts in relation to the role:

- My appointment to Talking Dogs was initially for a six month trial period.

- A fee for the "Trial Period" was agreed and while admitted by representatives of the employer to be "on the low side", I, at the time, viewed the opportunity to work for the governing body in such a high profile role as outweighing the small remuneration for that six month period. It was agreed at the time to revisit the issue of remuneration, amongst other factors, if and when the role was continued beyond the trial period.

- Continuing in the role for a number of weeks past the end of the trial period, no communication was made in regard to the role continuing. Neither was there any assessment or appraisal of the trial period offered to me.

- Initiating queries as to the "state of play" regarding my position, almost two months past the end of the trial period, I was informed that it had been decided by the employer to continue the role for another six months at the same rate of pay.

- I expressed my dissatisfaction at the proposed terms and requested a meeting to discuss my position. That request for a meeting was never responded to and I was informed that an increase in pay for the role would not be forthcoming.

With the above considered, I felt that I was left with no option but to resign.

**Putting some perspective on the above, and I won't reveal figures as it may relate to people in the role and/or those who may take up a position in the role, but, with the hours required to produce what I deemed an appropriate level of work to feature on the industry website, the pay, in relation to the hours required, amounted to a relative figure which was far below minimum wage.

A gross figure I might add, and when considered that the executive have ceased issuing press passes, the cost of entry to meetings, the extra travel costs which accompany the role and with tax deductions as a self-employed individual, the state minimum wage began to look very, very attractive in comparison.

Indeed as one IGB Board Member intimated to me, "Sure, it's costing you money to do that job!"

At this juncture, I must point out that my situation is not a construct of the Board and in fact many Board members sympathised with my situation or indeed spoke to the executive on my behalf. That executive however, was unwilling to budge.

From my side:

- I did not want to resign. I simply could not continue to invest so many hours for such little monetary reward.

- I do want to work for the governing body as promoting this sport will be a life-long endeavour on my part, regardless of the comings and goings on the executive. I have expressed that wish to all Board members that I have encountered in recent weeks.

- I could not agree suitable monetary reward for the role but the reward I did get was from you. So many have been in touch to express their disappointment at my resignation while the receipt of thanks from owners, connections and the racing public following features or reports was precious to me. Far more important than any remuneration, it's just a shame that good wishes can't pay bills. However, I thank everyone sincerely for all support.

- The way I see it, the commander of the purse strings has put no value on the work that the role requires. And I suppose a justifiable caveat to that is that they just simply don't "get it", not being involved in, or having an active presence in the sport, or indeed a history in greyhound racing to develop an understanding for why the role is valued by the participants and/or what delivering the product fully entails. Even understanding that lacking, it is however galling to me that my work life and presence in greyhound racing can be so detrimentally affected by such a party.

I know there are some reading this who even went to the lengths of venting frustration with the facilitator of Talking Dogs through letter, email or in person. The very fact that you would even consider to support me in that way is very humbling. I could never thank you enough.

To the track supporters groups of my five assigned tracks, I offer my apologies and wish to assure that I thoroughly enjoyed reporting on events, and especially those that rarely, if ever, got such coverage in the past.

I must iterate that this Talking Dogs experience has been an isolated one within my relations with the governing body and there remains many within the IGB who have aided my progress in the sport. In terms of writing about greyhound racing, I'm going nowhere. I have established trusted working relationships with many in the IGB along the way and will fervently seek to extend those at every turn. The promotion of the sport will always remain paramount. Like I say, this is just one regrettable and isolated experience.

I would much rather have been writing a track report than this, but, the industry deserved an explanation.

Regrettably,

Paul.

More time to walk dogs now at least!!!

PS. I should have added earlier, if you have a syndicate with a bit of a story to tell, or a character at the helm, or an uplifting experience that deserves promotion.....get in touch! I was given the honour of promoting syndicate/ownership stories for the IGB and I do love telling them!

Irish greyhound adopted by Austrian monastery after IRGT re-homing

An Irish greyhound is now living a heavenly life in Europe after being adopted by a priest in an Austrian monastery.

Ballinveala Dudu, now known as Dudu to his new owners, was rehomed by the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust (IRGT) to Germany in September. The dog was then adopted by the priest in the small town of Bregenz, in western Austria, last month.

IRGT Trustee Brigid Frank, from Loughrea in Co. Galway, was a key player in Dudu’s rehoming.

Greyhoundhilfe, the German agency who helped Dudu find a new home, have held a long established partnership with the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust.

Welfare Officer with the Irish Greyhound Board and Secretary to the IRGT, Barry Coleman, commented: “The Irish Retired Greyhound Trust has partnerships with rehoming agencies all over Europe and greyhounds are proving particularly popular as pets in Germany. It is excellent to see Dudu, and hundreds of others like him, finding loving homes and having a happy and healthy retirement. Greyhounds make for excellent pets and have an uncanny ability to transition to the family couch with ease. They are best known as couch potatoes, needing very little exercise or special diet. With greater public awareness we can ensure these prized athletes get the retirement they deserve and equally bring happiness to many people’s lives.”

The IRGT has helped to rehome over 5,300 racing greyhounds since 2008, with 853 rehomed between January and October of this year. The Irish Greyhound Board contributed over €100,000 to the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust in 2017.

The main source of funding for the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust continues to come from greyhound racing owners, through a 2% deduction of all winning prize money which is then matched by the Irish Greyhound Board.

A further 132 greyhounds are on the IRGT’s rehoming list with 60 of these to be rehomed between now and the end of the year. These greyhounds will be rehomed as pets in homes in Ireland, the UK, Sweden, Italy, the Czech Republic and Belgium.