Tipperary trained 'The Other Kobe' impresses again at Curraheen Park

The Other Kobe was the fastest heat winner at Curraheen Park on Saturday night in the second round of the Bar One Racing Irish Laurels.

Trained by Tipperary based Graham Holland, this son of Ballymac Best – Mountaylor Queen took up the lead from the second bend and cruised on to win in a time of 28.29.

Seek The Kingdom was a length and a half back in second place for trainer Paul Hennessy.

The outright favourite Tribal Syd failed to qualify for the next round meaning Crafty Shivoo now heads the betting with the sponsors Bar One Racing.

They make her the clear favourite at 5/1 after she won her heat in 28.53 from a tricky draw in trap six. She beat Drombeg Rio and the 4/5 favourite Evolution.

Romeo Taylor, Faypoint Harvey and Romeo Falco gave trainer Graham Holland a 1-2-3 in heat 6. Taylor made all over the trip but just held on by half a length in 28.55. He is now 6/1 from 10/1 and the new second favourite in the outright.

Droopys Bookem won the opening heat for trainer John A. Linehan in 28.49 with his odds cut into 14/1 from 25/1. All the results can be found here.

Sarah Kinsella, spokesperson for Greyhound Racing Ireland, said: “Our 2023 Irish Derby champion has been in great form lately so a crack at defending his title must be on the cards.

“He could be crowned the Irish Laurels champion before that though as his 28.29 winning performance puts him right in the mix. Crafty Shivoo is the new 5/1 favourite with the sponsors Bar One Racing while Romeo Taylor is just behind at 6/1.”