Ballymac Marino is favourite for the BoyleSports Champion Stakes

The BoyleSports Champion Stakes kick off this Saturday at Shelbourne Park and the sponsors have made Ballymac Marino the 9/2 favourite to win the €20,000 prize.

Trained by Kerry man Liam Dowling, this son of Vulturi – Jamaica Joy has just retuned from a stint in the English Greyhound Derby at Towcester where he produced some outstanding victories including a fast 28.86.

He has raced twice round Shelbourne Park but one of those races included a 29.72 victory over the 550 yards, beating Cryptopunk by three lengths.

The Owen McKenna trained Callaway Pro Am is the 6/1 second favourite and the pair meet each other in their semi-final heat on Saturday. Only two will qualify from each heat to make up the final six.

The Graham Holland trained Romeo Magico who is 8/1 to be crowned the 2023 BoyleSports Champion Stakes winner. He returned to winning ways last week at Clonmel so comes back to the Dublin circuit in good form.

As well as the Champion Stakes, BoyleSports is also sponsoring the Champion Plate worth €3,500 to the winner. The bookie has installed Romeo Hanzo, prepared by Tipperary based trainer Graham Holland, as the 4/1 favourite.

Sarah Kinsella, spokesperson for BoyleSports, said: “We have a busy few weeks coming up with the BoyleSports Champion Stakes and Champion Plate, the stepping stone for many greyhounds who are planning on running in the derby. Ballymac Marino was electric at Towcester so hopefully he can bring that competitiveness to HQ this weekend.”

BoyleSports Champion Stakes, (place terms: 1/4 the first 3)

9-2 Ballymac Marino

6 Callaway Pro Am

8 Romeo Magico

8 Magical Kuba

10 Undisputed

10 The Other Kobe

12 Sober Glory

12 Ryhope Beach

14 Cryptopunk

16 Hawkfield Blue

16 Trinity Junior