TEN LARGE SHOCK

Tuesday, March 2^nd

Diane Henry gained her biggest ever training success tonight at Wimbledon when Ten Large Downs sprang an 8-1 upset in the Racing Post Juvenile Championship.

It was an unsatisfactory race in many respects but there was no taking from the winner who popped out in front and did everything right. But there is no doubt but that Pat Buckley’s Newlawn Class was the unlucky dog of the race.

Ten Large Downs shot away from three and immediately bumped Eye Onthe Storm on his outside, while Newlawn Class was tardy into stride from the inside box. But as Ten Large Downs raced clear to the bend, Newlawn Class displayed top early pace and challenged into the bend where he was cut off and drifted wide.

Ten Large Downs was clear down the back but Newlawn came roaring back into the third bend where he looked a likely winner until stumbling and dropping back. From here Ten Large Downs raced on to win handily in 28.10. Shaws Dilemma finished strongly to snatch second from Eye Onthe Storm.

 

GROUP SKATES TO JACKET VICTORY

Saturday, February 27^th

Leading Irish trainer Paul Hennessy claimed another major British prize when Group Skater raced to a very comfortable victory in the £15,000 Ladbrokes Golden Jacket over 714 metres at Crayford this afternoon.

Having reached the final undefeated, Group Skater went off a 2-1 second favourite as Dazzle Special went off a very hot 4-6 favourite. Group Skater didn’t break well but was perfectly positioned to avail of the opening when it appeared on the opening bend.

Dazzle Special was involved in crowding and dropped back to fifth, while Midway Skipper led into the back straight but was closely pursued by Group Skater. The latter accelerated impressively down the far side to lead on the third bend and quickly dashed into a six lengths lead.

To her credit, Dazzle Special ran on very strongly and went second before the seventh bend. However, Group Skater was really motoring up front and she strode away to win by four and a quarter lengths from Dazzle Special in a very fast 44.79. It was another three and a half lengths to Midway Skipper in third.

New joint owner Fr Dan Greene had flown in from Florida to see the dog run and was simply thrilled, while trainer Paul Hennessy watched the race with a group of friends and his staff in a bookmaker’s office in Bagenalstown. He said: “It is great to be the first Irish trained winner of this event. I am thrilled, especially for Fr Dan and, of course, we own a half share ourselves. I am glad also for Joe and Mary Kenny who sold the dog to us after enjoying a great year with him last year. Jimmy Finn and Johnny Shaw looked after him during his time in England and I am delighted for all the crew. We will have a little celebration now and then head for Shelbourne for the Tote Gold Cup”.

Group Skater is a June ’06 son of Top Honcho and Group Special and was bred by the Kennys in Borrisoleigh.

 

FAULKNER NEW GBGB BOSS

Friday, February 26^th

Barry Faulkner is the new CEO of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain and will take up his new position on June 1^st.

Faulkner has previously served as secretary of the Association of British Bookmakers and general manager of BAGS.

 

SKATER WINS AGAIN

Saturday, February 20^th

Paul Hennessy’s top stayer Group Skater maintained his unbeaten path through the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket when running out a very impressive winner of the third semi-final at Crayford this morning.

Group Skater, a 1-3 favourite for the contest, didn’t get away to well but tracked Ard Senorita in the early stages. It was at the fifth bend that Group Skater hit the front and he then powered clear to score a very comfortable six and a half length victory over Ashby Diamond in 45.31. Hennessy’s second runner Hello Hippy was less than two lengths back in third after being baulked in the early stages.

Dazzle Special will be the favourite for the final after her sixteen length victory in 45.02 in the opening semi. She just scraped around the bend in front and went further ahead with virtually ever stride, leaving Bodell Clare in her wake.

The other semi saw the Paul Young trained White Blaze get the better of a prolonged battle with Midway Skipper for a length margin in 46.24.

Draw for next Saturday’s final: 1 Group Skater; 2 Midway Skipper; 3 Dazzle Special; 4 White Blaze (m); 5 Bridge Diamond (m); 6 Eye On the Spirit (w).

 

ACT NOT FOR JUVENILE

Thursday, February 18^th

Trainer Pat Buckley has decided against running Tullymurry Act in the Racing Post Juvenile Championship at Wimbledon on March 2^nd and instead will stick by his original plan to run Newlawn Class in the early season feature.

Though it only carries a prize of £5,000, places in the Juvenile are eagerly sought and Newlawn Class joins the best of last season’s UK puppies in the line-up for the 460 metres contest.

Buckley reasoned that it would be unfair to submit Tullymurry to the test on his first race around Wimbledon. Newlawn Class already hammered the leading UK youngster Eye Onthe Storm in a most impressive performance around the Plough Lane circuit late last year.

Buckley plans to give Newlawn Class, Tullymurry Act, November Weather and possibly Crossfield Shane trials around Wimbledon on Saturday night and expects to run the supporting trio on the supporting Juvenile card.

The confirmed Juvenile line-up is: Droopys Bogart, Eye Onthe Storm, Lenson Bolt, Newlawn Class, Ten Large Down and Westmead Logan. 

 

GROUP SKATES IN

Saturday, February 13^th

Paul Hennessy’s bid for the Ladbrokes’ Golden Jacket got off to a great start at Crayford on Friday when Group Skater landed a little touch when winning Heat 3, while kennel companion Hello Hippy finished second in the second heat.

Group Skater (Top Honcho/ Group Special) was strongly supported through the day and shot past Bodell Clare at the three quarter mark before winning by two and a half lengths from the favourite Dazzle Special in 45.86. The runner-up ran a big race in defeat after being in big trouble in the early stages.

Hello Hippy didn’t look well drawn in Heat 2 but she got away smartly and led until bumped on the seventh bend. Ard Senorita (Flying Penske/ Ard Ebony) then went on to win by three lengths in 45.91.

Fastest heat winner was Danbury Dodger (Maxie Rumble/ Faking It) in 45.67 while the shock of the night was the elimination of reigning champion Lorrys Options as he went wrong early and did not finish behind Bubbly Bam Bam (Top Savings/ Bubblys Pebbles) in 46.37. The other heat winners were Ashby Diamond (Westmead Hawk/ Hill Melody) in 46.14 and Lucerne Rhys (Droopys Rhys/ Blues Best Tayla) in 46.19.

The draw for next Saturday’s semi-finals:

First semi: 1 Danbury Dodger, 2 Brimardon Helen, 3 Droopys Had, 4 Midway Skipper, 5 Bubbly Bam Bam, 6 White Blaze (m).

Second semi: 1 Bodell Clare, 2 Bubbly Finbarr, 3 Lucerne Rhys, 4 Dazzle Special, 5 Fawkham Emperor (w), 6 Eye Onthe Spirit (w)

Third semi: 1 Group Skater, 2 Such Is Life, 3 Hello Hippy, 4 Ashby Diamond (m), 5 Seize The Moment (w), 6 Ard Senorita (w)

 

ROYAL FOR CAHILL

Tuesday, February 9^th

Irish born trained Seamus Cahill had another big success on Tuesday night when he won the Williamhill.com Springbok for the third time, this time Royal Honcho taking the spoils.

Owned by Jonathan O’Callaghan from Knockraha in Cork, Royal Honcho led around the bend and jumped very slickly on his way to a three and a half length victory over Bockos Bullet in 28.59.

 

ZAFONIC TOP UK TRACKER

Monday, February 1^st  

Despite being beaten by Kinda Ready in the final of the English Derby, Fear Zafonic has been voted the 2009 UK Greyhound of the Year by the British greyhound journalists.

The awards were presented at a major function in London’s Hotel Metropole on Sunday and Fear Zafonic got the vote for dog of the year ahead of hurdler Platinumlancelot and stayer Midway Skipper.

Trainer Charlie Lister was thrilled with the award as were Fear Zafonic’s owners Paul Shaw, Simon Wooder and Kieron Roe. Lister confired that Fear Zafonic is being trained with this year’s English Derby in mind and the son of Premier Fantasy and Farloe Oyster is right up there at the top of the betting lists. Fear Zafonic also took the Standard Award while the winners of the other categories were Jimmy Lollie (Sprinter), Lorrys Options (Stayer), Midway Skipper (Marathon, Bitch and British Bred), Platinumlancelot (Hurdler), Eye Onthe Storm (Newcomer) and Droopys Kara (Dam of British Bred). Mark Wallis was named trainer of the year while Kinda Ready’s owners Daren Johnson, Gary Crouch, Chris Badger and Lee Jordan were named the Owners of the year.

 

PRESTIGE OPTIONS

Tuesday, January 20^th

Having finished fourth in the final last year, Lorrys Options stepped up considerably on that form when winning Tuesday’s £4,000 Betfair Prestige final at Hall Green.

The Dean Childs trained Lorrys Options (Westmead Hawk/ Droopys Seville) had been beaten two and a half lengths in the semi by Kinda Easy but went to traps a marginal 6-5 favourite to turn the tables in the final.

This time there was no disputing the outcome as Kinda Easy cut out the running but Lorrys Options shot past at the fifth bend and then drew right away to win by over six lengths in 39.95. It was another half length to Swift Blade in third.

 

£1M TRIPLE DERBY BONUS CONFIRMED

Monday, December 14^th

IbetX.com have confirmed that they will again sponsor the Scottish Derby next year and they will again offer the £1million bonus for any dog completing the treble of Scottish, English and Irish Derbys.

When also confirming that they will bet the Peterborough Puppy Derby next year, IbetX.com will be hoping that the massive bonus will attract plenty of the top Irish and English trackers to Shawfield in March/ April.

 

WALLIS ENGLISH LEGER 1-2

Tuesday, October 27^th

Mark Wallis claimed a special place in the record books on Tuesday night when Kinda Easy won the Williamhill.com St Leger and thus completed a remarkable double for Wallis who had previously won the English Derby with Kinda Easy’s litter brother Kinda Ready.

Making it an even more special night, Wallis saw his two runners battle it out and they were virtually inseparable at the line. It took the judge a few minutes to decide that Kinda Easy had just held off kennel companion Droopys Zach by a short head in 40.57.

Kinda Easy (Just The Best/ Kinda Sleepy) got a real flyer from six trap and was three lengths ahead out of the second bend from Westmead Wings and Droopys Zach. Zach went second halfway down the back straight and closed relentlessly but Kinda Easy just held on to claim the £13,000 prize.

 

IT’S SUNOAK’S LAURELS

Tuesday, October 6^th

Sunoak Crystal provided Sunderland trainer Julie Calvert with the biggest success of her training career when winning the final of the Betfred Laurels at Belle Vue on Tuesday night.

Target Brett went off the 11-8 favourite but he lost his chance at the start when bumping with Iconic Blue, though he recovered magnificently to finish second.

However this was Sunoak Crystal’s night as the daughter of Hondo Black and Precious Beauty broke smartly from four and took the bend from Ping The Lids. From here the bitch was always in command and won by just over three lengths from Target Brett in 28.01 with Iconic Blue a strong finishing third.

Sunoak Crystal was bred in Ballylanders, County Limerick by Steve Potter and she was a runaway winner of her only race in Ireland, winning in 29.98 around Curraheen Park in January 2008.

There was a big upset in the Open Hurdle where Platinumlancelot failed to make it thirteen wins on the trot over the jumps. Jason Foster’s charge had every chance when leading by almost three lengths down the far side but he was collared close home by the Mark Wallis trained Bomber Bailey.

CHARLIE’S 10^TH ANGLIAN

Tuesday, September 22^nd

Having first won the event back in 1981 with Swift Band, trainer Charlie Lister made it ten Betfair East Anglian Derbys when Fear Zafonic led home a kennel 1-2-3 in Tuesday’s final at Yarmouth.

It was particularly special for the trainer that it was Fear Zafonic that raced to victory, thus helping to erase some of the anguish caused by the dog’s injury inspired fade-out in the English Derby final when he was caught close home by Kinda Ready.

This time there never looked a possibility of a recurrence as the son of Premier Fantasy and Farloe Oyster blasted out of the three box and never saw another rival. His young kennel companion Jordansoilutions ran a real eye-catcher in second, finishing a length and three quarter second in 27.57. It was then just three parts of a length to the third Lister runner Farloe Reason in third.

 

MILLAR IS SO SELECT

Thursday, August 27^th

Charlie Lister fielded half the field in the €7,500 Betfred Select Stakes at Nottingham on Tuesday but victory eluded him as the Pat Rosney trained Windy Millar showed great determination to grab a first bend advantage and he then ran on strongly to claim the prestigious one-off competition.

Lister’s Farloe Reason broke well from four but barged his way inwards all the way to the bend, with Fear Zafonic and Crown Rover suffering most. But on the outside Windy Millar (Honcho Classic/ Any Time Soon) moved very smartly to snatch the first bend lead from Farloe Reason, riding a bump in the process.

Once in front Windy Millar was never going to be beaten and he raced on strongly to lead home Farloe Reason by two and three quarter lengths with Cabra Boss three parts of a length back in third.

Following his Irish Derby challenger, the Martin White trained Wise Thought resumed winning ways when he won the Invitation 500. Maintaining a wide course, Wise Thought got the better of a protracted battle with Farloe Titan for a length and a half margin in 29.70

 

HARRY’S GOLD COLLAR

Thursday, August 20^th

Southwind Harry (Droopys Shearer/ Mogeely Marina) sprang a surprise in the €10,000 Totesport Gold Collar final at Belle Vue on Thursday.

A finalist in the same event last year, the Kim Billingham trained Southwind Harry tracked Plough Lane until taking it up around the bottom bends and he then held onf the late challenge of Hurleys Hero by three lengths in 35.21 for the 590 metres. The favourite Crown Rover was in the wars early but stayed on well to finish third.

 

PLATINUM’S RECORD 12^TH

Thursday, August 20^th

The brilliant hurdler Platinumlancelot claimed a special place in UK lists when winning his twelfth hurdle on the trot to establish a new modern-day record.

The Jason Foster trained son of Roanokee and Mist Of Avalon, bought out of Mullingar Sales, has taken the British jumping scene by storm and ran right away from a pretty moderate field to win the 470 metres hurdle.

The Vetsearch Irish Grand National at Harold’s Cross is the major target for Platinumlancelot but he might not have things as easy around the Dublin circuit as he is currently enjoying on the other side of the water.

 

SAVVA’S PUPPY WIN

Tuesday, August 11^th

Nick Savva is back on the major map after landing the £6,000 Stanjames.com Puppy Derby final at Wimbledon on Tuesday night with the highly progressive3 Westmead Logan.

The November ’07 son of Droopys Vieri and Westmead Swift broke fast in the 460 metres contest but was led up by Blood Of Kings which displayed excellent early pace. However Westmead Logan increased the tempo around the bends and was in front hitting into the back straight.

From here Westmead Logan kept on strongly for a two and a half length winning margin over Blood Of Kings in 27.33, a time just one spot outside the track record.

This was a fourth success in the Puppy Derby for Savva who was previously successful with Special Account in 1981, right Move in 1991 and Sarah Dee in 1998.

 

LANCELOT’S LANDMARK VICTORY

Tuesday, August 11^th

Jason Foster’s brilliant hurdler Platinumlancelot made his own bit of history at Wimbledon on the Puppy Derby final supporting card when he equalled the modern era record of eleven successive victories over hurdles.

The son of Roanokee and Mist Of Avalon led from the opening bend en route to a convincing victory over Nebuchadnezzar and he could well go for the historic dozen next week.

It is likely that the sensational jumper will also come to Harold’s Cross in October for the Vetsearch Irish Grand National, an event that Foster targets each year.

 

SYRAH’S 10-1 SUSSEX SHOCKER

Tuesday, July 28^th

Claude Gardiner’s magical year continued in style at Hove on Tuesday night when his Raithby Syrah scored a memorable 10-1 success in the £10,000 Coral Sussex Cup final.

Ballymac Ruso and Windy Millar dominated the betting but the first named, the 4-5 favourite, missed the start and was then crowded on the opening bend. However Windy Millar came away racing and disputed to the bend with Farney King.

Farney King showed in front around the opening bends and still led turning for home from Windy Millar and Raithby Syrah. But it was the latter, a son of Dutchys Angel and Staceys Delight, that proved the stronger on the run-in. He got up in the final strides to beat Farney King by half a length in 29.66 with Ballymac Ruso getting up late to pip Windy Millar for third.

 

WALLIS LANDS ANOTHER CLASSIC

Friday, July 17^th

English Derby winning trainer Mark Wallis added the second most valuable prize in the UK calendar to his 2009 list when Jogadusc Ace ran out a very deserving and impressive winner of the £40,000 William Hill Classic at Sunderland on Thursday night.

Jogadusc broke fast but had to bulldoze his way through at the opening bend as Mario Gomez, Droopys Bogart and Ping The Lids muscled their way into contention. There was a lot of trouble on the bend with Irish challenger Compass Mikey, Ping The Lids and Droopys Bogart put right out of contention.

From here Jogadusc Ace dominated and he raced on to win by almost four lengths from Blood Of Kings in 27.83, with Mario Gomez a half length third. Jogadusc Ace is a November ’06 son of Brett Lee and Star Of Dromin.  

The £20,000 William Hill Grand Prix final was also run and this developed into a race long battle between the two favourites Crown Rover and Lenson Joker. The latter, the reigning champion, went off the evens favourite but the Jimmy Wright trained Crown Rover (Hallucinate/ Saleen  Chloe) grabbed the advantage early and refused to relinquish it.

Lenson Joker challenged all the way but Crown Rover bravely held the challenge to win by a length in 40.27 for the 640 metres. It was almost two lengths to Wordsandatune in third. The winner was bred by Pat O’Connor in Tarbert.

 

COMPASS IN CLASSIC FINAL

Saturday, July 11^th

New favourite to take the £20,000 Classic is the Liz McNair trained Droopys Bogart after his five length victory over Jogadusc Ace in 27.01. The other semi was claimed by Julie Bateson’s Blood Of Kings as hed led all for a length victory over Mario Gomez in 27.10.

Draw for Thursday’s final, with Hills’ betting, is: 1 Blood Of Kings 5-2; 2 Compass Mikey 7-1; 3 Jogadusc Ace 9-2; 4 Ping The Lids (m) 7-1; 5 Droopys Bogart (w) 2-1; 6 Mario Gomez (w) 11-2. 

Favourite to win the £20,000 William Hill Grand Prix on Thursday’s card is defending champion Lenson Joker after Tony Collett’s star clocked 39.14 in beating Crown Rover by two and a half lengths. The other heat winners were Wordsandatune from Bubbly Totti in 39.58 and Lissycasey Punch from Blackpo0ol United in 39.49.

The draw for the Grand Prix final: 1 Crown Rover (m) 13-8; 2 Wordsandatune (m) 7-1; 3 Lenson Joker (m) 5-4; 4 Lissycasey Punch (m) 12-1; 5 Blackpool United (w) 20-1; 6 Bubbly Totti (w) 6-1.

 

WHOOSH LANDS ‘CES

Tuesday, June 30^th

Claude Gardiner claimed another prestigious prize when He Went Whoosh won the Williamhill.com Cesarewitch over the 645 metres course at Oxford on Tuesday.

Going off the 10-11 favourite, He Went Whoosh (Brett Lee/  Arun Sky) didn’t set his normal scorching start and was only third out of the second bend behind Melodys Comet and Heavy Weather. But He Went Whoosh was resilient and dug deep to get up in the final strides for a neck winning margin over Melodys Comet in 39.56.

He Went Whoosh won’t have much of a break as he will contest the third heat of the William Hill Grand Prix at Sunderland on Saturday where his rivals will include the Paul Hennessy trained Olympic Show.

 

LISTER EYES SHELBOURNE

Saturday, June 27^th

The Racing Post has reported that Charlie Lister is strongly considering a pretty sizeable challenge for the Paddypower.com Irish Derby at Shelbourne.

Among his possible challengers are English Derby runner-up Fear Zafonic, fellow finalist Farloe Reason as well as Bandicoot Tipoki and Ninja Jamie.

 

HARRY’S TV SKIPPER

Wednesday, June 24^th

What an occasion it was for Harry Chalkley at Newcastle on Tuesday when Midway Skipper ran out a thoroughly deserved 10-1 winner of the Williamnhill.com TV Trophy.

The daughter of Top Honcho and Midway Tomsascout grabbed the initiative right from traprise as she set the pace from Barnfield Brooke and Ardagh Charm with the odds-on favourite Bubbly Eagle at the rear.

Barnfield Brooke challenged hard down the back on the second circuit with Bubbly Eagle now making rapid progress. But Midway Skipper kicked on again off the final bend and ran on strongly to win by a length and a half from Bubbly Eagle in 56.22, with Brimardon Helen staying on strongly to take third ahead of Vatican Iona.

Not alone does Harry Chalkley train the winner but also bred and owns her.

 

RUSO’S OLYMPIC WIN

Thursday, June 18^th

Dual Irish and English Derby finalist Ballymac Ruso gained some measure of compensation for his Wimbledon defeat when outclassing his rivals in the final of the £5,000 Coral Olympic at Hove on Thursday.

Trained by Matt Dartnall for Patsy Byrne, Ballymac Ruso flew from the three box and was always in control. The 6-4 favourite, a son of Ballymac Maeve and Ballymac Lark, led all the way to beat Barrie Draper’s Magna Venturer by three lengths in a fast 29.48. The winner’s kennel companion, and fellow Wimbledon finalists, Glenard Sunrise was baulked early but ran a fine race to finish a length and a quarter third.

 

ANOTHER DROOPYS STAR

Wednesday, June 16^th

Is there any stopping the Droopys dogs? A new star bearing the famed prefix was the star of the show when the final of the Skybet Gymcrack was run at Hall Green on Tuesday night.

Droopys Bogart, a son of Droopys Scolari and Droopys Gucci, was a most impressive winner for that successful team of Brendan Keogh and Simon Senyk. It was also a biggest ever victory for trainer Liz McNair.

Droopys Bogart went off the 2-1 joint favourite with Farloe Lee and it was close between the pair of them to the bend, with Droopys just holding the advantage. The race was effectively decided on the opening bend and Droopys Bogart cleared the corner but Farloe Lee took a heavy fall.

From here it was Droopys Bogart in a clear lead and, despite running wide all the way, he powered his way to a six length margin over Centurion Enry in a brilliant 28.09, with Eye Onthe Storm in third.

Sunderland is the next stop for Droopys Bogart following this £10,000 jackpot.

 

CENTAUR SCURRIES HOME

Wednesday, June 10^th

Former Irish tracker Centaur Allstar has made a brilliant start to his UK racing career and he was a most emphatic winner of the Showtec Security Scurry Cup final at Belle Vue on Tuesday.

Centaur set a new track record of 15.00 when winning the semi-final over the 260 metres trip and he was again quite superb in the final when flashing out of traps and easily beating his kennel companion Officer Donagh for a great 1-2 for trainer Chris Allsopp.

The name Centaur Allstar probably means little to Irish racegoers – and for good reason. When he was running here he was known as Black Allstar and was a very highly rated tracker.

The son of Hondo Black and Quick Deal was trained by Seamus O’Hanlon for Antoinette Callan and started off by winning the €5,000 Doc O’Connor Open Unraced Stake at Harold’s Cross last August. He was a finalist in the Tote Retention Open 525 at Shelburne and finished third this year in the Tote Gold Cup Consolation behind Oran Classic. The July ’06 whelp was bred by Martin Ryan in Loughrea.

On the same Belle Vue card the final of the Wafcol Cock O’The North was won by the Jimmy Wright trained Hurleys Hero as he led all the way for a very comfortable victory over Gabba Gabba Hey.

 

OOPS – THAT PHOTO FINISH!

Wednesday, June 10^th

Were you watching that Sky Sports programme from Belle Vue on Tuesday and did you see the opening race with the highly controversial photo-finish?

I honestly thought it must have been a send up when the decision was given to Shale Dimitar instead of the obvious winner Jimmy The Singer. The Sky experts initially agreed with the judge’s decision when looking at the photo finish but later changed their mind after “big” Dave Smith had pointed out the error.

The judge’s decision is final and so the result stood but even senior management refused to concede there was a mistake when they were interviewed and were shown the print. Obviously, one must stand behind your own officials but there are times when somebody must simply put up their hand and admit a mistake was made.

A number of off-course bookmakers – and apparently on course also – announced that they would pay out on both the official winner and the rightful winner! One awaits Muttley’s comments in the Racing Post on Saturday but I must say I was glad it didn’t happen on an Irish track!

 

LEE FOR DUNDALK

Tuesday, June 9^th

Leading UK sprinter Miss Lee is heading back home. Following her surprise exit from the Showsec Security Scurry Cup at Belle Vue, the flying bitch is being sent over to Ireland to be aimed at the Bar-One Racing Irish Sprint Cup at Dundalk.

Trainer David Pruhs told the Racing Post that: “She will be joining a friend of mine, John Downey, for the Irish competition. Then we’ll wait until she comes in season and breed from her”.

Miss Lee was formerly trained by Marie Gilbert and she will be facing a couple of current Gilbert stars in the sprint classic. One of them is Brother Lee, a litter brother to Miss Lee and winner of his last race in 28.39 around Shelbourne. Another is Aho Tony which will be a strong favourite for the final of the Junior Cup at the track on Friday night.

 

ASTON INQUIRY

Thursday, June 4^th

According to a report in Thursday’s Racing Post, Irish Derby winner Shelbourne Aston is the subject of an inquiry by the British Greyhound Racing Board following a positive test for “a steroidal substance”.

The report suggests that the test was taken in the first round but connections were not notified until after the dog’s elimination in the quarter finals. Trainer Pat Curtin is quoted as saying: “I was taken aback when informed by the GBGB that the dog had returned a positive test. He has been tested on numerous occasions in the past without any problem so the news came as a complete surprise”. Curtin added that he reckoned the substance had to come through the food chain.

It was also alleged in the Racing Post report that a second greyhound tested positive in the Derby and this was also Irish trained.

 

Blue Square English Derby

SHOCKER READY TO AIM FOR DERBY DOUBLE AT SHELBOURNE

Sunday, May 31^st

Kinda Ready provided one of the greatest shocks in the long history of the Blue Square English Derby at Wimbledon on Saturday night when storming up the home straight to collar long time leader Fear Zafonic under the shadow of the post and the great news from an Irish perspective is that he is set to challenge for the Paddypower.com Irish Derby – and possibly the Boylesports Champion Stakes also.

Sent to traps the 25-1 rank outsider the powerful blue son of Just The Best and Kinda Sleepy seemed in trouble as he sat in fifth spot to the opening turn. Fear Zafonic set the pace after a fast start in the red jacket, but as Ballymac Ruso ran off the bend ending his own chances as well as those of Farloe Reason, Kinda Ready slipped through in second. Wise Thought was third, but he had little chance of catching those in front. 

The race was now on, but Fear Zafonic seemed certain to score as he took a 4 length lead past halfway. Kinda Ready stuck to his task however and clawed his way back into contention as they turned for home.

Fear Zafonic still seemed a certain scorer, but Kinda Ready was now in full stride. In a thrilling finish, Kinda Ready clawed back the leader in the final strides to claim a famous victory by a neck in 28.65. Wise Thought was another three and a half lengths away in third.

For the handler of Kinda Ready, Mark Wallis, it was unquestionably the biggest success of his career and he was visibly shocked when interviewed live on Sky Sports. “I just can’t believe it. I didn’t know he had won until I heard it announced.”

He later confirmed that Shelbourne Park is definitely on the agenda. “Ever since he ran in the Midland Puppy Derby at Monmore we have felt that he could be a Shelbourne dog”.

 

IRISH BREDS DOMINATE BLUE SQUARE FINAL

Thursday, May 28^th

For the first time in many years we won’t have an Irish trained runner on Blue Square English Derby final night at Wimbledon. But it isn’t all doom and gloom with Irish breeding very much to the fore and certain to prevail in the classic final.

For Emmet Hazlett from Limavady it is going to be a very special occasion as he is the breeder of two finalists, the Charlie Lister trained half brothers Fear Zafonic and Farloe Reason. Both are out of Farloe Oyster, herself a daughter of Top Honcho and Farloe Dingle, and a litter sister to Mineola Farloe who went so close to English Derby glory on two occasions.

Fear Zafonic actually started his racing career known as Final Zafonic and was sold after a phenomenal qualifying 28.60 trial around Lifford in February of last year. Farloe Reason had only one public outing in Ireland, a sprint trial around Derry in which he was beaten two lengths by Farloe Nipper.

 

PATSY’S PAIR

If Emmet Hazlett has the honour of breeding two of the finalists, then Patsy Byrne has the distinction of owning two of the finalists, Ballymac Ruso and Glenard Sunrise. Patsy, who hails from Duagh in County Kerry but a mere few throws of a stone from Abbeyfeale in County Limerick, is no stranger to this stage as he has already won the English Derby with Ballinderry Ash back in 1991 and then the Irish Derby with Cool Performance in 2001. He has also had a few near misses and is in a very strong position going into Saturday’s contest.

There’s hardly any need to say that Ballymac Ruso hails from the famed Liam Dowling kennels in Ballymacelligott, just a few miles outside Tralee. He is a member of the strangely named sire Ballymac Maeve’s first crop and could give him his second classic success – Duke Special has already won the Produce Stakes at Clonmel this year.

Ruso’s dam Ballymac Lark is a daughter of Patsy’s Irish Derby winner Cool Performance while the dam Larkina is a daughter of Irish Derby winner Tina Marina. Ruso had just a solitary trial around Tralee in June ’07 before moving to the UK. But he came back to Ireland last year and performed magnificently in finishing third behind Shelbourne Aston and Slip The Lark in the Irish Derby final.

Byrne’s second string is Glenard Sunrise, one of two April ’07 whelps in the final. He is a son of Hades Rocket and Mossley Jo and was bred by Patsy’s great friend Billy O’Toole down in Charleville. The sire Hades Rocket has now achieved a Derby finalist in his first crop and is one of the rapidly rising sires on the Irish scene.

Dam Mossley Jo is a daughter of Larkhill Jo and Perrys Pusher and so is a litter sister to dual Irish classic winner and Irish Derby finalist Droopys Kewell and Tinys Bud, which reached the same 2001 Irish Derby decider. Glenard Sunrise commenced his career at Clonmel where he ran up the Celtic Bookmakers Unraced Stake to Judicial Audit and then went two rounds in the John Morris Bookmaker A1 at Galway before being withdrawn. His next appearance was across the water in Byrne’s name.

 

NEWRY NATIVE

This brings us to Wise Thought and, while it is difficult to describe Patsy Byrne as a British owner, it is similarly difficult with Martin White who is the owner/trainer of this smashing dog. Martin, of course, was a feared handler for many years when operating out of his native Newry but he has been across the water for a few years now and regularly comes back to challenge for the top prizes at Shelbourne.

Wise Thought is a son of 2003 Irish Derby winner Climate Control and was bred by Edward Hayde in Golden from his Concorde Direct bitch Sierra Mist. Sierra’s dam was Ideal Present and this is very much Pat Dalton breeding as she, in turn, was a daughter of Phantom Flash and Wise Flyer. Another coincidence here is that Phantom Flash stood in Ireland at the Kerry Hill Kennels owned by Patsy Byrne!

Wise Thought ran his first three races at Clonmel but was sold on after beating subsequent Produce Stakes hero Knowsley Jake by three and a half lengths in 29.00 during Coursing Week last week. White brought him back to Ireland for an Irish Derby campaign and he finished second in five of his six races, before experiencing a very rough passage in the Derby semi-final and he finished fifth behind, guess who …. Yes, Ballymac Ruso!

We finish off with Kinda Ready which, though officially bred by his UK owners Gary Crouch and Daren Johnson, was whelped down and reared in Ireland. He is a son of Just The Best, already a Derby winning sire in this part of the world courtesy of Shelbourne Aston. The dam Kinda Sleepy is a daughter of Pepes Dilemma and Knockmoylan Lady and was bred by Kevin Ayres in Mullinavat, County Kilkenny. Kinda Sleepy was first known as Sleepy Blue when running in the ownership of John Duggan from Waterford but was renamed when purchased by the Crouch/ Johnson/ Chris Badger team.

 

BARNFIELD RETIRED

Wednesday, May 27^th

Leading UK tracker Barnfield On Air has been retired after sustaining an injury at Wimbledon on Saturday night last.

The son of Pacific Mile and Always On Air was one of the top trackers across the water for the past two seasons and chalked up victories in the Sussex Cup, the Select Stakes and the Blue Square 480 as well as a number of track records.

He will not be retired to stud because of fertility problems but will remain with trainer Sam Poots and his assistant Darran Keefe.

 

A BYRNE – DARTNALL DOUBLE

Saturday, May 23^rd

Patsy Byrne and Matt Dartnall continued their domination of the Blue Square English Derby when winning both semi-finals at Wimbledon on Saturday.

In the opening heat Ballymac Ruso flew from trap three and led all the way to win in most impressive fashion by a length and a half in 28.47, the fastest time of the classic. Wise Thought was second from the opening corner while Fear Zafonic got up to take third after a slow start. Shelbourne Denny was most unlucky in running and third bend crowding ruined his chance of qualifying.

The second semi saw Glenard Sunrise continue his impressive path through the classic. He also broke fast and moved to the middle, shutting off Farloe Reason in the process. Glenard skipped around the bend in front and ran on strongly for a length and a half verdictt over Kinda Ready in 28.77 with Farloe Reason just edging out Cabra Boss for third spot.

 

FINAL DRAW

1 Fear Zafonic

2 Ballymac Ruso

3 Farloe Reason

4 Glenard Sunrise

5 Kinda Ready

6 Wise Thought (w)

 

HIT MAN LAID LOW

Monday, May 18^th

Dotland Hit Man could have run his last race in the quarter final of the Blue Square English Derby at Wimbledon on Saturday.

The dog sustained a broken hock and he is unlikely to race again. The dog was a very useful tracker and performed well under Seamus Graham’s care in Ireland for a spell last season.

He had been a well fancied runner in the English Derby but fate took a hand when he sustained his serious injury at the weekend. The dog was trained by Andrew Bell.

 

THREE IRISH MAKE WIMBLEDON QUARTERS

Sunday, May 17^th

Three of the eight Irish challengers made it through to the quarter finals of the Blue Square English Derby in a very competitive session at Wimbledon on Saturday.

The Owen McKenna trained Ja Mann (Brett Lee/ Black Stone Lace) was the solitary Irish winner as he led from an early stage in Heat 5 and ran out a 3 length winner from Romeo Turbo in 28.98.

Pat Curtin’s Shelbourne Aston could finish only third behind Charlie Lister’s Fear Zafonic in Heat 2 but put in a superb effort to finish strongly after early traffic problems. Fear Zafonic won by a length from Cabra Boss but the fast finishing Shelbourne Aston was just a short head back in third.

Curtin also got Shelbourne Denny through in Heat 7. Droopys Noel was a casualty in this heat where the 12-1 outside Cabra Fly led home Shelburne Denny and the hot favourite Greenwell River in 28.78.

Fastest of the night was Bandicoot Tipoki in 28.65, another of three heat winners for Charlie Lister. He was soon in front in Heat 6 and won by just over two lengths from Bubbly Maestro with Glenard Sunrise in third.

Lister’s other winner was Farloe Reason as he led all the way for a length and a half verdict over Ballymac Ruso in 28.72 with Droopys Quinta just a half length third.

There was an impressive run from the Martin White trained Wise Thought in Heat 8. He was quickly in front and held the strong challenge of slow starting Windy Millar by a length and a quarter in 28.66, with Kinda Ready just over two lengths third.

The Mark Wallis trained Kindred Sparky won the opening heat in 28.97, having three lengths to spare over Marbeck Wonder and Deanridge Fury with the Irish runners Castlehill Pat and Lord Karl failing to advance.

Maxine Locke’s Love Mac came a second time to beat Stop The Show by almost two lengths in 29.10 with Jogadusc Ace a neck third.

 

QUARTER FINAL DRAW

[To be run at Wimbledon on Tuesday]

 

Heat 1: 1 Ja Mann; 2 Love Mac; 3 Jogadusc Ace; 4 Kylegrove Cougar (m); 5 Deanridge Fury (w); 6 Wise Thought (w).

Heat 2: 1 Cabra Fly; 2 Kinda Ready; 3 Droopy Quinta (m); 4 Cabra Boss (w); 5 Kindred Sparky (w); 6 Bubbly Maestro (w).

Heat 3: 1 Farloe Reason; 2 Bandicoot Tipoki; 3 Fear Zafonic; 4 Shelbourne Aston; 5 Ballymac Ruso; 6 Greenwell River (m).

Heat 4: 1 Glenard Sunrise; 2 Shelbourne Denny (m); 3 Marbeck Wonder (m); 4 Windy Millar (m); 5 Stop The Show (w); 6 Romeo Turbo (w).

 

ASTON AGAIN AS ZAFONIC IS BEATEN

Saturday, May 9th

Irish Derby winner Shelbourne Aston moved a significant step closer to the Derby double when running out an impressive winner of his second round heat at Wimbledon on Saturday.

Pat Curtin’s champion was never far off the pace which was set by Kylegrove Cougar and forced his way to the front on the fourth bend. From here he raced clear to win by almost three lengths from Kylegrove in 28.73, with Lazerus another two lengths back in third.

Owen McKenna’s Ja Mann was just touched off in Heat 13 where he was in the wars early but then challenged the favourite Deanridge Fury from the back straight. After a titanic battle up the stretch, the Dean Childs trained Deanridge Fury (Ace Hi Rumble/ Droopys Jan) just took it by a short head in 29.20. Raving Black finished third.

There was a special run from Pat Rosney’s Windy Millar (Honcho Classic/ Any Time Soon) as he scorched around in 28.58. He quickly took it up and won by more than three lengths from Love Mac with Blonde Fern third. A casualty here was Bubbly Totti and also out went Irish raider Starlight Shiraz.

Another Irish trained runner to just miss out on victory was Pat Buckley’s Droopys Noel in Heat 14. He ran on strongly here but failed by half a length to catch the Charlie Lister trained Ninja Jamie (Droopys Maldini/ Farloe Oyster) in 29.04 with Romeo Turbo just over a length back in third.

The shock of the night was the defeat of the ante post favourite Fear Zafonic as he finished only third in Heat 15. He was in early trouble as he sought the inside from trap three and it was Matt Dartnall’s Glenard Sunrise (Hades Rocket/ Mossley Jo) that led all the way for a three length victory over Dotland Hit Man in 28.75, with Fear Zafonic three parts of a length back in third.

Dartnall completed a quick double when Ballymac Ruso (Ballymac Maeve/ Ballymac Lark was a runaway five length winner of the concluding heat. He popped out in front and that was that as he powered his way to victory over Fabulous Quest and Lord Karl in 28.72.

The opening qualifier of the night, Heat 10 was won by Marbeck Wonder (Boherduff Light/ Lizette) which came through to lead on the fourth bend from Cabra Fly and beat that rival by a head in 29.06, with London Walter a similar distance third.

Pat Buckley’s Slick Ace led to the third bend in Heat 10 but faded away as the Mark Wallis trained Kinda Ready (Just The Best/ Kinda Sleepy) took it up and went on to win by four lengths from Droopys Quinta in 28.83, with Stop The Show a short head third.

 

THIRD ROUND DRAW

[To be run next Saturday]

 

Heat 1: 1 Lazerus (m); 2 Marbeck Wonder (m); 3 Castlehill Pat (m); 4 Lord Karl (m); 5 Kindred Sparky (w); 6 Deanridge Fury (w).

Heat 2: 1 Lenson Smoothie; 2 Shelbourne Aston; 3 Fear Zafonic; 4 Glenard Rocket; 5 Fabulous Quest (w); 6 Cabra Boss (w).

Heat 3: 1 Love Mac; 2 Malbay Fletcher; 3 Jogadsuc Ace; 4 Drumna Willow; 5 Stop The Show (w); 6 Swift And Smart (w).

Heat 4: 1 Farloe Reason; 2 Ballymac Ruso; 3 Droopys Quinta (m); 4  Glynnscross Mal (m); 5 Boherna Best (m); 6 Blonde Fern (w).

Heat 5: 1 Ninja Jamie; 2 Ja Mann; 3 Head Iton Ellis; 4 Melodys Pat (m); 5 Kylegrove Cougar (m); 6 Romeo Turbo (w).

Heat 6: 1 Droopys Lee; 2 Glenard Sunrise; 3 Bandicoot Tipoki; 4 London Walter (m); 5 Bubbly Maestro (w); 6 Toosey Blue (w).

Heat 7: 1 Droopys Noel; 2 Lenson Express; 3 Cabra Fly; 4 Greenwell River (m); 5 Shelbourne Denny (m); 6 Dotland Hit Man (w).

Heat 8: 1 Cash Dream; 2 Kinda Ready; 3 Raving Black; 4 Windy Millar (m); 5 Wise Thought (w); 6 Barnfield Slippy (w).

 

BOHERNA AND GREENWELL BURN IT UP

Friday, May 8^th

The Pat Flaherty trained Greenwell River (Spiral Nikita/ Greenwell Star) got the round off to the perfect start with an explosive run in the opening heat. He flew from traps and led all the way to win in a sizzling 28.61 and at the line had two and a half lengths in hand of the staying Droopys Lee with Pat Curtin’s Shelbourne Denny also making it through almost three lengths back. The strongly fancied Tyrur Kenny made his exit after being crowded on the third bend.

Cabra Boss, a litter brother to Scottish Derby winner Cabra Cool, maintained his unbeaten record in the classic for Liz McNair when an easy winner of Heat 2 in 28.88. Showing a nice touch of early pace, Cabra Boss was pursued to the final bend by Jogadusc Ace but was too strong and took it by three and a quarter lengths. Glenard Rocket got up late to take second by half a length.

There was a real turn-up in the third heat where the veteran Toosey Blue (Hondo Black/ Blonde Diamond) got away smartly from six and avoided the trouble that involved all the other runners on the bend. Melodys Pat chased him up but was involved in crowding and it was Lenson Express that posed the biggest danger to the winner, closing all the way but being a length short at the line in 28.89. Melodys Pat managed to qualify in third, some six and a half lengths adrift.

There was another major upset in the five-runner Heat 4 where Ger Holian’s favourite Cash Dream was in trouble at the first bend after a slow start but he eventually managed to qualify in third. The Mark Wallis trained Kindred Sparky (Sonic Flight/ Ballymac Minnie) was soon in front and went on to win by a length and three parts from Lenson Smoothie in 29.13 with Cash  Dream a length and a half third.

 

FLYING BOHERNA

The favourites battled it out in Heat five where the strongly supported Maxine Locke trained Drumna Willow took it up from Swift N Smart before the third bend and then held the strong run of Barnfield Slippy by a neck in 29.09. Swift N Smart took third place another length and a half back.

After a few earlier reversals, Charlie Lister struck with the strongly fancied Bandicoot Tipoki in Heat 6. Lenson Flash cut out the running here but Bandicoot Tipoki (Crash/ Bandicoot Lola) hit the front early in the back and went on to win by more than three lengths in a fast 28.77. Head Iton Ellis stayed on well to finish second, two and a half lengths clear of wide running Bubbly Maestro.

Martin White’s Wise Thought (Climate Control/ Siena Mist) overcame a tricky draw to win Heat 7 after being involved in first bend crowding that saw Fatboyz Nodrog the main sufferer. Pat Curtin’s Castlehill Pat led up but was headed on the second bend by Farney King who led until Wise Thought shot past on the fourth bend and went on to win by a length in 29.22. Malbay Fletcher finished second, just a short head in front of Castlehill Pat in third.

The session ended with Barrie Draper’s Boherna Best (Pacific Mile/ Always On Air) produce the run of the Derby to date with a stunning 28.59 run in Heat 8. The odds-on favourite Farloe Reason made straight for the rails and encountered traffic problems but Boherna Best had no such bother as he soon showed in front and raced right away for a six and three quarter length winning margin over Glynnscross Mal, with Farloe Reason a half length adrift in third.

 

BLUE SQUARE ENGLISH DERBY DRAW

Sunday, May 3^rd

 

FRIDAY

Heat 1

1 Droopys Lee

2 Kinda Easy (m)

3 Shelbourne Denny (m)

4 Greenwell River (m)

5 Royal Hunter (m)

6 Tyrur Kenny (w)

 

Heat 2

1 Jogadusc Ace

2 Glenard Rocket

3 Rocky Rocket (w)

4 Green Mentor (w)

5 Southern Sunset (w)

6 Cabra Boss (w)

 

Heat 3

1 Kryptonite

2 Lenson Express

3 Melodys Pat (m)

4 Mistley Colonel (w)

5 Tyrur Hestor (w)

6 Toosey Blue (w)

 

Heat 4

1 Lenson Smoothie

2 Cash Dream

3 Side Bet (m)

4 Droopys Nicola (w)

5 Greenfield Post (w)

6 Kindred Sparky (w)

 

Heat 5

1 Headford Honcho

2 Nutty Nod

3 Drumna Willow (m)

4 Baran Pedro (m)

5 Swift N Smart (w)

6 Barnfield Slippy (w)

 

Heat 6

1 Head Iton Ellis

2 Bandicoot Tipoki

3 Romeo Del Piero

4 Lenson Flash (w)

5 Westmead Ace (w)

6 Droopys Maestro (w)

 

Heat 7

1 Malbay Fletcher

2 Castlehill Pat (m)

3 Farney King (m)

4 Wise Thought (w)

5 Droopys Taffy (w)

6 Fatboyz Nodrog (w)

 

Heat 8

1 Directors Fire

2 Centaur Allstar

3 Farloe Reason

4 Glynncross Mal (m)

5 Boherna Best (m)

6 Greenwell Cool (w)

 

SATURDAY

Heat 9

1 Cabra Fly

2 Jesters Nap (m)

3 Ravello Drive (m)

4 Marbeck Wonder (m)

5 London Walter (m)

6 Franks Lad (w)

 

Heat 10

1 Slick Ace

2 Kinda Ready

3 Droopys Quinta (m)

4 Coolavanny Dart (m)

5 Lavey Vieri (w)

6 Stop The Show (w)

 

Heat 11

1 Love Mac

2 Attykitt Admiral

3 Windy Millar (m)

4 Starlight Shiraz (m)

5 Bubbly Totti (w)

6 Blonde Fern (w)

 

Heat 12

1 Shelbourne Aston

2 Lazerus (m)

3 Tonduff Turmoil (m)

4 Kylegrove Cougar (m)

5 Mountjoy Ruby (w)

6 Sky Bound (w)

 

Heat 13

1 Raving Black

2 Ja Mann

3 King Edward (w)

4 Penn Razle (w)

5 Deanridge Fury (w)

6 Bonville Brett (w)

 

Heat 14

1 Ninja Jamie

2 Ballymac Under

3 Droopys Noel

4 Fire For Effect (w)

5 Droopys Director (w)

6 Romeo Turbo (w)

 

Heat 15

1 Goldcrest King

2 Barnfield On Air

3 Fear Zafonic

4 Glenard Sunrise

5 Tyrur Kerril (m)

6 Dotland Hit Man (w)

 

Heat 16

1 Iceman Vader

2 Eye Eye Pickle

3 Ballymac Ruso

4 Lord Karl (m)

5 Fabulous Quest (w)

6 Wise Opinion (w)

 

CURTIN’S WIMBLEDON TREBLE

Saturday, May 2^nd

If Patsy Byrne was the star show on the opening night, it was the turn of Irish trainer Pat Curtin at the second session of the Blue Square English Derby at Wimbledon on Saturday. Curtin had three runners on the night and all three obliged on a night when the first five heat winners were all Irish trained.

The opening heat saw the Ger Holian trained Cash  Dream lead all the way for a four length verdict over Stop The Show in 28.81. The winner’s kennel companion Starlight Shiraz also qualified in fourth place.

The second heat was won by Owen McKenna’s Side Bet in 29.03. Here the Irish favourite Forest Master was knocked over at the second bend and Lemon Smoothie cut out the running but Side Bet took it up on the fourth bend and went on to win by a length and three parts from Lenson Smoothie.

Then we had the Curtin trio and it commenced with Shelbourne Denny in Heat 15. He took it up around the opening bends and ran on strongly to hold the challenge of Cabra Fly by half a length with Bubbly Totti a similar distance third.

Curtin brought up the double when Castlehill Pat got up late to pip Pat Buckley’s Slick Ace by a head in 29.28, with Green Mentor back in third.

And Irish Derby hero Shelbourne Aston then came up trumps in Heat 17 when storming to the front around the bottom bends and drawing clear for a three length margin over Bonvill Brett in 29.05.

Last year’s finalist Lenson Express won Heat 18 when getting up late to beat Head Iton Ellis by a neck in 29.07 and then the P.J. Fahy owned Tyrur Kenny, trained by Charlie Lister, won Heat 19 when leading from the first bend for a three parts of a length verdict over Coolavanny Dart in 28.92.

Lister completed a double when the odds-on Farloe Reason won Heat 20 in 28.84. He flashed out of the fiv box and led all the way for a two length victory over Wise Opinion with Kinda Ready in third.

Former Seamus Graham trained Dotland Hit Man took over from Tyrur Hestor on the second bend in Heat 21 and went on to win by 3 lengths in 29.04, while Dean Childs turned out London Walter to win Heat 22 from Eye Eye Pickle in 28.92. 

Slip The Lark was a shock casualty in Heat 23 where he was involved in bad first bend crowding. Victory here went to Kinda Easy which led all the way in beating the favourite Bandicoote Tipoki in 28.87.

The final heat of the round was won by the Dean Childs trained Deanridge Fury which led from the second bend for a three and a half length verdict over Lavey Vieri in 29.03.

 

PATSY’S OPENING NIGHT FOUR-TIMER

Friday, May 1^st

Duagh born Patsy Byrne enjoyed an incredible opening night to the Blue Square English Derby at Wimbledon on Friday when Melodys Pat, Ballymac Under, Ballymac Ruso and Glenard Sunrise completed a fantastic four-timer..

Pa Fitzgerald trained the first pair. Melodys Pat set the classic in motion when breaking fast in the opening heat and leading all the way for a 2 length victory over fellow Irish raider Droopys Noel in 28.91. Melodys Pat led all the way but slow starting Droopys Noel also ran well to take second by a head from Mistley Colonel.

Three races later his kennel companion Ballymac Under also came out on top – but not before he gave his supporters a mighty shock. He made a mess of the start from trap one but showed fine early pace to chase Droopys Maestro into the far side. He hit the front between the final bends and went on to win by two and a half lengths from Barnfield Slippy in 28.79, a very good run in the circumstances. Droopys Maestro finished third but Pat Curtin’s Spot The Man made his exit in fifth place…

Ballymac Ruso, trained by Matt Dartnall, was then a runaway winner of Heat 8 when taking it up before the bend and running right away from Kylegrove Cougar in 28.68. And it was also Dartnall that provided the fourth Byrne winner as Centaur Allstar went past Irish trained Balliniska Woods before the third bend and strode clear for a three and a quarter length verdict over Ravello Drive in 29.21.

Another Irish success looked on the cards in the second heat when the hot favourite Ja Mann took up the lead on the opening bend but could never shake off his pursuers and was collared in the final strides by the Richard Yeates trained Lazerus. The verdict was a head in 29.05.

Ante-post favourite Fear Zafonic produced a brilliant performance when clocking 28.66 in Heat 3. He broke smartly and was soon in front, going clear out of the second bend and comfortably holding the good effort of Jesters Nap by just over three lengths with Greenwell River a length and a half back in third.

 

LISTER DOUBLE

Charlie Lister went on to complete a double when the strongly fancied Ninja Jamie won Heat 6 in 28.95. King Edward set a strong pace but Ninja Jamie took him on the inside around the bottom bends and went on to win by two lengths in 28.95 with Drumna Willow in third. Last year’s Derby third Blonde Dino was a casualty here.

Scottish Derby winner Cabra Cool made his early exit in Heat 5 where he missed out on qualifying by a short head to compatriot Fatboyz Nodrog. Both dogs were involved in early crowding and two 14-1 chances battled it out with Southern Sunset beating Droopys Quinta by a length and a half in 28.96.

In Heat 7 it was the turn of Maxine Locke’s Love Mac to win in 28.88. Here Lister’s Kryptonite looked set for victory when clear down the back but Love Mac came strongly up the straight to snatch victory by just over a length while Swift N Smart took the third spot.

Cabra Cool’s litter brother Cabra Boss was another very easy winner when leading out of the second bend in Heat 9. From here he was too strong and won by four and three quarter lengths from Tonduff Turmoil in 28.79, with Royal Hunter in third.

Many had predicted that Heat 10 would be the race of the round but the Pat Rosney trained Windy Millar quickly asserted as he led into the first bend and then defied catching. Wise Thought ran on well but was still two and a half lengths adrift of Windy Millar at the line. The winning time was 28.70.

 

FERN TAKES RIBAND

Tuesday, April 21^st

The well gambled Blonde Fern got a flier from the outside box and once clearing the opening bend was never threatened as she collected the £10,000 Williamhill.com Blue Riband over the 480 metres at Hall Green on Tuesday.

Blonde Fern was supported from early prices of 7-1 into 4-1 and she never gave her supporters a moment’s worry after cutting across on the bend and going clear from Jogadusc Ace. From here Blonde Fern was in command and at the line had four and a half lengths in hand as she stopped the clock in 28.06, just one spot outside the track record held by Toosey Blue.  There was a dead heat for second place between Jogadusc Ace and Lenson Express.

It was a first major victory for trainer Tony Dean and she is owned by Mark Currell. Formerly known as Swift Havok, Blonde Fern is an October ’06 daughter of Hondo Black and Returned Fire and was bred in County Kildare by Ian Greaves.

 

ZAFONIC’S TRIAL WIN

Tuesday, April 21^st

Blue Square English Derby favourite Fear Zafonic pleased his supporters when winning a Trial Stake at Wimbledon on Tuesday night. The Charlie Lister trained son of Premier Fantasy and Farloe Oyster experienced some traffic problems as he forged inwards early but was in front by the bend and won by a length from Droopys Director in 29.09.

Last year’s Irish Derby finalist Ballymac Ruso was disappointing as he could only finish third bend Eye Eye Pickle (Droopys Kewell/ Cherry Sparkler) in 29.07, while other trial stake winners were Malbay Fletcher (Tucks Mein/ Malbay Devika) in 29.16, Eye Onthe Brave (Ballymac Maeve/ Ballymac Minnie) in 29.15 and Plassey (Hondo Black/ Chosen Away) in 28.97.

 

DISTANT LEGEND SECOND

Tuesday, April 7^th

Irish raider Distant Legend ran a great race in the final of the Stanjamesuk.com Grand National at Wimbledon on Tuesday but had to settle for second place behind the Seamus Cahill trained Hotdog Jack.

A mistake at the first hurdle didn’t help Distant Legend’s chances but he moved strongly to go second around the bottom and set after Hotdog Jack, which had got the better of a protracted battle with Platinumlancelot at halfway.

However Hotdog Jack (Droopys Vieri/ Hare Star) kept on well to win by a length and three quarters from Julie Power’s Distant Legend in 28.49. Nebuchadnezzar kept on to take third place a similar distance back.

 

IRISH 8 SURVIVE IN SCOTLAND

Wednesday, April 1^st

Eight Irish trained greyhounds survived the opening round of the ibetX.com Scottish Derby at Shawfield on Tuesday and the Pat Buckley trained Ardkill Tunoco was fastest qualifier when winning his heat in a very smart 28.75.

Both Ardkill Tunoco and his kennel companion Slip The Lark have been changed to wide seeding for Saturday’s second round. Slip The Lark ran very wide when caught close home by Windy Miller in the first heat, with ante post favourite Ninja Jamie in third in 29.08.

Former Irish trained Dotland Hit Man clocked 28.84 when beating Irish pair Tyrur Laurel and Daleys Buzz in 28.84.

Ja Mann didn’t handle the track too well when finishing third behind Farloe Reason in 29.32. Cabra Cool was caught close home by the well gambled Thurlesbeg Joker in 29.02.

Fraser Black’s challengers Must Be Keano and Forest Master clashed in the first round when filling second and third places and they are due to meet again in Heat 3 on Saturday.

 

SCOTTISH DERBY 2^ND ROUND

HEAT 1: 1 Ninja Jamie; 2 Farloe Reason; 3 Drive On Captain; 4 Windy Millar (m); 5 Ardkill Tunoco (w); 6 Thurlesbeg Joker (w).

HEAT 2: 1 Glengar Alfred; 2 Drumna Classic; 3 Cabra Cool; 4 Daleys Buzz; 5 Ja Mann; 6 Unabashed (w).

HEAT 3: Da Attic; 2 Forest Master; 3 Must Be Keano; 4 Head Iton Ellis; 5 Dotland Hit Man (m); 6 Drumna Thistle (m).

HEAT 4: 1 Mill Pinpoint; 2 Crown Rover; 3 East County; 4 Tyrur Laurel (m); 5 Greenwell Cool (m); 6 Slip The Lark (w).

 

LEGEND A 14-1 NATIONAL HOPE

Wednesday, April 1^st

While there are eight Irish trained dogs still standing in the Scottish Derby, Distant Legend is the solitary standard bearer in the Stan James Grand National which reaches the semi-final stage at Wimbledon on Friday.

Julie Power’s Irish National hero finished second behind his former kennel companion The Other Outlaw in his heat last Saturday when he was slowly away and endured a rough passage. He has a trap six draw in the second semi-final and looks good value to lead them home. One suspects that current odds of 14-1 will be much shortened after Friday’s racing.

 

ZORRO’S PALL MALL

Tuesday, March 24^th

The Paul Sallis trained Drink Up Zorro justified favouritism when leading all the way to gain a thrilling victory in the Williamhill.com Pall Mall at Oxford on Tuesday.

The son of Gallpip Trooper and Hows Tings broke fast from four and was closely pressed all the way by Brickfield Class, with Lenson Express in close touch throughout.

Approaching the third bend Brickfield momentarily showed ahead but Drink Up Zorro is brave and he battled back to shade an epic battle by a short head in 27.18, with Lenson Express less than a length back in third.

 

A ROMP FOR CHARLIE

Tuesday, March 17^th

Charlie Lister first, the rest nowhere! That was the story from the Betfair Trainers’ Championship at Sheffield on Tuesday night.

Despite having no runner in the standard due to the withdrawal of hot favourite Fear Zafonic, Lister absolutely dominated the evening’s proceedings and won six of the eight races.

Included among Lister’s winners were two P.J. Fahy owned dogs, Tyrur Hestor which won the sprint and Tyrur Rodge which made a winning six bend debut over 660 metres. The other Lister winners were Tullymurry Kiara, Ninja Jamie, Carbarns Tom and Farloe Reason.

The other winners were the Mark Wallis trained Roswell Startrek and Barrie Draper’s Thurlesbeg Joker.

 

NOEL IN WHITE

Friday, February 27^th

Irish Puppy Derby hero Droopys Noel has drawn trap three for Tuesday’s Racing Post Juvenile Championship at Wimbledon.

The likely favourite is Fear Zafonic after drawing the inside box, while Boherna Best is also well housed in six. The draw is: 1 Fear Zafonic; 2 Droopys Kez; 3 Droopys Noel; 4 Mottos Star; 5 Deanridge Fury (w); 6 Boherna Best (w).

Pat Buckley, trained of Droopys Noel, is also bringing over College Causeway  for the Emily Woods Memorial Invitation over 480 metres and he goes from five in a race that could do justice to a Derby final. The draw is: 1 Shaneboy Luke; 2 Ninja Jamie; 3 Droopys Carvalho (m); 4 Lenson Joker (m); 5 College Causeway (m); 6 Bubbly Totti (w).

A third Buckley runner on the night will be Ardkill Tunoco in an open 460 and he runs from trap three in a race that includes Irish Derby finalist Ballymac Ruso. The draw here is: 1 Full Bloom; 2 Cabra Boss (m); 3 Ardkill Tunoco (m); 4 Ballymac Ruso (m); 5 Mistley Colonel (w); 6 Lethal Freddie (w).

 

FLYING WINNER BEATEN

Thursday, February 19^th

Flying Winner’s great winning sequence came to an end when she could finish only second behind local hero Wise Maldini in a 737 metres open at Swindon on Thursday night.

The Bitch and Marathon greyhound of 2008 looked in good shape when in third place from the opening bend behind fast starting Wise Maldini and Rough Bellamy.

However, Flying Winner is at her best nowadays over the extreme distances and she never looked like overhauling Wise Maldini. She got into second on the final corner but Wise Maldini ran out a deserved and convincing winner.

 

IT’S CORRIG’S ARC

Thursday, February 19^th

The final of the Blue Square Arc was the top race at Swindon on Thursday and the winner’s prize of £10,000 was claimed by the Mark Wallis trained Corrig Vieri.

Shaneboy Luke went off a strong favourite but was crowded early and Grillagh Guru led up. However he ran wide on the opening bend of the 480 metres contest and Corrig Vieri slipped through on the inside to lead into the back.

Lenson Express challenged down the far side but Corrig Vieri held him to the third bend and then ran on to win impressively in 28.92. He was followed over the line by Lenson Express and Mistley Colonel.

Corrig Vieri is a November ’06 son of Droopys Vieri and Corrig Rebel and was bred in Tralee by Eugene Reidy.

 

COLLEGE SIZZLES

Tuesday, February 18^th

Pat Buckley’s trip to Wimbledon on Tuesday had the locals buzzing as his star trackers produced hugely impressive runs in their second look at the track.

College Causeway was particularly impressive as he flew around the 460 metres in a scorching 27.34 solo spin. Observers report that he maintained a middle to wide course throughout and trainer Buckley confirmed afterwards that the dog will be back at Wimbledon on March 2^nd provided there is a race for the dog over 480 metres.

Buckley’s Irish Derby runner-up Slip The Lark covered the 460 metres in 27.67, while his Racing Post Juvenile Championship contender Droopys Noel clocked 27.76 for the same distance.

NORTHERN UK AWARDS

Tuesday, February 17^th

Tickets are on sale for the 2008 Northern Greyhound Awards which will take place on Sunday, April 26^th at the Queens Hotel in Leeds.

This is the third year of the awards and the tickets cost £40 each. The evening includes a three course meal and dancing to a live band. Details from Martina Sullivan on (00 44) 208 652 7444.

 

TOTTI’S WINNING RETURN

Tuesday, February 10^th

Ted Soppitt’s Bubbly Totti made a winning return from a lengthy lay-off when a runaway winner of an open 480 contest on the Springbok final programme at Wimbledon on Tuesday.

Totti, a son of World Class and Droopys  Seville, went off the 6-4 favourite ahead of market rival Goldcrest King. He broke well but was slightly outpaced to the bend. However on the back straight Bubbly Totti really motored and shot the third bend to be clear turning for home. Totti powered clear up the straight to win by five and a half lengths from former Irish runner Cabra Cool in 28.75.

Soppitt afterwards outlined a similar campaign as last year for Bubbly Totti. “I think he is a better dog than last year, to come back from a sprained hock and do that run proves how good he is. He might have one more run before the Scottish Derby and we’ll move on from there”.

After missing her proposed run at Clonmel last week, Flying Winner returned to action when winning an open 872 contest. She was led early by Genesis Alix but took over before halfway and ran out a very convincing winner from the strong staying Bubbly Eagle.

The favourite Nebuchadnezzar never got in a blow in the final of the Springbok and the £5,000 prize was won by 6-1 chance Bomber Bailey in a very fast 27.96. The Mark Wallis trained Bomber Bailey (Confident Choice/ Garry Special) was in command before the opening bend and jumped boldly all the way as he led home quick starting Love Lynx by two and a quarter lengths.

 

JOKER IS UK TOP DOG

Monday, January 26^th

Lenson Joker was named the UK Greyhound of the Year for 2008 at the GBGB Awards function at the Hilton Metropole in London on Sunday evening.

Also named the Stayer of the Year, Lenson Joker just saw off Boherna Best in the voting for the main award. Completing a fantastic night for Joker’s owners Len Ponder, Ralph Lawrence and Tommy Mills, they were also honoured as Owners of the Year.

Boherna Best was voted the winner of the Standard Distance award with the Seamus Graham trained Loyal Honcho second in the voting. 

The other award winners were:

• * Sprinter – Boherbradda Mac
• * Standard – Boherna Best
• * Stayer – Lenson Joker
• * Marathon – Flying Winner
• * Hurdler – Kildare Lark
• * Bitch – Flying Winner
• * Newcomer – Boherna Best
• * British Bred – Westmead Osprey
• * Dam of Best British Bred Litter – Droopys Jean

 

ZAFONIC THE DERBY FAVOURITE

Saturday, January 24^th

Following his very impressive victory in Thursday’s Birmingham Cup final at Perry Barr, Fear Zafonic is now a clear 16-1 favourite for the Blue Square English Derby.

The Charlie Lister trained son of Premier Fantasy and Farloe Oyster easily justified 4-5 favouritism in Thursday’s final. Showing determination on the run up, he took control on the opening bend where his kennel companion Affleck Elite checked badly, apparently injured.

From here it was all Fear Zafonic and he powered on to win by four and a half lengths from Goldcrest King in 28.44.

In the post race interview Lister suggested that Fear Zafonic will not be too busy before the Derby and Blue Square reacted by quoting him as the 16-1 favourite with Wise Thought next at 20-1 and Boherna Best at 25-1.

 

WINNER’S RETURN

Tuesday, January 13^th

Chris Lund’s Flying Winner hasn’t run since her sensational record breaking performance in the final of the Ted Hegarty Marathon at Harold’s Cross in late December. But that return is now only around the corner.

The bitch was held up in her work by the cold snap and the frozen ground conditions but she had a trial over 660 metres at Sheffield on Saturday and clocked a very impressive 39.89. Expect to see her in action in the next week or so.

 

BUCKLEY’S JUVENILE INTEREST

Thursday, December 18^th

Irish trainer Pat Buckley has expressed interest in running his Puppy Derby winner Droopys Noel in the Racing Post Juvenile Championship at Wimbledon on March 3^rd.

Said Buckley: “I’d love to get the invitation to run at Wimbledon and I think his form in the Irish Puppy Derby would give him a great chance in the Juvenile”.

It is very early days when considering the Juvenile as it will be run much later in 2009. Formerly run in early January, it was then switched to February but won’t be run next year until March 3^rd.

 

AMY’S OAKS UPSET

Tuesday, December 16^th

The Kim Billingham trained Meenala Amy sprang a 10-1 upset in the final of the Williamhill.co.uk Oaks at Wimbledon on Tuesday night.

The daughter of Droopys Shearer and Lassana Jenny flew out of the two box and was left clear when the inside runner Droopys Quinta moved wide on the bend and caused crowding.

Meenala Amy was clear down the back but Droopys Quinta and Ravello Drive closed rapidly around the bottom bends. Ravello Drive came home strongest but Meenala Amy held on for a neck verdict in 28.99. Droopys Quinta took the third spot, a fine performance from the April ’07 puppy.

  

IRISH INTEREST ENDS

Saturday, December 6^th

Irish interest in the William Hill English Oaks ended at the second round stage at Wimbledon on Saturday when both of Dolores Ruth’s raiders failed to survive.

Razldazl Jewel missed the start and had to check on the second bend before finishing fifth behind Karen Sim’s Lochbo Meg (Fortune Mike/ Lochbo Cedar) in 28.85.

In the very next heat Cool Cousin Suzy missed the start and was then in first bend wars as she finished fifth behind the Richard Rees trained Ravello Drive (Crash/ Danis Princess) in 28.66. The hotly fancied Droopys Quinta was caught in the final stride in this heat when going under by a short head.

The first heat saw the Dave Mullins trained Dangerous Lady (Larkhill Jo/ Lughill Angel) just hold off Steady Scholes by a short heat in 28.81, while the other heat saw the Kim Billingham trained Meenala Amy (Droopys Shearer/ Lassana Jenny) lead all the way for a length margin over Ontheriver Queen in 28.76.

The semi-finals will be run on Tuesday but the Seamus Cahill trained Droopys Quinta remains the favourite narrowly ahead of Lochbo Meg.

 

RUSO IN TOP FORM

Saturday, December 6^th

Irish Derby finalist Ballymac Ruso was in highly impressive form at Monmore on Saturday when setting a new record in the final of the £2,500 Cotswold Scaffolding 480.

Patsy Byrne’s dog flew from traps and was quickly clear. His stride was shortening from the final bend but he still had a length and three quarters to spare over Marbeck Wonder in a time of 27.79, an improvement of two spots on Blonde Dino’s previous mark.

 

RUTH PAIR QUALIFY

Wednesday, December 3^rd

Dolores Ruth’s two challengers for the William Hill English Oaks safely negotiated the opening round at Wimbledon on Tuesday.

First into action was Razldazl Jewel in Heat 2 and she survived early bumping to finish third, beaten almost five lengths by the David Mullins trained Dangerous Lady (Larkhill Jo/ Lughill Angel) in 28.93.

Cool Cousin Suzy contested Heat 5 and rode a bump to lead between the opening bends. However Kim Billingham’s Meenala Amy (Droopys Shearer/ Lassana Jenny) proved too strong as she beat Fabulous Azure and Cool Cousin by three parts of a length and a short head in 29.27.

Trainer Seamus Cahill made an outstanding start to the classic as he completed a treble. He turned out Sean Dunphy’s Droopys Quinta (Droopys Vieri/ Macy Gray) for a most impressive four length margin over Droopys Nicola in 28.75.

Droopys Lotto (Droopys Scholes/ Droopys Briney) equalled that time when holding Killough Belles by a neck in Heat 8 and the third Cahill winner was Kilelton Rose (Honcho Classic/ Saleen Dawn) as she led all to beat Imeldas Princess by two and a half lengths in 29.05.

The other heat winners were Ontheriver Queen (Top Honcho/ Midway Tomscout) in 28.97, Special Liberty (Droopys Maldini/ Matriarch) 29.05 and Adamant Mojo  (Droopys Kewell/ Gragane Lady) 29.17.

 

ERNIE’S DREAM VASE

Tuesday, December 2^nd

There was a major shock in the final of the Coral Essex Vase at Romford on Tuesday when Brickfield Dream ran out an 8-1 winner of the £10,000 prize while favourite Bubbly Totti came home fourth of the five runners.

It was a very disappointing effort from Bubbly Totti as he had every chance throughout but just couldn’t seem to handle the tight Romford circuit.

Meanwhile the Ernie Gaskin trained Brickfield Dream got away smartly and led all the way to win in a very exciting finish. He held the persistent challenge of Bomber Blue by a head in 35.67, while it was just a short head to the unlucky Droopys Carvalho which was absolutely flying home after early trouble.

Brickfield Dream is a February ’05 son of Boherduff Light and Kehers Friend and was bred by Anne O’Brien in Kilmallock.

 

WISE ECLIPSES RIVALS

Thursday, November 20th

Wise Thought confirmed his standing as one of the best the British have to offer when claiming the Betfred Eclispe for Martin White at Nottingham on Thursday. Sent to traps the 2-5 favourite, the wide running blue gave his supporters a few moments worry after a tardy start, but he quickened up well to lead from the second turn.

Once doing so the result was never in doubt and he maintained a strong gallop all the way to the line to beat the fast finishing Romeo Maldini by 2 lengths in a fast 29.62. Bawnfune Mal was a further length and three quarters back in third spot.

 

WINNER ON TARGET FOR THE CROSS

Thursday, November 20th

Flying Winner remains on target for the Ted Hegarty Marathon at Harold’s Cross next month after a facile victory at 1-10 at Nottingham on Thursday night. The brilliant bitch is simply different class to her rivals over eight bends across the pond and she will now bid to prove her worth on this side of the pond.

Despite finding traffic problems on the opening lap in the Betfred League Of Legends Marathon Cup, the daughter of Flying Penske eased clear to comfortably see off her rivals in a new track record. Speaking after the race, her handler Chris Lund confirmed she would be making the journey to the Cross.

 

BOHERNA PROVES BEST

Wednesday, November 12^th  

There was a thrilling finish to the William Hill All England Cup over 480 metres at Newcastle last night and the £10,000 prize was claimed by the Barrie Draper trained Boherna Best, as he contained a very persistent challenge from Dotland Hit Man.

Boherna Best, a son of Pacific Mile and Always On Air, was adding to his victories in the Betfred Laurels and the Monmore Gold Cup and he went about it the best way possible – by flashing out of traps and leading to the bend.

Dotland Hit Man moved well to be a close second on the bend but was forced wide and lost vital ground. To his credit, Dotland Hit Man ran on with real determination and gusto but Boherna Best was brave and held his run by what looked a generous three parts of a three parts of a length verdict in a very fat 28.32.

 

FLYING A LATE WINNER

Wednesday, November 12^th

Staying sensation Flying Winner produced another big performance when overcoming traffic problems in winning the Open 895 at Newcastle last night.

Chris Lund’s daughter of Flying Penske and Wise Winner broke fast but lost her place around the first few bends and took a few bumps through the race. However she came home really strongly to head fast starting Genesis Alix on the run-in for a length and three quarters verdict in 55.93.

It was a performance that proved the bitch is fully geared up for her return to Harold’s Cross, the track where she began her career. She is an intended challenger for the Ted Hegarty Marathon over 1,035 yards next month.

 

ibetX.com SCOTTISH DERBY GO-AHEAD

Tuesday, November 11^th

After the off-on-off-on sagas of recent years, it is refreshing to learn that an early commitment by sponsors ibetX.com means that the 2009 Scottish Derby will definitely go ahead at Shawfield.

The classic will be run over the 480 metres distance and the early indications are that the event will be run between Tuesday, March 31^st and Saturday, April 11^th.

Last year’s ibetX.com Scottish Derby was won by Tyrur Kieran and he went on to finish second in the English Derby. In the Shawfield final Tyrur Kieran won from Bubbly Totti, which went on to win the St Leger, while in third place came subsequent English Derby winner Loyal Honcho. It certainly was a remarkable pointer to future happenings in the major classics.

 

RAZLDAZL SATISFIES

Monday, November 10^th

Dolores Ruth duly gave her charges their planned spin around Wimbledon on Saturday and expressed herself as satisfied with the exercise.

She travelled over on Saturday with the dogs and Razldazl Em clocked 29.25 for the 480 metres, while litter brother Razldazl Romeo covered the 460 metres in 28.18.

The English Oaks possibles Cool Cousin Suzy and Razldazl Pearl clocked 29.49 and 29.63 for the 480 metres.

Dolores said on Monday: “It was a long old trip but everything went fine with them. The two dogs will go for the Comerford Cakes and the bitches will run in the English Oaks. I will stay over with them but I have made no arrangements yet”.

 

ALL ENGLAND FINAL

Monday, November 10^th

It will be interesting to see how Dotland Hit Man fares in the final of the William Hill All England Cup at Newcastle on Wednesday.

The dog was temporarily based with Seamus Graham and produced a few big runs over here but he is now back with trainer Andrew Bell and is a very close second favourite behind Boherna Best for the final.

Graham passes on his best wishes to the connections of the dog. He said: “Andrew and the owner were on to me about travelling over to Newcastle on Wednesday but it is a bad night for me and I won’t be able to make it over. However, I wish them the very best of luck. He is a lovely dog and he was unfortunate to pick up an injury when here”.

Dotland Hit Man won his semi-final in impressive manner on Thursday where Eye Onthe Brave and Afflect Elite dead heated for this spot. The two dogs had a run-off on Saturday and Eye Onthe Brave caused an upset when winning easily in 28.53. 

The draw for the final is: 1 Eye Onthe Brave; 2 Boherna Best; 3 Coolavanny Smoke; 4 Dotland Hit Man; 5 Eye Onthe Pulse; 6 Droopys Carvalho.

 

TOTTI’S LEGER STROLL

Tuesday, October 28^th

Ted Soppitt’s Bubbly Totti was a very comfortable winner of the £13,000 William Hill St Leger at Wimbledon on Tuesday but he had things made very much easier by virtue of wholesale crowding on the inside in the early stages.

Irish challenger Droopys Arsene totally missed the break and it was the normally slow starting Midway Skipper that showed in front from traps. Midway still led approaching the bend but the inside runner Lenson Earl was barging outwards and all five inside runners were crowded.

Ted Soppitt’s hot favourite Bubby Totti had the freedom of the track on the outside but still just got the bend and quickly opened up a big lead over Midway Skipper. The latter began to close from halfway down the far side but Bubbly Totti had too much of a lead and he ran out a three length winner from the gallant Midway Skipper in 41.06 with Lenson Earl taking the third spot.

Bubbly Totti is a son of World Class and Droopys Seville and was bred by Sean Dunphy in Portlaw.

 

ARSENE BIDS FOR ST LEGER GLORY

Monday, October 27^th

With the Boylesports Champion Stakes and the paddypower.com Irish Derby already safely tucked away thanks to Shelbourne Aston, Pat Curtin will bid to add the William Hill English St Leger to his growing collections at Wimbledon on Tuesday.

Droopys Arsene is the Curtin representative and, while he is quoted as high as 14-1 by the firms, he is well capable of making a major bid for honours.

Droopys Arsene has fine early pace and is likely to cut out the running. Curtin expects him to come on a few lengths from last week’s semi-final. “He did get tired in that race and I would expect him to find a few lengths. If he gets out front he will have a good crack at it”.

However the obvious favourite to take the top prize is Bubbly Totti, a litter brother to Droopys Arsene. Ted Soppitt’s dog has been running extremely well in this classic and on best form has the winning of it. The final will be shown live on Sky Sports at 9.45 p.m.

 

 

Curtin’s Arsene in Leger Final

Wednesday, October 22^nd

Pat Curtin’s great year moved on another step on Tuesday when he qualified Droopys Arsene for next Tuesday’s final of the William Hill St Leger at Wimbledon.

Droopys Arsene has been running really well in the 668 metres classic and he qualified comfortably in third place behind his litter brother, Ted Soppitt’s odds on favourite Bubbly Totti (World Class/ Droopys Seville) and Midway Skipper, beaten four lengths in total in 40.85.  Arsene’s time of 41.18 was considerably faster than the winning time in the second heat.

This second heat saw the shock elimination of Lenson Joker as he finished last behind his kennel companion Lenson Earl (Top Honcho/ Gold Seacrest). Joker was bumped on the first and third bends but Earl took up the running on the fifth bend from Go Big Hitter and went on to beat that rival by three and a half lengths in 41.36, with Lavenders Grant three parts of a length third.

The draw is: 1 Lenson Earl; 2 Go Big Hitter; 3 Droopys Arsene; 4 Lavenders Grant; 5 Midway Skipper; 6 Bubbly Totti (w).

 

Gary Baggs –RIP

Greyhound Racing lost a great servant and friend at the weekend with the untimely death of leading English trainer Gary Baggs.

Gary had fought a brave and lengthy battle against cancer in recent years but he passed away on Sunday. He is survived by wife Brenda and children Darren and Stacey.

Baggs, who won the English Derby with Signal Spark in 1987, had been a very regular visitor to Ireland over the years and had a wide range of friends in this country. We pass on the sympathies of the Irish greyhound industry to his family on their devastating loss.

 

William Hills St Leger 

Tuesday 21st October - ARSENE CAN QUALIFY

Pat Curtin’s extraordinary year could move on a further major step when Droopys Arsene contests the first semi-final of the William Hill St Leger at Wimbledon on Tuesday evening.

There are just five runners in this contest and Bubbly Totti will go off a red hot favourite to lead them home. Totti is quoted a best price 4-9 for the contest and is the likely winner. However Droopys Arsene is well housed on the inside and is a likely leader. He can give the favourite plenty to do but should at least qualify for the final.

In the other heat Lenson Joker is best priced at 1-2 but his current form suggests that this may not be the bet value in the world. He looks the likely winner but his last couple of runs have not been quite up to the standard of his earlier running.

 

William Hill St Leger 

Friday 17th October - ARSENE IN SEMIS

Pat Curtin maintained his interest in the William Hill St Leger at Wimbledon when Droopys Arsene ran a big race in Friday’s second round, dividing the ante-post favourites Bubbly Totti and Lenson Joker in the second of the four heats.
Droopys Arsene, a 10-1 chance, led to the second bend where the Ted Soppitt trained Bubbly Totti (World Class/ Droopys Seville) took it up. From here the evens joint favourite went on to win by 3 lengths from Droopys Arsene with the other joint jolly Lenson Joker a half length third. The time of 41.12 was the fastest of the round.
Droopys Arsene has landed a favourable draw as he will occupy the inside trap in the five-runner opening heat where the clear Leger favourite Bubbly Totti goes from five. 
The opening heat saw Division Belle (Spiral Nikita/ Urla Melody) led all the way before holding off the late run of Carbarns Tom by a shot head in 41.63. In the third heat the Paul Young trained Lavenders Grant (Swift Star/ Lavenders Vieri) got the better of Brimardon Star by a short head while the concluding heat was won by Tony Collett’s Lenson Earl (Top Honcho/ Gold Seacrest) as he beat Midway Skipper by a neck in 41.66. 

 

Shock St Leger Withdrawal

WINNER’S FREAK INJURY 

The brilliant stayer Flying Winner has been withdrawn from second round of the William Hill St Leger to be staged at Wimbledon on Friday night.

The bitch would appear to have picked up a freak injury in her kennel overnight on Wednesday. Trainer Chris Lund was left with no option but to withdrawn the bitch. Irish challenger Droopys Arsene runs in Heat 2 in the second round and faces very formidable opposition in the two market leaders Lenson Joker and Bubbly Totti.

 

William Hill Northern Puppy Derby

KEZ TOP PUPPY

Droopys Kez continued Ted Soppitt’s amazing record in the event when running away with the William Hill Northern Puppy Derby at Sunderland on Thursday.

Soppitt has now won three of the last four runnings of this competition and he didn’t have too many anxious moments on this occasion as Kez justified odds of 4-6. Droopys Kez broke fast from two and immediately moved very wide, bumping Confident Kermit, Crown Rover and Count Busty by the opening bend. But his manoeuvre also saw him consolidate his position and he was five lengths clear on the second bend. Raving Black ran on very well from here but Droopys Kez still had three and a quarter lengths in hand at the line in 26.99 for the 450 metres. Droopys Kez is an April ’07 son of Brett Lee and Quare Star and was bred by Teresa Maguire in Roslea, County Fermanagh. 

 

William Hill St Leger

ARSENE ON THE MARK

Solitary Irish challenger Droopys Arsene got his St Leger challenge off to a winning start at Wimbledon on Saturday but his reward is a second round meeting with the two ante-post favourites Lenson Joker and Bubbly Totti.
The Pat Curtin trained Droopys Arsene (World Class/ Droopys Seville) ran a very game race when coming from four lengths down to pip Capel Tom Dooley by a short head on the line in 41.63. Curtin must also have taken satisfaction from the result of Heat 3 where the Brian Clemenson trained Shelbourne Tiger was a three length winner from Well Park Lady in 41.23. Tiger is a son of Just The Bet and Queen Survivor and so is a litter brother to Curtin’s Irish Derby winner Shelbourne Aston.
Fastest Leger heat winner was Ted Soppitt’s Bubbly Totti, a litter brother to Droopys Arsene. He led early when beating Midway Skipper by over four lengths in 40.93, the other winner to dip under the 41 mark.
Ante post favourite Tony Collett’s Lenson Joker didn’t set the world on fire when winning Heat 8 where he led all the way for a two length verdict over 33-1 outsider Larkhill Dipper in 41.10.
Lance Burford’s Iceman Brutus (Toms The Best/ Chewing Gum) led from the first bend in Heat 1 as he surprisingly beat slow starting Flying Winner by a length and a quarter in 41.12.
The other heat winners were the Richard Rees trained Division Belle (Spiral Nikita/ Urla Melody) in 41.06, Charlie Lister’s Carbarns Tom (Jordans Elect/ Elect Me Misty) in 41.18 and Bubbly Sally (Token Prince/ Flashy Sal) in 41.64.

SECOND ROUND DRAW

The second round of the William Hill St Leger will be run on Friday and the draw is:

Heat 1: 1 Go Bit Hitter; 2 Bubbly Eagle; 3 Division Belle; 4 Chosen Man (m); 5 Shelbourne Tiger (m); 6 Carbarns Tom (w).
Heat 2: 1 Droopys Arsene; 2 Well Park Lady; 3 Lenson Joker (m); 4 Larkhill Dipper (w); 5 Westmead Tommy (w); 6 Bubbly Totti (w).
Heat 3: 1 Capel Tom Dooley; 2 Flying Winner; 3 Lavenders Grant; 4 Bitofamonkey; 5 Wise Maldini; 6 Brimardon Star (w).
Heat 4: 1 Lenson Earl; 2 Iceman Brutus; 3 Midway Skipper; 4 Bubbly Sally; 5 Romeo Turbo (w); 6 Rockchase Samy (w).