TRAPRISE - Boss completes a four-timer

There was some pleasing news for greyhound racing participants last week as successful efforts while adhering to the strictest Covid restrictions have been rewarded with the return to the “one person, one dog rule” and handlers can now at least enter the stadium, as opposed to waiting for races outside in vehicles!

Celebrating the first semblance of relief from the pandemic, local challengers were in winning form across the country over the last week and setting the best example was the Four Culchies Syndicate’s Coolemount Boss (Iso Octane-Coolemount Bally) who stamped his authority at Galway on Friday when completing a four-timer!

Top dog in the west throughout 2021, the March 2019 whelp has only suffered defeat in one of his eight races at the track and again contesting in A1 grade over 525 yards, Friday’s score was as straightforward as any before.Breaking on terms from Trap 4, the Michael Rafferty charge was quickest to reach full stride and superior early pace saw him reach the opening bend with two lengths in hand of the field. Doubling his advantage on the run to the backstraight, the verdict was as good as settled by halfway and duly converting thereafter, Coolemount Boss ran out a comfortable four and a half length winner in a smart 28.78.

Without a rating on the night, the prolific Ballingarry youngster avoids a rise to Open class for now, although even an upgrade would struggle to contain the sharpest of local racers as he seeks five on the spin next time.

Closer to home, the Saturday meeting at Thurles again delivered winners to cheer and another in sparkling form at present, Stephanie Ryan’s Knockalton Conor (Silverhill Shay-Kitmins Denise) will seek a hattrick following back-to-back victories over 525 yards.

Without a rise for his latest A3 success, the November 2018 whelp was ideally housed in Trap 1 this time and breaking on level terms, the John Byrne charge determinedly defended the inside rail for a narrow lead at the opening turn. Extending to two lengths at the top of the backstraight, he would, however, find a strong running rival ranging up on his inside at the third bend. Now obliged to chart a wider course around the closing turns, his winning task appeared a tough ask but gamely rallying in the home stretch, Knockalton Conor displayed admiral battling qualities close home for a half-length verdict in a thrilling victory. Posting 29.50 (-20), he will remain in A3 grade and clearly holds every chance to register a treble in his next outing.

Contesting the following A1 570-yard event there was a welcome and much overdue third career win for Gunboat Showman (Laughil Blake-Dynamic Trend) as the Sean Kenny stalwart gained reward for a host of recent placed efforts in a dominant display.

Strong staying performances over shorter trips had seen the June 2018 whelp eased from a high of A0 to his current A2 mark, but this A1 opportunity was always likely to see the Borrisoleigh charge relish the extended trip at Thurles and once breaking smartly from Trap 3, Gunboat Showman never sighted another rival. Appreciating the long run to the first bend, the verdict was settled when well in command to halfway and although his lead was reduced in the latter stages, Gunboat Showman was full value for his two-length verdict in a smart 31.84 (-20).

Jim dominates in Lee Strand opener

One of the hottest graded sweepstakes on the calendar, the 2021 Lee Strand A3 550 commenced at Tralee on Friday and confirming the immense promise shown in four sprint victories at Galway, Tom & Charlie Bourke’s Ballygraigue Jim (Silverhill Shay-Newlawn Minnie) claimed a stunning victory in the opening round.

Graded S3 in the sprint sphere, a Lee Strand tilt may have seemed ambitious without previous experience at a similar trip but confident in his ability to handle the task, connections were rewarded with one of the fastest heat wins. Breaking on level terms from Trap 5, Ballygraigue Jim would take an early bump with a rival to his inner before superior early pace saw the July 2019 pup bravely strike the front when tackling the opening bends. Pursued to halfway by the well fancied Ballymac Emily, the most impressive aspect of victory was the Bourke youngster’s strength beyond halfway as he doubled his lead from the closing bends. Hitting the line with four lengths in hand, Ballygraigue Jim posted 30.13, a time that was surpassed just twice in the eleven first round heats.

In behind, John Ryan’s Call Me Jane (Rockybay Foley-Lemon Jane) filled third ten lengths adrift and the Ballina kennels would add a second qualifier for this Friday’s second round when Call Me Sky (Silverhill Shay-Newlawn Minnie) was seven lengths behind Ferndale Cathal in 30.37.

Alice seeks Cesarewitch atonement

A star-turn throughout 2020, the Pat Guilfoyle trained Amazing Alice (Aero Majestic-Droopys Coast) missed out on classic success when chasing home Meenagh Miracle in a record breaking Irish Cesarewitch Final twelve months ago but seeking to go one better in the classic, the Moneygall stalwart warmed to her 2021 task at Mullingar with second round victory on Monday.

Commencing with a pleasing round 1 second, the Peter Sutcliffe owned powerhouse occupied Trap 1 in a stacked heat where local runners filled the three inside boxes. Tracking the early pace of Razldazl Curtis, it was Alice Guilfoyle’s Magical Jasper (Head Bound-Laughil Louise) who firstly threatened the leader on the run to halfway but stalking that pair in behind, Amazing Alice struck the front with a rails-run at the closing bends and reached this coming Monday’s semi-finals with a two-length verdict over Razldazl Curtis in 34.00 (-80), with Magical Jasper third as Mystical Luna missed out through first bend bumping.

Fastest on the opening night, kennel companion Akay Forty Seven (Holdem Spy-Mustang Vienna) backed-up her first round victory with a pleasing passage to semi stage, just failing to reel back Droopys Wyatt by a half-length in their 33.65 (-80) clash.

Retaining three runners in the semi-final draw, Pat Guilfoyle holds strong claims for a fourth Cesarewitch title as Amazing Alice contests the opening semi-final from Trap 2 on Monday with Akay Forty Seven and Magical Jasper in Traps 1 and 3, respectively, for the second heat. We will chart their expected progress in more detail next week.

A busy weekend for the Moneygall kennels, Pat Guilfoyle chose Limerick for the debut of his Magical Benji (Confident Rankin-Magical Zeta), and the September 2019 pup revealed himself as another hugely exciting prospect for the season ahead when dominating throughout a facile victory. Showing the best early pace to lead into the bend, Magical Benji caught the eye throughout an eight-length success while posting a sublime 28.48 for the 525 yards!