TRAPRISE - Hope springs eternal for Abigail at Galway
There is scarcely a more consistent runner in racing at present than Abigails Hope (Premier Fantasy-Geelo Lu Lu) and frustratingly denied a four-timer at Galway in her first outing of the new season last time out, the kennel favourite of young Abigail Morrissey bounced straight back to winning ways on Friday when a thrilling winner of her A2 550-yard event at the western venue.
Indeed, only a neck defeat in her latest A1 contest has cost the November 2020 whelp a five in-a-row achievement but this latest score looked a lofty ambition in the early stages on Friday as the Morrissey winner had all rivals in her eyeline throughout the early stages when only moderately to stride from her ideal trap 1 berth. A confirmed railer however, Abigails Hope negotiated her way past a brace of rivals while tackling the bends to lie fourth at the top of the backstraight but with all of six lengths to claw back on the leader approaching halfway, victory hopes remained ambitious. Always strong at four-bend distances, she could of course be expected to close in the latter half of the race and duly halved her deficit nearing the final bend. Crucially afforded a run on the rails entering the home straight, a sustained and powerful finishing effort saw Abigails Hope rapidly reduce the arrears further and one final lunge for the line saw her advance beyond a trio if rivals in the shadow of the post for a truly remarkable victory.
With a neck to spare in a photo-finish verdict, a winning time of 30.69 (-10) keeps Abigails Hope in A2 grade for her next outing and as tenacious a racer as one could wish to own, she will remain a most feared opponent at her regular Galway venue.
BILL BACK TO WINNING WAYS AT LIMERICK
There was much to entertain local patrons of Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday and leading the way with another hugely popular victory in a warm Go Greyhound Racing A1 550, Bernadette Hogan’s Old Bill (Droopys Sydney-Starry Display) bounced back to winning ways in a most game, strong running performance.
Having caught the eye at A0 level last time, the July 2020 whelp capitalised on a plausible opportunity despite headed throughout the early exchanges following a moderate start from trap 2. Negotiating his way to a duel for second position at the second bend, the Hogan star secured command of the rail on the inside but still had four lengths to recover on the pace-setting smart rival Larchill Port. Always strong at the trip however, Old Bill greatly impressed when closing to the tail of the leader at the third bend before briefly having his progress halted as favourite Midfield Deano also made ground to join the argument on the outside. Remaining on the rail while tracking the lead into the home stretch however, Old Bill had plenty in reserve for one final effort close home and he duly proved strongest on the run to the line, drawing clear for a one-length verdict in a very smart 30.24.
The highest level that he has scored at thus far, the victory represents further incremental progress from this most consistent racer and given the manner of victory, Old Bill can hold every claim for a repeat in the same grade next time.
Earlier on that Saturday Limerick fixture, Pat Guilfoyle guided his Magical Pluto (Skywalker Logan-Knockalton Emily) to a smart first race victory in the Limerick Stadium ON2 525.
A July 2021 whelp, he ably defended his rails pitch from trap 1 when bumping with a rival to his outside at the first bend before extending clear on the run to halfway. Revealing strong running abilities in the latter half of his debut victory, Magical Pluto ran out a ready four and a half-length winner, posting 29.30.
The opposing semi-final was won in 29.10, so, clearly final victory will be hard fought but it would come as little surprise should the Guilfoyle pup find the necessary improvement.
Trainer Pat Guilfoyle will contest a second novice final this week as a busy Saturday saw him secure victory in the semi-final of the Rural Kennels Unraced Consolation 525 Stake with Michael Mackey & Mark Fitzpatrick’s Salmic Fitz (Slippy Cian-Roscrea Lilly).
Out of luck in the opening round of the prestigious main event when suffering crowding, he endured further bad luck with a tumble in a sprint evet at Limerick in the interim.
Back to Clonmel on Saturday, however, he ensured cleaner passage this time when smartly to stride from trap 4 and a length to the good at the first bend, completed a facile nine and a half-length verdict in a slick 28.60 (-10). Fastest of the heats, Salmic Fitz can be fancied for final victory during festival week in Clonmel.
Another local challenger who will be in final action this week, John Meelam & Sean Ryan’s Meduza (Good News-Jaytee Osprey) will bid to secure the sweepstake victory that her wonderful career would so richly deserve having again battled brilliantly for qualification from her semi-final in the Knocklong Schooling Track A1 525 Stake at Limerick on Saturday.
Breaking on level terms from trap 3, the John Byrne stalwart was crowded throughout the early stages before reaching the second bend in fifth position. Powering along the backstraight however, Meduza reduced her arrears while challenging for third and ably secured her final place when staying very strongly to fill second, two and a half lengths behind Ballygibba Ruby in 29.16.
The opposing semi-final was won by Pat Buckley’s Strictly Paul in 29.50 so there is a big final task ahead for Meduza. However, better drawn in trap 2 and remembering her 28.55 first round victory, the local favourite retains highly plausible hopes in a warm event.