Diana doubles her tally at Thurles

TRAPRISE

Historically a regular source of winners for local kennels, Thurles Greyhound Stadium has not proven overly fruitful in the early part of this season, however, Mike Duff’s Rathfalla Swift (Ballymac Cashout-Devilsbit Storm) did her part to improve the figures on Saturday when doubling her win tally in the Support Clonmel’s Benefit Night May 4th A6 525.

Ending a frustrating run of luckless outings, the May 2023 whelp had hinted at a return to form in a close-up third last time out and confirmed that suspicion despite again being headed in the early exchanges following just a moderate start from trap 5.

Contesting in mid-division on the run to the opening bend, the Duff stalwart gratefully avoided the traffic woes of recent outings when advancing to a challenging third place along the backstraight and continuing to close while negotiating a passage to second position around the final turns, took aim at the leader entering the home stretch.

Confirming strong running abilities thereafter, Rathfalla Swift powered clear to an ultimately comfortable two and a half length victory while posting 29.92 (-20) and without penalty on the grading table, can follow up if securing clear passage next time.

Galway is right up Syd’s Alley

The Friday action at Galway delivered a new winner on our local racing scene and following a highly promising runner-up performance in a Cork novice stake to commence his racing campaign, Olivia Hogan’s Five Alley Syd (Here Comes Syd-Airfield Biddy) shed his maiden tag at the third time of asking.

Plenty green in his two previous outings, the September 2023 whelp was closer to the early pace this time despite headed from trap 3 and battling on the inside of rivals approaching the opening bend, advanced to a clear second position while turning.

Tracking an early paced leader to the backstraight at a near four-length deficit, the Hogan pup had shaved just a length off that deficit when giving keen pursuit to the closing bends. However, revealing strong running abilities from that point, Five Alley Syd stealthily reduced his arrears before striking the front in the shadow of the post. Posting 29.71 (-10) in a thrilling shorthead verdict, a rise to A5 should not curtail his progress next time while remaining open to further improvement!

Ace can be Epic in Islandbridge

A leading sprint event of the season at Shelbourne Park, Friday’s action in the capital brought the commencement of the 2025 Islandbridge Open 350 Yard Stake and in search of further major event success, trainer Pat Guilfoyle will have been highly pleased with the performance of Epic Ace (Signet Ace-Free From Desire) in his return to action following a short layoff.

Last seen in the semi-finals of the Connaught Derby before a withdrawal from the final of that event at Galway in March, the John Kennedy own speedster was having just his fourth outing of the season on Friday and although settling for a qualifying second in defeat, arguably displayed the most impressive raw speed in the opening round.

With an adept break from trap 4, Epic Ace tracked the very fast starting Earn Perks at a two and a half-length deficit while reaching full stride on the long run to the corner. Such was his pace in full gallop however, the Guilfoyle charge had his path blocked around the opening bends having negated the arrears in rapid fashion to that point. Shuffled back, Epic Ace would settle for a two length second at the line behind the 18.78 winner but clearly over the ails that saw him absent at Galway, he looks a big player in the event which continues this Friday.

Mai dictates on Thursday

Thursday’s SIS fixture at Limerick again sparked the weekend winning action for local kennels and a clear best on the afternoon fixture was Abigail Morrissey’s Diegos Mai (Skywalker Luke-Diegos Sophia) when setting up a hat-trick bid in the Roma Casino Limerick A2 525.

Having produced a career best when victorious at A3 grade when last seen at the backend of March, the April 2022 whelp took the upgrade in stride this time when breaking just behind the pace from trap 4.

Pacing up well on the run to the corner while advancing beyond rivals to her inside, the Cloughjordan darling swept the opening bend with a one length lead. Effectively settling the race when easing readily clear to halfway, Diegos Mai Completed with the minimum of fuss, thereafter, posting 29.04 with two lengths in hand of a strong staying rival. Remaining in the same grade, she holds every claim to complete the treble next time.

There was further local cheer on that Thursday fixture in the following Quinns De Bucket A5 525 when the Ready To Dream Syndicate continued their good run of recent form with a thrilling first career victory for Ready To Shine (Explosive Boy-Express Shine).

In a fourth start for the September 2023 whelp, the Aoife Loughnane pup was again headed in the early stages but closer to the lead when a two-length third to the top of the backstraight this time, the Roscrea charge closed on the run to the final turns and raced on the tail of the pacesetter approaching the home stretch. Striking the front in the dying strides within a blanket finish as little more than a neck separated the first five home, Ready To Shine posted 29.61 and will avoid an upgrade next time.