Champion Ronnie set for defiant defence of Tipp Cup title

The highlight of the season at Thurles Greyhound Stadium, the 2018 Thurles Fresh Milk Tipperary Cup has reached final stage following a sizzling session of semi-finals last weekend where defending champion Crohane Ronnie gave notice of his intent to retain the title when posting the fastest time of the year at the premier circuit.

Sparking huge celebrations for Thurles owner Tom Simpson twelve months ago, Crohane Ronnie is one of the most revered racers in the sport and now officially a veteran at over four years of age. He showed that he retains all of his strong running abilities when defeating General Manager by six lengths in a brilliant 28.59 (-30).

Third here, Storeman Tom strengthened the home challenge in the final for Pairic Campion as his more fancied Boyhero made his exit, as did our local hope when the Pat Guilfoyle trained Music Toour Ears missed his break before suffering crowding in his fourth place finish.

The opposing semi-final brought another flawless passage for The Michael O’Donovan trained Skywalker Rafa when he completed a Tipperary Cup hat-trick to enter the final as the sole unbeaten runner in the event. Posting 28.72 (-30), he led home the sole bitch finalist Windmill Rose by five lengths as Our Lovely Tune claimed the remaining final berth in third.

 

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