A WIDE OPEN IRISH GREYHOUND LAURELS

Barry Drake

A night full of stunning performances in round two of the Bar One Racing in association with the Friends & Supporters of Cork Greyhound Racing Irish Greyhound Laurels.

Tinahue Pappone, for John Fox, clocked a fantastic 28.29 when making all the running in heat number four. The well-backed 4-1 shot came away well and once leading early, it was all one-way traffic upfront. Showing bundles of speed up front, the classy winner got the better of Gaytime Elmo, by five lengths. A length back to Ballycowen Bell in third.

Droopys Bookem, trained by Johnny Linehan for the All-Angels- Syndicate, made it four wins from as many starts in the opening heat. Kennel mate Droopys Polish set a strong early pace, but the November youngster always looked dangerous in behind. The 2-1 second favourite finished with a flourish to lane the spoils, in 28.49, a length clear of the runner-up. Three lengths behind the runner-up was Hazelhill Bucko.

Trained by Mark Robinson for Daniel Ornstein, Getup Me Lad caused a bit of an upset when leading all the way in heat number two. The 7-1 outsider moved a length clear of Crafty Alejandro to halfway and he then kept on well to hold that lead to the winner line, in 28.58. Hot favourite Tribal Syd missed the kick and moved third down the back, but it was Pilot Scheme who stayed on best to qualify. A length behind the runner-up.

Defending Champion High Trend was forced to dig deep and pull out all the stops to win heat number three. Trained by Graham Holland for the R-T-And-C-Syndicate, the 5-4 favourite sat second early as Lemon Mick was moving well upfront. Two lengths down at the second last corner, the winner railed well on the home way home and he battled well to beat Lemon Mick, by a short head, in 28.50. Three lengths back to Bouncing Lad in third.

Crafty Shivoo, trained by Pat Norris for the M-W-D Partnership, overcame trouble in running to win heat five. The 6-4 second choice of the punters displayed plenty of all-round speed to beat Drombeg Rio, by a length, in 28.53. Three lengths back to Evolution in third.

In the following heat, it was all about the early-paced Romeo Taylor for trainer Graham Holland and owner David Firmagner. A 28.55 winning display from the well-backed even-money favourite. Half a length back to Faypoint Harvey in second. Romeo Falco was three quarters of a length back in third.

Defending Irish Derby Champion The Other Kobe, trained by Graham Holland for B Clare and David L'Estrange, delivered a superb front running display to win heat seven, in 28.28, at odds of 2-5. Seek The Kingdom flew home for second, a length and a half back. Droopys Supply won the coin toss for third.

It was all about Grangclare Lady in the closing heat. Trained by Owen McKenna for Peter Comerford, the well-backed 5-2 shot led all the way to win, in 28.31, five and a half lengths clear of Road Exile. A length and a half back to Danish Ruby in third.