LINFORD HITS THE BULLSEYE IN SORLEY O’DORNAN FEATURE

Peter Farrell

The final of the €1,500 to the winner Sorley O’Dornan Memorial A5/A6 525 featured on last night’s Clonmel card and it went the way of the favourite as Moanteen Linford produced a strong finish to land the spoils in style.

After news broke earlier in the week that Darts star Gerwyn Price had stepped in to purchase the progressive youngster, all eyes were on Moanteen Linford ahead of the decider and he certainly didn’t disappoint. Trained by Rachel Wheeler, the October puppy broke poorly from trap five but he showed fine early speed to get back into contention as he chased the early leader, Chasing Nellie, into the opening corner. Never too far off the pace, the son of Droopys Buick and Moanteen Ellie quickly ate into the two length deficit as he struck the front at the penultimate bend, swooping around Chasing Nellie who was now forced to play second fiddle in behind. From here, it was straightforward night’s work for Moanteen Linford as he drew clear of the field to cross the line with six lengths in hand over Chasing Nellie in second. Another very likeable display from this youngster, the time was a smart 28.74.

SPIRIT SEALS A WHEELER DOUBLE

It went on to prove a fruitful night for Golden trainer Rachel Wheeler as she secured a double in race ten as Moanteen Spirit produced a similar performance to her kennel companion. 

A son of Droopys Buick and High St Jesse, Moanteen Spirit was chasing a first career win coming into the contest and he came away well from trap three to sit second early doors. In chase of Mahogany Sydney heading into the back, Moanteen Spirit finished with a wet sail to storm past the longtime and seal a three length victory over Giglis Bellissimo in second. The time was 29.05.

HOLLAND THREE-TIMER

The Graham Holland band wagon keeps on rolling and the leading trainer secured a four-timer last night at Clonmel.

The first of his greyhounds to pass the post in front was Newinn Homer in an open sprint in race six. Owned by the Pillar-syndicate, Newinn Homer is known for his explosive early pace and he stepped back to the two-bends in brilliant fashion last night. Breaking level from trap three, the son of Droopys Buick and Snoozing Head showed instant acceleration to clear into the opening corner and this was to prove decisive as he ran out a comfortable four and a half length winner in the end. Circus Jota taking second, the time for Newinn Homer was a magnificent 16.01.

In race eight, Galloping Sydney overcame an early bump to secure back-to-back wins for Una Creed. Moderately into stride from trap three, the son of Droopys Sydney and Mags Image showed good early dash but was briefly headed by the inside runner of Flashy Tornado in one. However, Galloping Sydney took back control heading down the back straight and he set a strong gallop thereafter to cross the line with three lengths in hand of Heathview Lynda in second. The time was 29.04.

The treble was completed in race nine and it was Chubbys Best (Ballymac Best - String Of Pearls) who produced a stunning performance to make it three wins on the trot. Owned by the Telly-Tubby-Syndicate, Chubbys Best was a fine winner at Cork last weekend and he carried that form into Clonmel where he took control at the second bend before running out a brilliant winner. Setting a explosive sectional of 16.00 seconds, Chubbys Best kept up a relentless gallop as he crossed the line with three and a half lengths to spare over Clondoty Seamie in second. The time for Chubbys Best was a blistering 28.44.

IN OTHER RACES

Trained by Adan Dunford for David Firmager, Romeo McQueen landed race five in emphatic fashion. Running from trap two, the son of Tullymurray Act and Buckos Lass broke well from trap two and in truth, once turning in front there were no doubts about the result thereafter. Setting a brilliant gallop down the back, Romeo McQueen drew clear of the field to cross the line with nine lengths in hand over Springwood Salah in second. The time was 28.52.

In race two, there was an eye-catching debut performance from Belles Fire as Maria Kennedy’s dog got his racing career off to the best possible start. Running from trap three, Belles Fire left the traps like a seasoned performer as the June 20’ whelp developed a healthy lead in the early exchanges. Proving too hot to handle for the opposition, the son of Belles Direction and Clever Lass maintained a strong gallop all the way to the line and he had six and a half lengths in hand over Newinn Extra, who also caught the eye, in second. The time was a swift 28.65.