ALL ABOUT ALICE IN LIAM BRUSSELS DECIDER
Peter Farrell
The final of the €1,800 to the winner Liam Brussels Memorial 525 took centre stage at Galway Greyhound Stadium last night and it was Heathlawn Alice that produced a masterclass of front-running to land the prestigious renewal.
It was Move Over Ogie was installed as the justifiable favourite after an impressive 28.88.10s performance from off-the-pace but another poor start from trap two saw him with the need to produce a similar display this time around. In contrast, Heathlawn Alice, owned by Rose Kelly, made a swift exit from trap three and the striking white and black showed the superior early dash to lead both Eileens Story and Cloonturk Honey around the opener. Holding a lead of just one length at this point, the daughter of Good News and Burgess Sarah quickly began to draw clear of her rivals as Move Over Ogie, who improved into fourth, now began to rev his engine and was certainly one to watch as he made his move midway down the back. However, his progress was halted again entering the penultimate turn as Heathlawn Alice went about her business in expert style out front. Showing no signs of fatigue late on, Kelly’s charge continued to set a blistering gallop and she stormed to a two length victory over the fast-finishing, Move Over Ogie, in second. The time was a rapid 28.98 .10s and many congratulations are extended to Rose Kelly on her victory.
PADDY O’GORMAN SEMIS
Elsewhere on the card, the semi finals of the Paddy O’Gorman A1/A2 525 went down for decision and Grangeview Lolo picked up were she left off last week with another polished performance.
Owned by Emily Hogan, Grangeview Lolo produced a fast 28.86 .10s in her assignment seven days’ prior and she looked the one to beat in the opening semi despite facing the likes of Drombeg Ten in trap one. Quickly into stride from three, the daughter of Ballymac Best soon showed that customary early dash as she led from Drombeg Ten in second. Soon developing into a two-dog affair, ‘Lolo’ led by three lengths down the back and she maintained this healthy advantage to cross the line with over two and a half lengths to spare. The time was a swift 28.82 .10s.
It was a similar story in the second semi as Lissatouk Dave, who had been so impressive in round one, made it back-to-back wins, but only just.
Owned by James McMahon, Lissatouk Dave (Laughil Blake – Lissatouk Dolly) faced a tricky draw in five, however, he showed incredible determination to get across to the fence early on and turn in front despite shipping a huge bump. In control down the back, Crokers Spirit was in hot pursuit throughout, however, Lissatouk Dave proved a tough nut to crack as he held on gamely to secure a head victory over the fast-finishing, Cloonturk Bruno in second. A further short head back to Crokers Spirit, the time was 29.14 .10s.