BARRY QUICKEST IN McCALMONT CUP
Ian Fortune
Sober Barry will be the only greyhound in the semi-finals of the Deadly Kennels McCalmont Cup with an unbeaten record in the event after setting a strong standard in Friday’s second round, seven days on from an impressive opening round effort.
Coolemount Ger, Burnchurch Elle and Born Ranger took the remaining heats but none could match or better the 29.16 return of Sober Barry.
BARRY JUSTIFIES MARKET SUPPORT
A well-backed 6-5 favourite for the second heat, the Karol Ramsbottom trained son of Skywalker Barry and Sober Pearl was soon in front.
His kennel companion Lamrock Ace challenged early but Jacktavern Storm took up the chase into the back straight. It quickly developed into a two-dog affair but, in reality, Sober Barry was never in danger.
Sean Malone’s improving tracker stayed on well to secure a length and three quarters success over Jacktavern Storm. Paulstown Cash stayed on for third, a length and a half further adrift.
PRINCE TOO STRONG OR TOMMY
Oriental Prince was next fastest in the final heat.
Trained by Denise Ryan for the Organised Chaos Syndicate, the son of Coolavanny Hoffa and Newinn Willow opened his account in the process. Always prominent behind the long-time pace-setter Bogger Tommy, Oriental Prince came through in the closing yards to win by a neck in 29.20. Boger Tommy was four and a half lengths clear of third place finisher Tinahue Skylark.
RANGER MOVES WITH PURPOSE
Born Ranger doubled his career tally in Heat 3 for Jennifer O’Donnell and owners, the Seven Dreamers Syndicate.
Warm favourite Carrigeen Whit got loose at the head of affairs, going to the front at the turn, but was always under pressure when Born Ranger moved past the prominent Oriental Diamond to go second.
The race began to really develop down the back straight with Born Ranger easing closer to the leader. Born Ranger made his move into the third turn, slipping up the fence to challenge. Going from the front, the son of Born Warrior and Dolls Flash eased on before containing the rallying Carrigeen Whit by three parts of a length in 29.23.
BURNCHURCH ELLE
Imokilly Roxanne seemed destined to justify favouritism in the opening heat when taking over from Playdate Storm on the bend but neither could contain Michael Cullen’s Burnchurch Elle.
The latter broke smartly but was a little outpaced into the turn but did manage to secure third spot.
As Playdate Storm stayed wide, Burnchurch Elle moved second and began to close on Imokilly Roxanne. By the home turn, the daughter of Grangeview Ten and Blackstone Time was ready to pounce. Staying very tight to the fence, Burnchurch Elle forged her way to the front to score by a length from the long-time leader in 29.42. Tetra Destiny ran on well to finish just a head back in third.
GER FASTEST IN BROWNE MEMORIAL
Elsewhere on the card, the Mick English trained Coolemount Ger set the standard in the opening round of the Tom Browne Memorial, with the Owen and Pat Dooley owned son of Crash staying on best of all to lead from the final turn for a three and a half length victory over Foyle Milo in 29.44.
Mairead Corcoran’s Swift Saver and the Michael Donnelly trained Thomastown Blue took the remaining heats. The former led into the back straight to beat Arrigle In by two lengths in 29.65.
Thomastown Blue came from off the pace, leading late to win by a half length from Da Bould Johnjoe in 29.63.