EXCITING ANCORA FASTEST IN ISLANDBRIDGE

Ian Fortune

Sogna Ancora continued his unbeaten ways at Shelbourne Park on Friday night, setting the standard in the opening round of the Islandbridge Open Sprint.

In a competition featuring a number of Ireland’s best two-bend trackers, it was quite a feat from a young greyhound having just his fourth career outing.

This was a true display of sprinting. In what was his first outing at Shelbourne Park, the talented son of Grangeview Ten and Terezas Mendoza broke smartly before quickly asserting from the proven Zippy Canning.

It was a superb display of acceleration and one that saw him maintain his unbeaten career record. Showing no signs of letting up off the final turn, Sogna Ancora would eventually see off Zippy Canning by four lengths in 18.73.

Mind Your Mind would finish two lengths further adrift in third. It’s clear Jack Kennelly and the Swedish House Party Syndicate have a potential star on their hands in the form of Sogna Ancora.

PERKS EARNS ANOTHER FINE SUCCESS

The second heat was also won in impressive fashion with Earn Perks adding to her already superb record.

Now a veteran daughter of Ballymac Best and Arrahan Cabra, she was absolutely razor-sharp at traps and always had the big three on the outside of the track struggling to land a blow.

The big three in question were Epic Ace, Second Treasure and Southwind Wild. None could match Thomas and Johnny Regan’s Earn Perks into the bend. Flashing from two, she was clear within a couple of strides and comfortably held off Second Treasure into the turn.

Once doing so, she was left further clear as those in behind clashed. Earn Perks would emerge a thoroughly deserving two length winner over Epic Ace in 18.78, with Southwind Wild recovering from a very slow start to take third a further five lengths adrift.

DEAR SIR WINS A THRILLER

The final heat saw Dear Sir make a successful return to the sprinting ranks. This was a hugely competitive and entertaining contest.

Dear Sir flew from the outside box to lead early but he was challenged and headed by Import Duty between the opening two bends.

By this point Stonepark Browne, Nellys Twink and Road Exile were also trying to get involved and the verdict was still very much in the balance. Stonepark Browne checked off at the bend, however, holding up both Nellys Twink and Road Exile and leaving it between the front two.

In a tremendous finish, Dear Sir rallied on the run-in to get the better of Import Duty. Laurence Jones’ talented son of Premier Fantasy and Dear Oh Dear would power home to win by a length from Import Duty in 18.94. Road Exile ran on well to take third, a further length adrift.