MERLIN CASTS HIS SPELL AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

While there were just seven races on offer at Galway Greyhound Stadium on Friday night, there were a number of fine performances, none more so than that of Hollywell Merlin in the concluding A1/A2 525 contest.

Alison Coxon’s runner is a model of consistency and, despite returning from a brief layoff, he picked up where he left off with a serious display, securing an eleventh career victory in the process. A fast 19.07 trial suggested he was primed for his return and that was reflected in the market, with Hollywell Merlin sent to traps as the 6/4 favourite. Drawn in six, the son of Ballymac Bolger - O Mahoney set his stall out early with a lightning break from traps, posting a 3.22 sectional to lead. In doing so, he tracked well at the opener to extend a three-length advantage over Glengar Sofia to five lengths entering the bottom two bends. Staying on strongly thereafter, ‘Merlin’ breezed to the line to clock a rapid 28.84 on a track rated 10 slow, rounding off a brilliant display from the experienced black.

RUBY SETS THE STANDARD IN A3/A4 STAKE

Elsewhere on the card, the opening-round heats of the Greyhounds Make Great Pets A3/A4 525 got underway and it was Rose and Martin Kelly’s Heathlawn Ruby (Grangeview Ten - Blackstone Time) who set the standard, recording a ninth career victory and bouncing back from a troublesome passage last time out. Drawn in one, the 4/6 favourite took a flyer from boxes and carried a one-length advantage into the back straight from Up The Jimmys in second. With Portumna Amber improving further back, she tangled with Up The Jimmys in behind, allowing Heathlawn Ruby to skip even further clear. Staying on well thereafter, she recorded a four-length victory in 29.28 .10s.

In the other heats, Annadown Harvey was hugely encouraging as Gerry Dillon’s runner came from off the pace to justify his 4/6 billing. The son of Grangeview Ten - Annadown Cutie arrived late to see off On The Latte by three-quarters of a length in 29.52 .10s.

Caislean Diane (Dromana Bucko - Brickhill Sharon) was a 3/1 chance in heat three and Kevin Connolly’s fawn proved two lengths too good for Nine Ball in 29.54 .10s.

Earlier on the card, it would be remiss not to mention the performance of Paradise Honk as the November pup secured a third career victory for the Honk-Army-Syndicate. Drawn in five, the 2/1 chance made every post a winning one as he stormed to a three-length victory in a brisk 29.05 .10s.

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