MUSIC INTHE AIR STARS IN THE SECOND ROUND OF THE LEE STRAND

Barry Drake

MUSIC INTHE AIR (Ballymac Cashout-Nocturnal Hekla) produced another performance of the very highest order in the second round of the €10,000 to the winner Lee Strand 550 at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium on Friday night.

Trained by Patrick Guilfoyle for owners the Pension Plan Syndicate, the 2-1 second choice of the punters took a flyer from trap three, and he slipped around the opening corners in front. Both Tullig Coyote and Ballymac Charbel turned right behind, and it was race on down the back straight. Little between the front three on the run to the second-last corner, but from there, Music Inthe Air displayed a smart injection of speed and the classy winner pulled away for a fantastic success, clocking a top-class 29.23. Three and a half lengths back to Ballymac Charbel in second, with half a length back to Tullig Coyote in third.

In the opening heat, Impact Cooper (Links Maverick-Impact Miami) scored for trainer John Kelliher and owner David Galvin. The July puppy displayed nice pace into the opening corner, and the 5-2 shot drove a fantastic opening bend from trap five to slip around in front. Powering down the back straight, he quickly pulled eight lengths clear of the chasing pack. After a poor start, Moorstown Arwen was hitting top gear at halfway, and she made plenty of late gains; however, the impressive winner had it won early. Two and a half lengths the margin, in 29.68. Kilcolgan Katie was five and a half lengths back in third.

Cosmic Dancer (Ballymac Bolger-Fire Height Mal) took the second heat for trainer Brendan Maunsell and owner Joao Neves. The October puppy displayed nice early speed from trap two to lead around the opening corners. With trouble in behind, the even-money winner was soon in total control. About six clear at halfway, it was game over up front. Happy Me, who found trouble early, did catch the eye late on, finishing well to get within a length and a half of the winner, in 29.76. Five lengths back to Droopys Vichy in third.

In the closing heat, Gortatlea Mac (Ballymac Cooper-Solas An Iarthar) came home in front for trainer Jack Kennelly and owners Darragh Sheehan and Caragh Lynch. Boildacabbage led early, but the short-priced Ballymac Scheff was soon catching the eye; however, when they came together, it opened the door for the 4-1 winner who quickly took full advantage. Keeping on well, the winner came home a length clear of the Ballymac runner, who was again unlucky late on, running into the back of the winner when looking to be coming with a big late winning run. A length the margin, in 29.94. Nine lengths back to Boildacabbage in third place.

Cashen Ashly (Grangeview Ten-Rafas Friend) Pictured right: Alan O'Shaughnessy, representing Declan Thornton from sponsors KASKO, making the winning presentation to owner Chris Houlihan following Cashen Ashley's win in the Kasko A2 Stakes in Tralee on Friday night. With Shane O'Connell, Kieran Casey Racing Manager KGS, Patsy O'Rourke & Heather Hartley KGS. landed the €3,500 to the winner Kasko A2 Stakes Final for Chris Houlihan and Irene Kennelly. The July puppy wasn't the quickest away from trap five, but the impressive winner tracked beautifully around the opening bends. It got very tight along the inside, but the winner was displaying plenty of pace out wide. Flying to the front soon after the second bend, the talented youngster soon kicked a couple of lengths clear of Millridge Lily, and the order remained the same throughout. Three lengths the margin, in 28.47. Clona Chase was a further four and a half lengths back in third place.