NOAH MARGINALLY QUICKEST IN SEAN SCULLY SEMIS

Peter Farrell

The Sean Scully Memorial 525 is proving to be hugely competitive at Galway Greyhound Stadium and last night’s three semi finals saw just nine spots separate each of the winners.

Similar to last week, it was Pete's Noah that went narrowly quickest as Peter Russell’s charge justified his odds-on favouritism in the third and final semi. Trained by Donal Duggan, the 4/5 chance posted a decent 29.24 last time out and he was to make it back-to-back wins in convincing fashion as he made every inch of the running on this occasion. Drawn in six, the son of Burgess Bucks and Notimetotalk trapped with intent this time around and he paced up brilliantly on the wide outside to sweep around four clear of Lissatouk Pearl in second. The latter kept the leader honest for the majority of the contest without making any serious inroads and ‘Noah’ stayed on with authority to cross the line three and a half lengths clear of Lissatouk Pearl in second. The time was 29.30 .10s, an improvement of four spots on last week’s effort.

In the opening semi final, Tiermana Hunter bounced back from his opening round defeat to double his career tally for Colm Fitzgerald and the Supping-Away-Syndicate. Sent to traps as a 2/1 chance, the October puppy got things right at traprise this time around as he paced up with plenty of freedom on the rails. In doing so, he turned in front of Paradise Liberty and the contest quickly became a two-dog affair thereafter. While Paradise Liberty tried her best in second, Tiermana Hunter was to prove a tough nut to crack out in front and the son of Ballyhimikin Jet stayed on stoutly to emerge two lengths clear of Paradise Liberty in second. The time for this improving brindle was a brisk 29.33 .10s.

Sandwiched between the aforementioned winners was Hanover Luna (Slippery Robert - Ballyhale Chloe) in the second semi final. Another that tasted success in the opening round, Leeanne Fleming’s bitch is finding form at exactly the right time as she just held off the persistent challenge of the 4/5 favourite, Kilwest Beauty. Indeed, the 2/1 chance took a flyer from trap five and she survived some skirmishing early on to turn two lengths clear of her rivals. Kilwest Beauty emerged from the pack to prove a big challenger to ‘Luna’ late on, however, she showed excellent determination to cross the line with a neck to spare. Kilwest Beauty also advancing into the final, the time was 29.39 .10s.