O’Connor double with Hawthorn siblings

THERE was plenty to whet the appetite of greyhound enthusiasts on Saturday night with the opening round heats of the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium Supporters N1, whilst the Oaks final from Shelbourne Park and the semi-finals of the English Derby from Towcester were also carefully monitored live on the screens.

Litter comrades Hawthorn Boys and Hawthorn Katie provided Ballyduff handler Patrick O’Connor with a double on the card, with the latter posting the fastest time of the night, 28.63 in a grade A2 contest. The daughter of Royal Impact and Hawthorn Sara trapped well from the blue box, and having won the race to the opening bend she avoided the trouble that ensued at the first which saw the evens favourite Promising being badly impeded. The 5/2 priced Hawthorn Katie continued to dominate out in front and held a three-length advantage from Helenas Star at the mid-point. The latter did begin to reduce the deficit from here onwards and while she closed right up on the long time leader close home, Hawthorn Katie held on for a deserved victory by half a length. It was a whopping nine lengths back to Misty Nidge in third.

Hawthorn Boy had claimed his third win from six outings earlier in the card when producing a gutsy display to land the spoils in Race 5, and 325 yd contest for grade S6. Drawn in trap 5, the 6/4 shot had plenty company on the dash to the opening bend. He pulled out a decisive half length advantage to lead at the first and from this point on he always looked in control of the race.

Decorated Knight emerged as his leading rival from the chasing pack, however having steered wide at the closing bend he expelled any chance of mounting a serious challenge. The winner stayed on gamely to record a 1 ½ length in 17.83, with Decorated Knight maintaining his position to claim second. Betsys Bailey was 3 ½ lengths back in third.

The opening round heats of the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium Supporters N1 were hotly contested and produced some eye-catching performances. Carran Joshua (Storm Control/Perles Bay) broke in front in the opening heat (Race 6) and was not for catching as he ran his rivals ragged to record a time of 28.83 for Headford owner Alan Newman.

Drawn in trap 1, he veered right across the track on the run down to the bend and a middle to wide draw may well suit this youngster going forward. six lengths clear down the back straight, the winner extended his advantage with every stride from halfway and the 6/4 shot stopped the clock nine lengths clear of Charo who took second, with a further 1 ½ lengths back to Seomra Christy in third.

Longmeadow Raven was first to show from trap 2 in Race 7 and held a clear lead off the opening bend from Didley Squat (Droopys Jet/ Pinerra Ranger) in 4 who was three lengths off the leader down the back straight.

However, the Oliver Healy owned Jan ’17 whelp quickly reduced the deficit and the 2/1shot loomed large as the leading duo raced into the third bend. With momentum firmly on the side of Didley Squat, he powered to the front off the closing bend and pulled a length clear of his rival where it mattered most to stop the clock in 29.18.

Maximum Force did well to recover having being impeded at the first to claim third a further three lengths back.

The Michael Daly owned Ballyard George (Confident Rankin/ Coolavanny Sella) posted the fastest clock of the round when producing a trap to line victory in 28.79. The 4/5 favourite hit the ground running from trap 4 and was a length clear of his rivals when negotiating the opening curves. There was plenty trouble in behind at the opening turn when Seomra Skip and Lone Ice collided to effectively end their chances of being competitive.

Coyote Jet from trap 6 looked the only threat to Ballyard George and he began to close up on the leader approaching the final turn. However the ‘jolly’ found plenty when asked and passed the line two lengths clear of his rival in an impressive clock of 28.79. Palatine Michael ran on to take third a further 4 ½ lengths in arrears.

Other winners were Snobswithoutbobs 17.89, Omega Roz 29.65, Conquering Queen 18.26, Mayfly 29.04, Corrib Rose 29.18 and Parason Mario 29.01