Nice success for Danescastle owner in heat opener GREYHOUNDS

THERE WAS a welcome addition to the race calendar at Enniscorthy Greyhound Track on Monday of last week when the Oceanfeed Greyhound+ Open Unraced Bitch Stake was run, with four first round heats taking place.

There should be a lot more bitch stakes and races on the calendar but the I.G.B. are slow to grasp the concept, unlike the H.R.I. who have made great strides in mares’ races.

Danescastle owner Martin O’Sullivan enjoyed a nice success in heat four when his Pinpama Girl, having won her two qualifying trials, showed nice early form to lead. She ran on strongly to hold Forest Rita in 29.31.

Earlier in heat two Forest Bee was an easy winner in a good 29.17, while Ashwood Joan showed nice pace to finish second. She could be one to improve in the coming weeks.

Race seven saw the John Murphy-owned Yogis Hamstring return to form when leading up and going on to score in a good 29.18.

On Thursday night the Pettitt’s A3/4 stake got under way with all four first round heats run. Owner George Roche has been having a great winning run this year and he was responsible for the first two heats.

First JoJo On Air went to the lead at the second bend and had to pull out all the stops to hold the fast finish of Mininthebox by half a length in 29.68, while in heat two Reckingball also led but he ran out a more comfortable winner from the running on Honest Suckle in a good 29.20.

The Helen Morris-owned Leamaneigh Fort tracked very well around the first bend to weave his way to the lead off the second and ran out an easy win in a good 29.00.

The seventh race was the final of the Robert Lee Engineering A5 dual distance stake, and favourite Stripe Pal made life difficult for himself after fluffing the break.

However, he recovered to go second into the back straight behind leader Mayo Todoit, but he quickly put the race to bed, leading by the third bend to go away to score by five lengths in 31.85 for regular Kilkenny visitor, owner Ned Freeman.

The eighth race was a very good A0/A1 which saw a fine run by Piercestown Moll who scored her 18th race win in style by three lengths in a best of the night 28.83 for owner Seamus ‘Shanks’ Whelan.

August 7 results - race one, Welcome to Enniscorthy Track A7/ A8 525: 1, Rathbally Ace (owner, James Flynn, Enniscorthy), 29.44; 2, Kilbreedy Millie, 29.61.

Race two, The Trackside Diner A6 525: 1, Glenbrien Bolt (owner, Kathleen Stamp, Glenbrien), 29.35; 2, Edermine Pat, 29.42.

Race three, Oceanfeed Greyhound+ Open Unraced Bitch Stake round one, heat one: 1, Dysert Michelle (owner, Maria Byrne, Carrick-on-Suir), 29.62; 2, Scurry In A Hurry, 29.67.

Race four, Oceanfeed Greyhound+ Open Unraced Bitch Stake round one, heat two: 1, Forest Bee (owner, Patrick Kehoe, Grangecon), 29.17; 2, Ballyhi Belle, 30.01.

Race five, Oceanfeed Greyhound+ Open Unraced Bitch Stake round one, heat three: 1, Ballyhi Honey (owner, Michael Furlong, Enniscorthy), 30.46; 2, Danaismias Lady, 30.51.

Race six, Oceanfeed Greyhound+ Open Unraced Bitch Stake round one, heat four: 1, Pinpama Girl (owner, Martin O’Sullivan, Danescastle), 29.31; 2, Forest Rita, 29.36.

Race seven, August A5 525: 1, Yogis Hamstring (owner, John Murphy, Enniscorthy), 29.18; 2, Barrack Fifi, 29.49.

Race eight, Wexford Coursing Club Night A4 525: 1, Rappers Rock (owner, Des Smith, Co. Carlow), 29.15; 2, Mikey Blue, 29.57.

August 10 results - race one, Welcome to Enniscorthy Track A4 525: 1, Lord Of Hope (owner, Tommy Woods, Enniscorthy), 29.10; 2, Ballinabola Ace, 29.27.

Race two, The Track Bar A3 550: 1, Moiras Wanderer (owners, The Dod-Wanderers syndicate, Coolcotts; trainer, Owen Doyle), 30.44; 2, Seagrave Lace, 30.46.

Race three, Pettitt’s 2017 A3/A4 525 Stake round one, heat one: 1, Jojo On Air (owner, George Roche, Barntown), 29.68; 2, Miniinthebox, 29.71.

Race four, heat two: 1, Reckingball (owner, George Roche, Barntown), 29.20; 2, Honest Suckle, 29.30.

Race five, heat three: 1, Leamaneigh Fort (owner, Helen Morris, Rosslare Harbour), 29.00; 2, Lizzylegit, 29.35.

Race six, heat four: 1, Karlow Leader (owner, Henry Kelly, Co. Carlow), 29.07; 2, Edermine Pat, 29.42.

Race seven, The Robert Lee Engineering A5 Dual Distance final: 1, Stripe Pal (owner, Ned Freeman, Co. Kilkenny), 31.85; 2, Contessa, 32.20.

Race eight, August A0/A1 525: 1, Piercestown Moll (owner, Seamus Whelan, Piercestown), 28.83; 2, Ballinabola Net, 29.04.

Race nine, Enniscorthy Rugby Club Night Next Thurs A2 525: 1, Karlow Joe (owner, Henry Kelly, Co. Carlow), 29.15; 2, Mattys Coutinho, 29.32.