Butler ends year on a high note

IT WAS a great end-of-season night for Wexford trainer Anton Butler at Enniscorthy Greyhound Track as he recorded a double and had the first and second in the last major stake final of the year.

Things got off to a flying start as Aaron Butler’s Telex Brat ran out a clearcut easy winner in a good 28.91.

The Christmas A2/3 stake final was the feature event and the two Butler-trained runners, Blow My Mind and Go Ellie Go, dominated right from trap rise. Ellie took control off the second bend and this was the order all the way to the line, with two lengths separating them.

Go Ellie Go is owned by Jason Mulligan who enjoyed his Christmas present with his charge, recording a fast 28 63.

Race three saw the Peter Nolan-owned Flying Lola return to winning ways, and this ultra-consistent bitch showed the 600 yards trip was no bother to her, taking the lead off the second bend to go on to score a snug victory.

Race eight saw the Philip Lynch-owned Toker Olivia score another good win over the 575 yards trip. It was her sixth career win and she will win plenty more over this kind of trip for sure.

Next year will see a welcome change for novice races all over the country as all tracks will now be obliged to run unraced stakes every month, with no more novices put into graded races.

Most runners will be guaranteed two runs in novice company and there will be Maiden races which should give all runners a chance of winning some kind of race.

The Enniscorthy track will re-open in late January.

December 21 results - race one, Welcome to The Show Grounds Christmas Party 525: 1, Telex Brat (owner, Aaron Butler; trainer, Anton Butler, Rathaspeck), 28.91; 2, Falcon Blitz, 29.57.

Race two, The Underneath The Christmas Tree Stakes: 1, Metric Sasha (owner, Pauline Byrne, Marshalstown), 29.51; 2, Pros Fancy, 29.58.

Race three, The Safe Journey Home 600 Stakes: 1, Flying Lola (owner, Peter Nolan, Wexford town; trainer, Cora Doyle), 33.09; 2, Suzies Daisy, 33.23.

Race four, The Santa Claus Is Comin to Town Marathon Stakes: 1, Kingsmill Rio (owner, John Roche, Barntown), 47.62; 2, Kiltrea Ellie, 47.83.

Race five, The Christmas A2/A3 Sweepstake final: 1, Go Ellie Go (owner, Jason Mulligan; trainer, Anton Butler, Rathaspeck), 28.63; 2, Blow Your Mind, 28.77.

Race six, The Wish You All A Very Peaceful Christmas Stakes: 1, Missions Luck (owner, Brendan Fortune, Wexford), 29.05; 2, Related Info, 29.78.

Race seven, The Back Racing on Thursday 7th Feb Stakes: 1, Likeable Laz (owner, John Brady, Co. Wicklow; trainer, J.A. Hand), 29.11; 2, Expres Zodiac, 29.63.

Race eight, The Flying Home For Christmas Stakes: 1, Toker Olivia (owner, Philip Lynch, New Ross), 31.72; 2, Goquicksaysmick, 31.86.

Race nine, The Coming Home For Christmas Stakes: 1, Piercestown Lord (owners, Brendan Murphy and Pádraig Cosgrave, Wexford town), 28.98; 2, Hot Diggity Dog, 29.12.

Race ten, The Thanks for all your Support Stakes: 1, Brightside Vim (owner, John Kavanagh, Inglewood, Enniscorthy), 29.25; 2, Indian Trump, 29.56.