SCOTCH QUICKEST IN QUALITY FARE AT CLONMEL

Peter Farrell

Friday night saw a series of fine performances at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium with the pick of those an off-the-pace display from Riverside Scotch as he brought his career tally to five wins.

Trained by Graham Holland for daughter Rachel, Riverside Scotch went to traps as the even money favourite in the Sporting Press Open 525, however, punters had big worries early doors as ‘Scotch’ walked from trap two. In contrast, Dainty Exile struck the front in the early exchanges and he held a healthy advantage rounding the opener. Holding a four length lead at this point, Dainty Exile looked a likely winner, however, Riverside Scotch had tracked smartly to go third and was showing rapid progress at the midway point as he improved into second. Bridging the gap with every stride around the bottom two bends, there was an air of inevitability entering the home straight as Riverside Scotch railed tightly to take control. In doing so, the son of Droopys Sydney and Riverside Honey showed his superior stamina to power to a half length success over the gallant Dainty Exile. The time was a fast 28.66.

IN OTHER RESULTS

There was a brilliant debut performance in the curtain raiser as the Paraic Campion-owned Boozed Akela romped to a convincing victory. Installed as the 5/4 favourite, the daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Road Queen broke spritely from three, however, was tapped in the opening yards by the superior early speed of Blinkyoumissit in six. That said, ‘Akela’ wasn’t going away and she motored alongside her rival before taking charge entering the penultimate bend. From here, Campion’s charge showed massive stamina abilities as she drew clear to win by an extending twelve lengths. The time was 29.13.

Race three saw Daring Hoffa bounce back from a debut defeat in the best possible style for Michael Meade, Michael Millar and James Maguire. Just an April pup, the son of Coolavanny Hoffa and Another Blonde was reverting back to the two-bend trip in this contest and he made his intentions clear at traprise with a rapid exit from trap three. Showing fine acceleration into the opening bend, the 4/5 chance turned on the style thereafter as he galloped to a comfortable five and a half length win over Minor Part in second. The time was a fast 16.39.

A downgraded Bouncing Lad got back to winning ways in race four as he too justified favouritism to win for Pat O’Connell and the Bouncing-Lad-Syndicate. Bidding to bring up his half-dozen, the son of Droopys Buick and Newinn Winx made every post a winner as he saw off Coill Bhui Wow by one and a half lengths, in a time of 28.83.

The favourites kept on winning and in race eight, Tullovin Bolger made it back-to-back wins for Michael Ryan. Tipping the scales at a massive 86-pounds, the son of Ballymac Bolger and Tullovin Kim took full advantage of a perfect pitch in red as he broke well before nudging his rivals aside at the opener. In doing so, the 5/4 jolly set a solid gallop throughout to see off the persistent challenge of Westwind Paula in second. The time was 28.70.