ALL ABOUT LENNIES DESIRE IN THE SEMI-FINALS OF THE TWO WHEEL TRAINING OPEN 750 AT CURRAHEEN PARK

Barry Drake

LENNIES DESIRE (Signet Ace-Free From Desire), trained by Paul Hennessy for owner Lee Craze, set the standard in the semi-finals of the €5,000 to the winner Two Wheel Training Open 750 at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

The 2-1 favourite produced one of his better starts from four, and once leading around the opening corners, it was soon game over. Kicking clear right away, the impressive winner was in total control with a lap to go. Pulling further and further clear, he went on to clock 41.51, 11 lengths clear of the running-on Knockacrump Bell. A neck back to Mydras Opinion in third place.

Squinty Maginty (Mcinerney-Lemon Hazel) took the second semi-final for the Nightmare Four Syndicate. Hitting the front at the opening corners, the 3-1 chance then went on to deliver a brave performance, holding all challengers up front. It got very tight on the turns for home as Valhalla Vision appeared to be coming with what looked like a winning run; however, the winner pulled out all the stops to get the verdict, winning by half a length, in 42.02. A length back to Kippers Lass in third. Hot favourite Jaypees Cooper was never in the race after totally missing the kick.

Droopys Monk (Signet Ace-Droopys Lois) impressed in the opening heat of the Denis Linehan Solicitors Open Unraced Stake. Trained by Barry Clancy for Graham Ashe and Tommy Kelly, the November puppy turned second and the 4-6 favourite flew down the back straight. Taking over from the early paced Flamin Cashless before the third corner, the exciting puppy stayed on strongly to beat Mcenroe, by seven lengths, in 28.42.

The second heat went the way of Razldazl Loreal (Droopys Scolari-Forest Willow) for Richard Brown and Dolores Ruth. Quickest into stride, the November puppy, a 4-6 favourite, found plenty of trouble at the opening bends, but she recovered well to take control. Always doing enough up front, the classy youngster came home half a length clear of Kevinsfort Rusty, in 29.03.

Revolut Bull (Ballymac Best-Crafty Kokoro) overcame a bump at the opening bend to win the third heat for Peter Divilly, Galway. Blastoff O Henry cut out a lot of the early running, but the September puppy was much the strongest late on. Powering home, the 5-2 winner beat the early paced runner-up, by a neck, in 28.55.

Fantasy Adam (Jacktavern Gem-Newinn Madam) battled well to win the fourth heat for trainer Adam Dunford and owner Lelsie Coveney. The September puppy, a 5-2 shot, was in front early, but he had to keep pulling out that bit more to fend off the persistent challenge of Fahrenheit Ace. A length the margin, in 28.72.

In the fifth and final heat, Thurlesbeg Duke (Priceless Jet-Luna Rocket) came home in front for Darragh Dwan. The August puppy, a 3-1 shot, made use of the inside line to slip around in front. Staying on well up front, the determined winner got the better of Bockos Jovi, by a length and a half, in 28.76.

Arch Whisperer (King Sheeran-Blastoff Kat), for the Home By Ten Syndicate, is a greyhound going places, and the June puppy caught the eye, winning race eight, an A2, in 28.76. The well-backed 4-5 favoruite, in the care of Marguerite Grassick, displayed plenty of speed on the back straight to take up the running and come home three and a half lengths clear of Gowlane Trend.

Always in the mix up front, Ballycowen Daisy (Ballymac Cashout-Peckies Flyer) just did enough to win the closing race for Cobh trainer Dean Harpur. The even-money favourite got the better of Millridge Cindy, by a head, in 28.92.

Members of the Home By Ten Syndicate accept the winning presentation from Damien Holland of the Curraheen Park Supporters Club on Saturday night. Also included is Alex Grassick with winning greyhound, Arch Whisperer, winner of the Curraheen Park Supporters Club A2 race.