BONO, UNA AND FELLOW LAND THURLES FEATURES

Peter Farrell

It was a big night at Thurles greyhound stadium on Saturday as the finals of the Simons Bar, Clonoulty, A2 525 and the Maurice Ryan ON2 525 went down for decision.

The first of the stakes to reach its conclusion was the final of the Maurice Ryan ON2 525 and this saw both Borna Bono and Bogger Una pass the post in front with the judge unable to separate the pair.

It was Borna Bono, owned by the Borna-Syndicate, who broke in front from trap two and it looked a formality after the son of Broadstrand Bono and Borna Blossom had showed a lovely turn of early speed to quickly manufacture a healthy advantage over kennel companion, Borna Thyme. However, ‘Bono’ came back to the field on the approach to the penultimate bend and this saw Bogger Una, who had sat some seven lengths adrift and looked dead and buried at halfway, get into contention. Owned by Liam Peacock, the daughter of Black Parachute and Bogger Megan railed like a cat in the closing yards to loom alongside her rivals and crossing the line, the judge couldn’t separate either Borna Bono or Bogger Una. A dead-heat called, this was a thoroughly exciting affair and the clock proved that of high quality. 29.18 .20s, expect to hear more from this pairing in the months to follow.

FELLOW LANDS SIMONS BAR FEATURE

Shortly after, the final of the Simons Bar, Clonoulty, A2 525 got underway and the €2,150 decider went the way of Splendid Fellow for Gary Pepper and Paraic Campion.

A winner of two of the three rounds prior, with his only defeat coming in the semis, Splendid Fellow was hoping to bring up a dozen career victories and the 2/1 chance trapped lively from five to take a slender lead into the back from Highview Ben in second. Showing fine back-straight pace at this point, the son of Confident Rankin and Vivaro Sansa was firmly in pole position and despite coming under late pressure from Crescent Emily, he held firm to record a deserved victory. Crossing the line one length clear of ‘Emily’ the time was 29.28 .20s.

DA WARRIOR HUGELY IMPRESSIVE

Aside from the sweepstake action, there was a performance of real note in the penultimate contest as Da Warrior produced an outstanding display for Kieran McGrath.

Without a win since September of 2023, Da Warrior still carried plenty of support in this A3 contest and he was installed as the 4/5 favourite to get back to winning ways. Powering from trap two, the son of Premier Fantasy and Taylor Kate never saw another tail as he proved a class above his rivals with an absolute demolition job. Galloping out majestically, Da Warrior was six and a half lengths clear of Cashel Rory, in a blistering time of 28.78 .20s.