NANDO AND GAR PRODUCE THE GOODS ON TOP-CLASS LIFFORD CARD

Peter Farrell

The semi finals of the Northwest Greyhound Supplies Tri-Distance took centre stage at Lifford Stadium on Sunday evening and they proved top-class affairs that suggest that next week’s decider will take a bit of winning.

Boasting €1,500 to the eventual winner, both semi finals were impacted by a number of non-runners, however, this took absolutely nothing away from the quality on offer as both Quivers Nando and No Sock Gar raced to comprehensive victories.

TASTY WIN FOR NANDO

The quickest on the clock over the 550-yard leg was Quivers Nando, who once again produced a masterclass of wide-running for Monaghan handler Benny Treanor.

Installed as the 5/4 jolly with Blackstone Aldo next best at 6/4, it was in fact Burgess Girl who pinged out from trap five to lead from Quivers Nando in six. However, that lead was short-lived rounding the first couple of bends as the favourite took charge entering the back. At this point, Blackstone Aldo displayed incredible pace down the far side and looked nailed on to take charge, however, he checked at the penultimate turn, allowing Quivers Nando to once again assert. Thereafter, it was a comfortable assignment for the son of Airmount Nando and Quivershillcroft as he breezed to a four and three parts of a length victory over Blackstone Aldo in second. The time was a rapid 30.13.

BACK-TO-BACK FOR GAR

In the opening semi final, No Sock Gar built brilliantly on his first round win with another comprehensive performance.

Owned by Dan McGilloway, the June puppy went to traps as the even money favourite and he made his intentions clear from the outset with a thunderous start from trap four. Showing lovely early dash, the son of Malachi and Fast Fit Maeve set a blistering gallop down the back and in truth, his rivals never made a yard on the strapping blue as he relished every inch of the 550 trip to secure a three and three parts of a length victory over Pivotal Time in second. The time was a smart 30.23.

*****

CARA SETS THE STANDARD IN DAN MCCANN

Elsewhere on the card, the three semi finals of the Dan McCann Memorial A4 525, sponsored by Seamus McCloskey, also went down for decision and it was Easy Cara that set the standard with an outstanding display.

Trained by Micky Taggart for Barry Rocks, Easy Cara had some eye-catching trial form to her name and this was reflected in her starting price of even money. Running from trap five, the daughter of Ballymac Bolger rocketed from traps to quickly assert on route to the opening turn. Challenged down the back by the improving Baba Yaga, the latter checked at the penultimate turn and this allowed Easy Cara to run out a facile winner over Egret, who came through for second. Four and a half lengths separating the duo, the time was a terrific 28.61.

Prior to that, there was another phenomenal performance from Dance Cooper, who broke his maiden tag in emphatic style for Willie Mullan and James Logue of Derry. Another who went to boxes as the even money favourite, this contest was never in doubt as the son of Ballymac Bolger and Dance Dearbhail popped out in front. Running to a virtual solo thereafter, ‘Cooper’ proved a class above his rivals in galloping to an eight length success over Rough Romano in second. The time was a swift 28.66.

The third semi final was landed by Millabbey Pat for Gerard Stringer as he took his career winners tally to three. Running from trap three, the 6/4 chance disputed early on with Novak in trap two and the duo served up quite a buckle right up the midway point. However, ‘Pat’ displayed the superior stamina in the closing stages as the son of Good News and Millabbey Mandy emerged a most convincing over the gallant Novak in second. The time was 29.17.

*****

HIGH QUALITY DUAL-DISTANCE ACTION

The third sweepstake on the card was the ‘Wishing You All The Luck In Life Dual Distance’, sponsored by Lynda Bonner, and this too proved of excellent quality as both Plenty Of Frogs and Damn The Bit dipped under the 29-second barrier.

It was Damn The Bit that went narrowly quicker in the opening semi final as the Eddie Hurson-trained tracker rediscovered his very best form. Running from trap five, Damn The Bit pinged the lids from five and it became clear from an early stage that the 5/2 chance would take some pegging back. Opening up down the back, the son of Good News and Kooga Klass upped the ante at the midway point and he never relented thereafter to come home five lengths clear of Fridays Acclaim in second. The time was 28.91.

Shortly after, Plenty Of Frogs delivered on several big whispers surrounding his ability. After making up eye-catching ground last time out, Ryan McGranaghan’s charge broke much better this time around and the even money chance took charge off the second bend to quickly manufacture a healthy advantage. Staying on stoutly thereafter, the son of Broadstrand Bono and Gentle Trend accounted for a four length win over Kooga King in second. The time was 28.96.