1-2 FOR SLIPALONG IN THE FEATURE EVENT IN THE KINGDOM

Barry Drake

SLIPALONG ACE, trained by Patrick O'Connor for Eric O'Connor, ran out a brilliant winner of the Supporting The KGS Rose Of Tralee Final at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night.

Sent off a 7-2 shot for the €2,100 to the winner event, the impressive winner was delivering a career-best performance in the decider. It was a superb display when you consider he overcame a bump at the opening corner, coming together with Saleen Focus, he recovered quickly and displayed massive pace up front.

It was a great night for the Patrick O'Connor team as Slipalong Rex, a litter brother to the winner, finished well for second. A length and a half the margin, in 28.50.

Elsewhere on the card, Skidroes Pestana (5-1) caught the eye in the closing race, an A2 570, winning in 30.61. Winning the all-important early lead, the Thomas Sugrue-trained runner always looked good up front. Pulling right away late on, the William McKenna-owned runner ran out a very convincing winner.

An Maistir stayed on well to win the Donal O'Regan Memorial 570 Race for trainer Jack Kennelly and Jimmy Corr. After catching the eye in a couple of previous outings, the 6-4 shot clocked 30.78 when beating Woman Of Money, by a length.