LAST TO FIRST FOR DELICATE LASS IN THE KINGDOM OPEN 750 FINAL

Barry Drake

DELICATE LASS, for Mary Kennedy, came from the clouds to win the feature at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium on Friday night, the €4,000 to the winner Kingdom Stadium Open 750 Final.

The 5-2 winner was out the back early and at the winning line for the first time, you couldn't see her landing the spoils. Labana Cody was going along nicely up front, about three lengths clear of Wellsreet Cath with a circuit to go. The winner was at least eight lengths adrift with a mountain to climb.

Fashion Model was displaying massive pace on the back straight with Daleroad Poppy also catching the eye. At the second last bend, Fashion Model took over at the head of affairs, and she looked on course for victory. Delicate Lass was still last, however, only five lengths separated all six runners.

Powering up the home straight, Delicate Lass flew home to secure victory, a length and a half clear of Fashion Model. Just a short head back to Daleroad Poppy in third place.

Tullig Navalny, for the M-A-C-B-S-Syndicate, put on a superb performance to win the €1,250 to the winner Camp Kennels Stakes Final. All about early speed, the 2-1 shot came away racing, and in truth, the outcome was never in any doubt. Keeping on well up front, the impressive winner got the better of Steeple Rd Amber, by four and a half lengths in 28.26.

The opening semi-final of the William Potters Herlihy Memorial A3 Stake went the way of Ballymac Cloon, for Liam Dowling. Not the quickest of starters, the October puppy showed nice pace into the opening bend, driving two great corner to lead, the bright prospect went on to beat Ballymac Caradoc, by a neck, in 28.66.

In the second heat, Coolemore Cookie made all the running to win for trainer James O'Rourke and owners John O'Rourke and Cassie O'Sullivan. A fine front-running display to win, in 28.77, two and a half lengths clear of Quiet Bosswoman.

In the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby Trial Stake, Magical Keith scored for trainer Patrick Guilfoyle and owner S.G.Harvey. In a great early battle with Fire Height Kane, the 5-4 winner took control before halfway, and he dug deep to hold the fast finishing Moorestown Knight, by half a length, in 29.67. (550).