GRANGEVIEW DOUBLE THE HIGHLIGHT ON FESTIVE NIGHT AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

Galway Greyhound Stadium continued their festive sweepstakes last night and on a very cold night, which was reflected on the clock, the Hogan Family accounted for a double with Grangeview Port and Grangeview Liz both scoring.

Grangeview Port sealed the double in the opening semi final of the Stephen Murray Top Kennel A2 525 as the heavyweight fawn justified his 4/5 starting price. Owned by Michael Hogan, Grangeview Port didn’t come away too well from trap three but he showed blistering early speed to turn a close second behind early leader, Ougham Sky. From here, the son of Grangeview Ten and Blastoff Khalesi soared past his rival and he maintained a strong gallop to emerge a four and a half length winner. The time was 30.02 .30s.

Prior to that, the kennel double was kick-started by Grangeview Liz in race three, a 350-yard contest. A 5/4 chance at the off, Michael Hogan’s bitch came away like the wind from trap two and she was soon to get off the mark at just the second time of asking. Holding a huge advantage over her rivals, the daughter of Ballymac Best and Grangeview West was seven and a half lengths too strong for her rivals, in a time of 19.58 .15s.

SWEEPSTAKE ACTION

Elsewhere in the sweepstake action, Astro Keva went narrowly quickest in the WGOBA Remembering Our Friends 350 semi finals. Jointly owned by Gary and Damien Pepper, the May 21’ daughter of Droopys Sydney and Astro Abby was to exact revenge on Sports Sky after being collared by her rival last time out. Making full use of her draw in trap one, Astro Keva railed like a cat to take control entering the home straight and she was two and a half lengths too strong thereafter. The time was 20.08 .15s.

In the semi finals of WGOBA GRI Non Winners 525, it was Derra Viva who went fastest for trainer Stephen Murray. Owned by Rachel Murray, the 5/4 favourite disputed with Jimmys Gadget early on but she had a brilliant line on the rail to take command into the back straight. A good buckle ensued between herself and Tall Paul down the back but the superior stamina of Derra Viva saw the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Playmistyforme come out on top. Three and a half lengths clear crossing the line, the time was 30.22 .30s.

In the semi finals of the WGOBA Sean Scully Memorial, it was Larchill Echo who set the standard for Michael and Avril Donoghue. A 5/2 chance at the off, the daughter of Pestana and Port West Pop had to play second fiddle to Heathlawn Redzer early on but after a fine buckle down the back, Larchill Echo took charge at the penultimate. Staying on well thereafter, Donoghue’s charge kept enough in reserve to see off the favourite, Grangeview Lolo, in second. The time was 29.83 .30s.

In terms of the fastest clock on the night, that accolade went to Insidethehuddle in the concluding race of the night. Owned by the Lads-Dayout-In-Dublin Syndicate, Insidethehuddle chased Danamesbuzz into the back from trap six but the son of Ballymac Best and Ballydoyle Grace loomed alongside the leader at the penultimate turn. Setting a strong gallop thereafter, Insidethehuddle was very impressive in posting a five and a half length success, in a smart 29.46 .30s.