SERIOUSLY STYLISH RUN IN NATIONAL PUPPY

Ian Fortune

Up The Style may have been having just her eighth career start but she was again the toast of Shelbourne Park on Saturday night as she confirmed her standing as one of the best and most exciting young greyhounds on the planet with a brilliant display of front running in the final of the IGOBF National Puppy Stake.

Pat and Alan Dobbs have made a conscious effort over the past two years to buy pups with the best pedigrees. It just so happens that Up The Style was one of the first purchases of their project and they have already been richly rewarded as Up The Style looks the real deal.

It was clear from her first race she was something out of the ordinary and after going unbeaten through an unraced stake at Newbridge, clocking 28.17 in the final, she made a successful switch to Shelbourne Park.

Her first defeat came in the final of the Puppy Oaks when she missed the start but she certainly atoned for that defeat on Saturday night. A superb semi-final winner in 28.39, the daughter of Pestana and Unlock Unlock went even faster to land the €12,500 winner’s purse.

The 2-1 joint favourite alongside Boylesports Vic, she wasn’t the fastest into stride but she soon moved through the gears to charge to the front. On the inside of the track Romeo Turbo came away fast, edging off the fence to bump Boylesports Vic.

With space at a premium on her inside, Up The Style shot around her rivals before driving across the corner to increase her advantage. It was a spectacular maneouvre and one of a potential superstar. In a matter of strides, she put the contest to bed.

Clear of her rivals to halfway, there was never any doubt about whether she would come home in front. The Robert Gleeson trained starlet was chased by Rathdown Molly initially but she could never land a glove on the leader.

Instead Ballymac Johnjo displayed huge pace into the third turn and home to finish a good second but Up The Style was always very comfortable. Staying on well, the January ’21 whelp raced onto a famous two and a half length victory in 28.29. Ballymac Johnjo also looked extremely exciting in second, while Romeo Turbo was third. 

Deirdre Leahy presents the trophy to Alan Dobbs after Up The Style won the 2022 IGOBF National Puppy at Shelbourne Park. Also included are trainer Robert Gleeson, Keith Duffy, Michael Dempsy Racing Manager Shelbourne Park, Wayne McCarthy GRI, John Dobbs, John Doyle (Snr), John Doyle (Jnr) and Ailish McCann.                     Pic: Imelda Grauer

SUPREME RUN FROM BAREFOOT

Racing ended with one of the best displays of the night as Bryan and Kathleen Murphy’s Barefoot Supremo got loose to the turn before seeing off a talented field with relative ease.

The powerful son of Ballymac Best and Portumna West was never going to be threatened once striking the front and he eased clear to eventually see off Kilgraney Clang by five lengths in a brilliant 30.84. Given the slightly slower conditions on the night it was a massive run from the Paul Hennessy trained star.

WINKS GOES FAST

After Up The Style, Thomas Glynn’s Thirtyninewinks was next fastest for the standard trip despite failing to lead in the early yards.

The David Murray trained speedster was afforded some luck at the turn, when left in front after Coolboy Rusty had been clipped from behind.

Taking charge early in the back straight, the hugely fast son of Laughil Bolt and Combined Effort quickly put daylight between himself and his rivals. Urban View did stay on well to grab second but he was four lengths behind Thirtyninewinks who stopped the clock in a rapid 28.40.

BALLYCRYSTAL WITH THE ACE

Ballycrystal Ace is certainly well named as he flashed from traps and his rivals were given little chance to get their racket on the ball.

Trained by Myles Roban for Matthew Flynn-O’Connor and Noel Hayes, the son of Cushie Jet and Liberty Marie was always in command.

Clear from the opening strides, he was left further ahead on the turn and he proceeded to cross the line a length to the good over Undisputed, who potentially enhanced her reputation in defeat. Ballycrystal Ace stopped the clock in 28.57.

IRELANDS LEFT ON HIS OWN UP FRONT

Irelands Own is a win machine for Murt Leahy and the McLean Avenue Syndicate, especially when allowed to set his own fractions up front.

That was the case in the seventh race with the son of Dorotas Wildcat and Droopys Achieve making every inch despite the best efforts of Pintsnotpilates in second. At the line Irelands Own had a length and a half to space in 28.61.

FINN STARS IN DOWLING TREBLE

Liam Dowling has his string really firing at present and he recorded a wonderful treble on the night that was highlighted by the display of his Derby runner-up Ballymac Finn in the penultimate race over the 550yd trip.

This was a polished display from the brilliant son of Droopys Sydney and Ballymac Petsy. Breaking smartly from the inside box, he drifted to the middle of the track but comfortably led the field around the turn. Toolmaker Wilde made a big move in the second half of the contest, closing fast in the dying yards but Ballymac Finn went on to hold by a half length in 29.64.

BAILEY LEAVES RIVALS ON ICE

Ballymac Bailey had earlier recorded the second leg of the Dowling treble as he came home in front in the sixth race over 575yds.

The son of Ballymac Cooper and Ballymac Bonnie broke fastest and always seemed to have the measure of his rivals. Storys Peewee ran on strongly to grab second on the line but Ballymac Bailey wasn’t for catching as he crossed the line two lengths clear in 31.04.  

BAR LEADS ON THE LINE

Liam Dowling sent out his first winner in the form of Ballymac Bar in the A3 second race.

In a desperate finish, the well-built son of Ballymac Bolger and Motorbar Abigail joined and headed Mr Big John to score by a head in 28.83.

DOLLY IN A THRILLER

Millridge Dolly (Droopys Sydney/ Sign On Katie) and Lilywhite Queen both won good prizes in recent weeks and the pair had a great buckle in the fifth race with little separating them throughout.

Munster Juvenile winner Lilywhite Queen displayed the best early dash to lead the field around the turn but Millridge Dolly, fresh from her Gold Collar victory, was hot on her heels.

Joining Lilywhite Queen down the back straight, the pair went nose to nose throughout. Lilywhite Queen had the inside line around the last two bends and seemed the more likely to prevail but Donie O’Mahoney’s Millridge Dolly is clearly loving life at present and she dug deep to claim a short head victory in 28.69.

NO LUCK NEEDED FOR GALLANT LADY

On a night of tight finishes, A Lucky Lady came out on top in another, just getting the better of As I Was in the ninth race.

Jerry Melia’s A Lucky Lady was always prominent although she came under serious pressure at the third turn with As I Was making what seemed likely to be a decisive move.

A Lucky Lady was nothing if not gutsy, however. Staying on well, she rallied to see off her rival by a head in 28.80.

TEENA WINS OPENER

Teena was a narrow winner if the opening race when leading early to contain the late charge of Nushkas Millie.

James Light’s Teena slipped the field on the turn as Foggy Bottom found traffic but needed every inch of her back straight advantage. The daughter of Droopys Sydney and Some Ginger held on to score by a half length in 28.94.

BIG MAC RECOVERS TO SCORE

The Thomas Buggy trained Kilgraney Mac displayed fine pace to win the third race, despite being forced to check up quite noticeably at the third turn.

Mary Buggy’s son of Ballymac Best and Kilgraney June got going again and he flew up the home straight to score by two lengths from Elite Crystal in 29.17.