BIG DEBUT FROM HANNOVER PHANTOM

Peter Farrell

It was an all-graded affair at Galway greyhound stadium last night with eleven races down for decision and it was Hannover Phantom who stole the headlines after a brilliant debut from the August 20’ puppy.

Owned by Leeanne Fleming, Hannover Phantom had two very impressive qualifying clocks of 19.16 and 29.35 respectively prior to last night’s ON2/3 525 and understandably, he was installed as a 1/2 chance to land the spoils. Running from trap three, the son of Slippery Robert and Be Slow Dor didn't break too well from white and as a result, he found himself with plenty of work to do as Annadown King headed proceedings early on. However, after showing lovely speed down the far side to improve into second place, Hannover Phantom stepped it up a notch rounding the bottom two bends and he flew up the home straight to storm past Annadown King and seal victory. A two and a half length victor crossing the line, the time for Hannover Phantom was a slick 29.00 .20s and this was a very eye-catching performance from a puppy whose stock is on the rise.

CROAGHILL DOUBLE

Elsewhere on the card, there was a double for the kennel of John McDonagh as both Croaghill Blake and Croaghill Doris crossed in front.

The first of the runners to secure victory was Croaghill Blake in race four, a 350-yard event. Owned by Patrick McDonagh, Croaghill Blake was installed the 4/6 favourite and he duly made every post a winner to make it seven career wins. Breaking quickly from five, the son of Laughil Blake and Croaghill Girl took control from the outset and he maintained a strong gallop throughout to cross the line with three and a half lengths in hand over Killanin Vic in second. The time was 19.61 .10s.

The double was completed shortly after in race seven as Croaghill Doris claimed a dead-heat victory along with Kentucky. A 3/1 chance at the off, Croaghill Doris found herself chasing Kentucky for the majority of the contest, however, the black jacketed runner came with a late flurry to cross the line in tandem with Tom Burke’s runner. Nothing separating the two greyhounds, the time was 29.56 .20s.

MOLLROSE DOUBLE

Another kennel who notched a double on the night was that of Sean Daly as litter comrades, Mollrose Hollie and Mollrose King both notched victories.

The first of the litter double winners came in race two as Mollrose Hollie delivered a late flourish to chin Blaze Hero on the line. Breaking smartly from six, Mollrose Hollie held a slender advantage early on before Blaze Hero took charge. However, the daughter of Candlelight King and Mollrose Queen stuck to her task well and she delivered a perfectly timed finish to take control in the dying strides and seal a third career win. A neck between runners crossing the line, the time for the 5/2 shot was 29.67 .20s.

The double for Daly was completed in race eleven as Mollrose King came from well off the pace to record a sixth career victory. Running from trap three, the black was slowly into stride and occupied the rear placings entering the opening corner. However, making some good progress down the back straight, Mollrose King really motored around the bottom two bends to take charge entering the home straight. Staying on strongly thereafter, he was two lengths too strong for Caislean Roddick at the winning line as the clock returned 29.92 .20s.

JIM BREAKS 29

Aside from Hannover Phantom earlier, the only other greyhound to dip under 29-seconds in terms of calculated times was Ballygraigue Jim in race nine.

Jointly owned by Thomas and Charlie Bourke, Ballygraigue Jim was bidding for back-to-back wins and he was installed as a 2/1 shot to do so from trap two. Flashing from traps, the son of Silverhill Shay and Newlawn Minnie showed a nice turn of early speed and he held all the aces rounding the opening turn. Extending his lead down the back straight, Ballygraigue Jim never gave supporters a moment's worry as he maintained a powerful gallop to cross the line almost four lengths clear of Hyde Park in second. The time was a fast 29.02 .20s.