TAYLOR AND MONTANA LAND THE FINALS AS BRIDIE ALSO IMPRESSES ON DEBUT

Peter Farrell

While there were two sweepstake finals down for decision at Limerick Greyhound Stadium last night as well as the second round heats of the Talking Dogs 600, there was also some very eye-catching performances, none more so than in the opening race of the night were Glengar Bridie made an incredible winning debut.

Owned by Pauline Buckley, Glengar Bridie came into this ON2/3 525 contest with three modest qualifying efforts but it's fair to say that we will be hearing plenty from this lady over the coming months based on her debut display. Running from trap five, the 4/7 shot was spring-like from boxes as she immediately bolted to the rail to open an already unassailable lead rounding the opener. A little trouble in behind saw Glengar Bridie shoot into a ten length lead midway down the back straight and the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Nice Mystery extended her advantage throughout as she romped to a distance victory over her rivals. The time was an exceptional 28.41.

EMPHATIC TAYLOR LANDS ON3 UNRACED

The first of the finals down for decision came in race five as the Limerick ON3 525 went the way of the favourite, Glideaway Taylor.

Owned by Thomas O’Donohue, Glideaway Taylor was a facile winner of his semi final last weekend as he clocked a swift 29.03 and as such, he was installed as the warm even money favourite to make it back-to-back wins. Running from trap two, the son of Newinn Taylor and Glideaway Magic didn’t get everything his own way as he broke poorly to sit fourth early doors. However, showing steady improvement around the opener, he built up ahead of steam midway down the back before storming to the front at the penultimate corner. Drawing clear thereafter, Glideaway Taylor proved a class above the rest in the closing stages as he stayed on strongly to a seven and a half length victory, stopping the clock in 29.01.

MONTANA BOUNCES BACK TO LAND A2

The second of the finals on the night was landed by 5/2 shot Sporting Montana for Jack Kennelly and the Trippol-Syndicate.

Despite tasting defeat in last week’s semi final at the hands of Canya Dream, Sporting Montana wasn’t to make the same mistake twice as he ran out a clear winner and claim the €680 on offer. It was Leamaneigh Molie who showed first from trap four and she disputed the early lead with Canya Dream in one. Meanwhile, Sporting Montana was a close third and there was little to separate the trio heading down the back straight. However, Sporting Montana crucially was on the outside and this proved vital as he swept the penultimate corner to take a clear lead. From here, the son of Ballymac Best and Sporting Chick stuck to his task well to cross the line with four and a half lengths in hand of Bee In Court in second. The time was 28.90.

ROSA QUICKEST IN TALKING DOGS A3/A4 600

Elsewhere on the card, the three second round heats of the Talking Dogs A3/A4 600 got underway and it was Mellon Rosa who went quickest.

Owned by Pat and Mary Conway, Mellon Rosa was a 6/1 outsider at the off but he was quickest into stride wearing the red jacket to take a slender advantage into the opener. Just one length ahead down the back straight, the son of Good News and Anhid Classic displayed all of his gameness in holding off Coolavanny Bliss to win by a convincing three lengths crossing the line. The time was 32.99.

The other two heats were won in identical time and the opening heat was landed by Hyde Park, who avenged his second place finish one week prior. Owned by Mark Geraghty and Marie McDonnell, Hyde Park was the 7/4 favourite as the hare approached and from a level break, he disputed with Beaming Becca on the run to the bend. Holding the crucial inside line, the son of Laughil Blake and Brides Honey excelled down the back to take a three length lead and although challenged again in the closing stages, Hyde Park was half a length better off than Beaming Becca crossing the line. The time was 33.07.

Heat two was landed by Millrose Brandy, who made it back-to-back victories in the competition. Owned by Ger Cremin, the striking fawn and white implemented similar tactics to last week as he again bolted clear from trap three. Holding a comfortable lead down the back, the son of Ballymac Matt and Laughil Linda, who was having his 82nd start, was never under serious pressure as he sauntered to a two and a half length win over Unknown Bonnie in second. The time was 33.07.

IN OTHER RACES

In race four, Old Bill dipped well under the 29-second barrier as he took control late on to win his A1 contest. Owned by Bernadette Hogan, Old Bill was moderately away from trap three but he showed good courage to maneuver through runners and go second down the back. Excess Travel held a three length lead at this point and looked a likely winner until the home straight, where Old Bill delivered his charge. Storming to the front in the final 25 yards, the son of Droopys Sydney and Starry Display crossed the line with three parts of a length in hand, in a time of 28.71.

In the concluding race of the night, Killahan Sydney got back to winning ways for Kenny Glen and Pat Buckley. Sent off the 7/4 joint favourite along with Oakfront Cadet, Killahan Sydney was quick away from six and he showed the best of the early gears to turn in front. Holding a three length lead down the back, this looked a straightforward assignment for the talented son of Droopys Sydney and Pennylane Lucky. However, Oakfront Cadet, who was some ten lengths adrift at one point, had made up monstrous ground and challenged the leader in the closing stages. Killahan Sydney had just enough in hand in the final yards, however, and he crossed the line half a length clear, in a time of 32.62.