DOUBLES FOR MULLINS & FAHY AS DUDE IMPRESSES AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

There were some fine performances on display at Galway Greyhound Stadium last night and the highlight on the card were doubles for the kennels of both Albert Mullins and Martin Fahy.

The quickest of the Martin Fahy-trained runners to pass the post was Fast Fit Felix in race six as he stayed on gamely to double his career tally. Heading to traps the 6/4 favourite, the John Quinn-owned runner was quickly into stride wearing the black jacket and after setting a powerful gallop throughout, the heavyweight son of Dorotas Wildcat and Fast Fit Maeve stayed on well to score by one and a half lengths from Springlake Lad in second. The time was 29.24 .20s.

Prior to that victory, Martin Fahy sent out Kilmessan Hawk (Ballymac Best - Martinstown Hawk) to seal a first career win. Only an April whelp, the Hughie Kelehan-owned brindle took charge from the off as he justified his 5/4 favouritism in good style to come home five lengths clear of Pierview Dubh in second. The time was 29.54 .20s.

MULLINS DOUBLE

The first of the Albert Mullins’ runners to come home in front came in the opening race of the night and it was Fantasy Saloon who got the ball rolling. A 2/1 market chance, the son of Ballybough Mike and Fantasy Lane was led early on but taking charge off the second turn, he proved too strong for his rivals in coming home two and a half lengths clear of Ticking Along in second. The time was 29.91 .20s.

The double was completed in race nine as Burren Solana ran to a virtual solo. An even money market chance, the daughter of Droopys Buick and Riverside Annie took charge off the second bend and she proceeded to draw clear of her rivals on route to an eight length victory. The time was a smart 29.21 .20s.

BRILLIANT DUDE

Elsewhere on the card, the fastest return of the night came in the concluding race as Droopys Dude (Laughil Blake - Droopys Zero) overturned the 4/5 favourite, Magical Poppy.

Trained by Beatrice Steiner for the Golden-Hare syndicate, Droopys Dude is a serious greyhound when on-song and he was at his very best last night in making every yard of the running. Fastest into stride wearing the striped jacket, Droopys Dude set a frantic gallop throughout and he stuck to his task brilliantly in the closing stages to see off Magical Poppy by a mere length. The time for the 6/4 chance was a super-fast 28.86 .20s.

QUEEN DIPS UNDER 29

Another greyhound to dip under the 29-second threshold on the night was the Paul Burke-trained Bumblebee Queen as she sealed an excellent eighth career win.

Owned by Paddy Burke, Bumblebee Queen was without a victory since June of last year but heading to traps a 2/1 chance, she was to prove a class above her rivals in making all. Well away from trap one, the daughter of Droopys Jet and Droopys Breeze was in charge from an early stage and she drew clear of the field to record a five and a half length victory over Drombeg Diva in second. The time was a slick 29.10 .20s.