SWEEPSTAKE ACTION DOMINATES SUNDAY CARD AT CLONMEL

Peter Farrell

Sweepstake action was the order of play at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium on Sunday night and the standout performance on the night came from Bouncing Lad in the A1/A2 525.

Trained by Pat O’Connell for the Bouncing-Lad-Syndicate, Bouncing Lad prevailed in his last outing at Clonmel in 29.00 but was to go much quicker in the opening semi final of the Clonmel Track Members A1/A2 525. Sent off as a 2/1 shot, the son of Droopys Buick and Newinn Winx came away racing from orange and once in front, he was never going to be caught. Drawing clear of his rivals down the back, Bouncing Lad relished every yard of the trip to cross the line with seven lengths in hand over Keplar Khufu in second. The time was 28.76 .10s.

The second semi final was also landed in good style by Liam Peacock’s Bogger Rambo. The 6/4 favourite in the contest, this greyhound is really starting to find his feet and he too was seeking back-to-back wins after an impressive 28.86 clock last time out. Running from trap two, the son of Skywalker Logan and Bogger Sunny broke well but was headed early doors by Point Of Contact in five. Just one length between them down the back, Bogger Rambo cranked it up a notch at the penultimate and raced clear in the closing stages to win one and a half lengths. The time was a swift 28.81 .10s.

KILLEE TOWN NOVICE ACTION

After some smart performances in the opening round, the semi finals of the Killee Town ON2/3 525 were the main attraction to Clonmel on Sunday and both semis produced shock results.

In the opening semi final, it was Cooneen Mazl who emerged victorious for Joseph O’Donnell. A 2/1 shot at the off, this was a very messy affair for those in behind but not for the winner as she shot clear from trap three early on. Setting a strong gallop thereafter, the daughter of Skywalker Logan and Cooneen Izzy crossed the line with five lengths to spare, in a time of 28.92 .10s.

In the second semi final, it was 6/1 chance Darras Prince who held on gamely to score for Paraic and Marie Campion. Running from trap one, the young February whelp took an absolute flier from trap one to lead comfortably early on. Holding a three length advantage down the back, Painters Best showed big speed to move second but he was unable to fully bridge the gap as Darras Prince crossed the line with a head advantage. The time was 29.40 .10s.

BEST OF THE REST

In the two semi finals of the A5/A6 stake, Lillys Pearl went best of all as the David Flanagan-trained bitch won for the third time in her career. Owned by N-4-Ten-Syndicate, the well-bred daughter of Droopys Sydney and String Of Pearls sat third early on but showed the superior gears from bends two to three to narrowly take control. Galloping clear thereafter, the striped jacketed runner crossed the line three lengths clear of Palace Hill in second. The time was 29.00 .10s.

The fastest return in the A3/A4 stake came in the shape of Daring Bowie for Michael Meade and joint owners, Stephanie Maguire and Peter Woods. The 6/4 joint favourite, Daring Bowie was chasing a brilliant 16th career win and he shot out of trap five to lead early doors. From here, it proved a straightforward task for the son of Ballymac Best and Libbys Pet as he crossed over five and a half lengths clear of Deelish Ranger in second. The time was 28.97 .10s.