RIVERSIDE GOES BEST IN CLONMEL

Peter Farrell

There were just the nine races down for decision at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium last night and the highlight on the card was a double for Graham Holland as both Riverside Best and Drumcrow Winx landed their contests in good style

The first of the Graham Holland runners to pass the post in front was Riverside Best, owned by Larry O’Rourke. Seeking a third career win, the April 20’ whelp was led early doors by Workforce in trap three but the classy brindle showed the superior early pace to sweep around the outside. Holding a two length lead down the back, the son of Ballymac Best and Body Clock steered a wide course throughout but he never looked like getting caught as he crossed the line two and a half lengths clear of Bogcross Amigo in second. The time for Riverside Best was a fast 28.80.

WALKOVER FOR WINX

The double was completed in the very next race as Drumcrow Winx made light work of her opposition to win with ease.

Drumcrow Winx opened her account in terrific fashion in Dundalk as she posted a swift 21.34 and expectation levels would have been high for Crawford Ruddy heading into race five last night. Fastest into stride from trap six, the March 20’ daughter of Crash and Drumcrow Jessie already held a healthy lead entering the opener and she was two lengths clear of Some Blake down the back straight. Extending her lead between the bottom two bends, Drumcrow Winx powered to the line and she was eight lengths better off than Charity Shay crossing the line. The time was a brisk 28.82.

IN OTHER RACES

The Kilsheelan Gallop A6/A7 525 was next on the agenda in race six and this too was won in fine style by Francis Burke-owned Eshadda. Only a January 21’ whelp, the daughter of Droopys Jet and Droopys Megan took no prisoners early on as she flashed from traps and Adam Dunford’s charge continued to draw clear down the back in search of a first career win. The result never in doubt, Eshadda came home seven and a half lengths too strong for nearest rival, De Councilor, in second. The time was 28.93.

The well-bred Mary The Thief landed race six for Alan Dobbs and Aaron O’Hanlon. A daughter of Farloe Blitz and Ballymac Tas, Mary The Thief broke well from three but she was swallowed up in the opening strides as Flashy Cooper took charge. Six lengths adrift down the back, Mary The Thief had plenty of work to do but she edged closer rounding the bottom two bends before delivering a late surge. Storming past Rattlefence in the closing yards, Mary The Thief crossed the line with two lengths to spare in a time of 29.16.

There was another fast finish in race eight as Glenbervie Rosy finished at speed to score a second career win for Damien O’Regan. Slowly into stride from trap three, Glenbervie Rosy trailed the field entering the opener and she looked out with the washing at this point. However, after slicing through runners down the back straight, the daughter of Ballymac Best and Tullig Bonnie produced an outstanding show of stamina to soar to the front and win by three lengths in the end. The time was 29.07.