SCAN SETS STANDARD IN SHELBOURNE FEATURE

Ian Fortune

With Taylor Swift acting as the soundtrack, there were some superb performances at Shelbourne Park on Friday evening.

The semi-finals of the €5,000 This Runs Deep A2 525 were the feature in terms of money available and Highview Scan produced a massive run from an ideal draw on the fence to set the standard with a 28.33 return.

Off the pace early, the exciting fawn displayed all sorts of pace for Dolores and Gerry Merriman to take up the running on the third turn. From there she eased on to win by five lengths from warm favourite Ventry Faith.

CAROL ALWAYS IN CHARGE

Ballybough Carol also won for the fairer sex, leading from start to finish in the opening heat. Representing Murt Leahy and Pat Carroll, the daughter of Droopys Sydney went on to beat Ballygur Orla by three and a half lengths in 28.65.

LION ROARS

Lion Heart was a tremendous winner in the Retired Greyhound Trust A3 525 semis for Aidan Comerford and Marie Gilbert.

Supremely well bred son of Droopys Sydney and Susie Sapphire, he shot from trap four to dominate. Droopy Lavish did finish with a flourish to grab second but Lion Heart was in a league of his own, winning by three lengths in 28.39.

WHITMAN TOO GOOD

The other heat saw Whitman take charge down the back straight.

Whitman went on to score by seven lengths from the early pace-setter Ireland’s Eye in 28.77 for David Murray and Alan Devine.

CANTONA SHOWS HIS CLASS

There were two wonderful displays in the semis of the Go Greyhound Racing A1 NB 525.

Carrick Cantona provided David Murray with another winner, charging to the front in the closing yards to beat long-time leader Voyage Stanley. The manner in which Carrick Cantona won bodes well or the future. He would eventually win by three parts of a length in 28.60 but don’t be surprised if he goes considerably faster in the near future.

ME SON TOO SHARP

The final race on the card, the second semi-final of the A1 525 saw Getup Me Son display all sorts of early speed to shoot clear of his rivals.

It was notable how much stronger he looked on the bunny than in previous starts and he would eventually run out a ready five length winner over another bright prospect, Bisto Kid, in a rapid fastest of the night 28.31.

The winner is trained by Mark Robinson for Daniel Ornstein and it’s clear they can start planning a big campaign for their charge.