QUALITY FROM KILBANNON AS HONEY GOES QUICKEST IN GALWAY A3

Peter Farrell

The second round heats of the €4,000 to the winner Galway A3 525 may have been the main attraction to Galway Greyhound Stadium last night, however, it was the performance of Kilbannon Psycho that stole the show as Owen McDonagh’s charge posted an incredible 28.46 .20s.

Running in race six, Kilbannon Psycho is something of a specialist around Galway with all eight career wins prior to last night coming at the Connacht venue. Sent to traps the even money favourite to land a ninth victory, the talented daughter of Droopys Jet and Droopys Breeze was to make light work of her A0/A1 contest with a smashing performance for Owen and John McDonagh. Bolting from trap two, Kilbannon Psycho showed the superior gears early on to take ownership of the rail and round the opening bends with clear daylight. From here, it was all one-way traffic for Kilbannon Psycho as drew clear in the latter stages to come home six and a half lengths too strong for Coolavanny Palm in second. The time was a fantastic 28.46 .20s.

HONEY QUICKEST IN GALWAY A3

Headford Honey set the standard in the opening round of the Galway A3 525 last weekend and she continued her good form as she landed her second round heat in fine style.

Owned by Seamus Leahy, Headford Honey flashed from traps to clock 28.78 last weekend and she was once again swiftly into stride from the red jacket to take the field into the opening corner. Briefly headed rounding the second turn by Milestone Hestia, who had run a terrific bend, Headford Honey quickly took back control midway down the straight and it was here where she began to turn the screw. Staying on well on the run for home, the daughter of Tyrur Big Mike and Headford Fantasy was three and three parts of a length too strong for Glengar Manus as the clock returned a smart 29.06 .20s.

HEAT WATCH

In the opening heat of the night, there was a shock on the cards as Sues Posh finished at speed to land the spoils. Owned by Johnny Burke, the 4/1 shot didn't come away too fluently from trap two but she picked off both Tromora Ange and Cree Sydney in the closing stages to cross the line with just a head in hand. A flying finish by the daughter of Cable Bay and Millbank Posh, the time was 29.53 .20s.

The favourites got back on track in heat two as Pats Best Girl made it back-to-back wins for Patrick O’Loughlin. A 6/4 chance at the off, Pats Best Girl posted a smart 29.27 in the opening round and although forced to play second fiddle to Menmal Prince for the majority of last night’s contest, the daughter of Azza Azza Azza and Maldini's Fancy looked a potent threat throughout and she wasn’t to be denied. Taking charge in the closing stages, Pats Best Girl stormed past Menmal Prince to record a three parts of a length victory in a time of 29.26 .20s. Incidentally, that win sealed a double on the night for Patrick O’Loughlin as Come On Charlie also finished strongly to seal a neck victory in race five. The time for the 2/1 shot was a good 29.45 .20s.

Heat three was a very close affair with both Jaguar Gerry and Drombeg Ten unable to be split in what resulted in a dead-heat. Bidding to maintain an unbeaten record, Jaguar Gerry, trained by Matthew Harte, took another flier from trap two and he set a fine gallop into the back straight. However, several greyhounds were displaying big speed in behind and it was Drombeg Ten, owned by Evan McAuliffe, who made up eye-catching ground to soar home and call the judge into action. Nothing to separate both Jaguar Gerry and Drombeg Ten at the winning line, a dead-heat was called with Ballygarry Ruby just a neck further back in third. A very exciting affair, the time was 29.34 .20s.

IN OTHER RACES

Elsewhere on the card there was a brilliant display from Some Boy Whack in race two. Owned by Francine Jestin, the 3/1 chance was searching for a first win since September of last year but he took no prisoners on this occasion with a comprehensive victory from trap three. Breaking smartly, the son of Sir Paddy and Rylane Dubh set a sizzling gallop throughout and he proved a class above his rivals in coming home five lengths clear of Lingrawn Angie in second. The time was 29.18 .20s.

Five Alley Crakl continues to be a terrific servant for Paul Hogan and he recorded a brilliant seventeenth career victory in race four last night. A 9/4 chance at the off, Five Alley Crakl didn’t come away too well from trap two as Crokers Samba set a frantic gallop at the head of proceedings. However, edging closer at the midway point, the son of Skywalker Puma and Maldini Pops stepped up his efforts in the closing stages to fly home and seal a half length victory. The time was 29.12 .20s.