HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL OPENING NIGHT AT LIFFORD

Peter Farrell

Lifford hosted their first race meeting since August 2019 last night and the soft-opening attracted a huge crowd which coincided with a number of top-class displays on the night.

It didn’t take long for the torch paper to be lit as in the opener, the first semi final of the Taylorstown Schooling Track ON2 350, as Robbie Be Good, stormed to victory. Owned by Dolores O’Flynn, this was a really professional display as the son of Laughil Blake and Lemon Stacey settled the contest in a matter of strides. Showing impressive acceleration to the opening bend, Robbie Be Good was never under any pressure as he raced to a three and a half length success over My Raven in second. The time was a rapid 17.56 .10f.

The second semi final was equally as impressive as the Sean Melly-owned Velvet Helsinki (Ballymac Best - Queen Adele) justified his 4/5 starting price. Running from trap two, the favourite was quickest into stride and showed brilliant early dash to lead Ardnasool Arc into the opener. The latter made a good fist of it on the run for home and gave the leader plenty to think about but Velvet Helsinki held firm to win by one length. The time was 17.54 .10f.

The two semi finals of the Old Docks A3 550 were next on the agenda in race three and it was China May who went quickest as she ran to a procession victory. Owned by Cathal Maguire, China May was led early on by Galliagh Bull but she soon took charge as she took control down the back to draw clear of the field. From here, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Mags Baby romped to a five and a quarter length win from Longrange Jack in second. The time was 30.55 .20f.

In the opening semi final, Neon Blue came out on top in what was a messy affair. Trained by Alan Byrne for Paul James, Neon Blue was well back in the opening exchanges as both Natural Bandit and Corgrigg Tobben disputed in front. Traffic ensued at the penultimate turn between the duo and this allowed Neon Blue to strike late and hold Fridays Wild by a neck. The time was 30.99 .20f.

The semi finals of the North West Greyhound Supplies S1 325 were next up in races five and six and it was Carefree Chief who blitzed his contest to record the fastest time of the night over the sprint distance. Trained by Kurtis Bain, Carefree Chief was the understandable 4/7 favourite and despite missing the kick, he showed blistering early gears to blow holes in his rivals to the opener. From here, it was all one-way traffic for the son of Laughil Blake and Carefree Grace as he galloped to a three and a quarter length victory. The time was 17.49.

In the second semi, Toolbox Talk made light work of his rivals for Cathal McGhee. Running from four, the son of Ardnasool Jet and Finulagh Limini disputed early with Maxlite but quickly pulled clear on the run to the opening bend. Tracking expertly around the bottom turn, Toolbox Talk stayed on stoutly up the home straight and he was one and a quarter lengths better off crossing the line with Maxlite in second. The time was 17.73.

The card was completed with the two semi finals of the Len McKinney A1 525 and it was Stephen Radcliffe-owned Deadly Thunder who went narrowly quickest. A class above the field on best form, the son of Vulturi and Ballymac Breeze broke smartly from three and he held a clear advantage upon entrance to the back straight. From here, it was a matter of how far as he drew further clear his rivals to win by nine and three parts of a length from Tahina Snow in second. The time was 28.90.

The second semi final was landed in off-the-pace style by Clonedan Flash (Makeshift - Madabout Bella). Owned by Paddy Kehoe and Enda Currie, the 6/4 chance had to work hard as Great Dale manufactured a clear lead rounding the opener. However, the wide-running style of the classy bitch was to cost her late on as Clonedan Flash railed brilliantly to storm up the straight and chin the longtime leader. One length separating the pair, the time was 28.93.