KING QUICKEST IN BORNA KENNELS SECOND ROUND ACTION

Peter Farrell

The second round heats of the €2,000 to the winner Borna Kennels A4 525 took place at Thurles Greyhound Stadium last night and it was Epic King who went quickest of all in heat three as made every yard of the running to make it back-to-back wins in the stake.

Owned by the Knockedofflaiden-Syndicate and trained by Michael Donnelly, Epic King won his opening round assignment by a head last weekend but he made doubly sure this time around with a rapid exit from trap three. The 4/5 shot pinged the lids to take control early and he took a two length lead into the back from Cloneen Valerie in second. From here, the son of Belles Direction and Priceless Dancer wasn’t to be denied as he stayed on stoutly up front to cross the line with a healthy four and a half length victory. The time was 29.30 .20s.

HEAT WATCH

Next best in terms of the clock came in heat four as Kilvil Robert also maintained his unbeaten run in the stake as he raced to an easy victory, recording a hat-trick of wins in the process. Owned by the Kilvil-Syndicate, the son of Ballymac Best went off the even money favourite and he took command from the outset with a swift exit from trap one. Taking a four length lead into the back, it proved a straightforward night’s work thereafter for Kilvil Robert as he raced to a three length win over Montore Brian, who finished well to grab second. The time was 29.34 .20s.

Kathleen Pomfret is no stranger to producing top greyhounds and she sent out Freedom Sonia to make it back-to-back wins in the opening heat of the night. Sent to traps a 2/1 shot, Freedom Sonia was poorly into stride from trap three and she occupied the rear of the field entering the first bend. However, the race opened up down the back and the daughter of Magical Bale didn’t need a second invitation. Quickly asserting up front, Freedom Sonia was strong in the closing stages of the event and she crossed the line with six lengths in hand over nearest rival, One For Billy, in second. The time was 29.46 .20s.

The remaining heat was landed by Kylenoe Maid, who made amends on her fourth place finish last time out. Owned by Patsy Meaney and Edward Fogarty, Kylenoe Maid sat only fourth early on after a poor start from four and she still had plenty of work on her plate despite steady improvement down the back straight. Sitting third rounding the bottom two bends, the daughter of Pat C Sabbath and Holiday Madge stepped it up in the closing stages and she stormed to the front to secure a one and a half length victory over Kind Cian in second. The time was 29.43 .20s.