PHANTOM PRODUCES INCREDIBLE GALWAY PERFORMANCE
Peter Farrell
Galway played host to a ten-race card last night and there were no doubts about who stole the show as Hannover Phantom produced an incredible performance in the concluding race of the night for Declan McDonagh.
Owned by Leeanne Fleming, Hannover Phantom started his career like a house on fire with two smart victories at Galway and he found life difficult thereafter with defeats at both Limerick and Clonmel. However, this August 20’ whelp boasts a super engine and he justified his starting price of 1/2 last night with a stunning display for connections. Running from trap four, Hannover Phantom found space at a premium early doors as Hyde Park led the field approaching the opening corner. However, shooting up the inside at this point was Hannover Phantom and once he hit the front, it was a case of how far. Holding a three length lead down the back, the son of Slippery Robert and Be Slow Dor stepped it up at the three quarter mark and he stormed up the home straight to cross the line with eight lengths in hand over Hyde Park in second. A very telling performance from Hannover Phantom, the time was a brilliant 29.69 .20s.
MORRISSEY DOUBLE
Elsewhere on the card, there was a double for the Morrissey Family as both Errill Abbey and Toolate Shannon landed their respective events.
The first greyhound to pass the post in front came in race two as Errill Abbey landed her sprint assignment for owner Tommy Morrissey. Sent to traps a 5/2 chance, Errill Abbey came away racing from trap two and she quickly asserted to take a comfortable lead into the opening corner. Tracking well between the bottom two bends, the daughter of Kinloch Brae and Geelo Lu Lu powered up the straight thereafter to seal a two and three quarter length victory over Sports Sunday in second. The time was 19.53 .10s.
The double was completed in race nine as Toolate Shannon scored a sixth career victory to make it two victories on consecutive nights for Abigail Morrissey.
A 550-yard contest, this was to prove all one-way traffic for Toolate Shannon as she took up the running at the opening turn from the early pacesetter Burrow Busty. Stretching clear throughout, the daughter of Toolatetosell and Security proved a class above her rivals as she crossed the line just under eight lengths clear of Lissatouk Ben in second. The time was a swift 30.31 .20s.
IN OTHER RACES
Amys Jack caught the eye in race three as he landed an A5/A6 575 in terrific fashion. Only a September whelp, the Peter Russell-owned dog was sent to traps 5/4 favourite and he lived up to the support with what proved a routine success. Trained by Donal Duggan, Amys Jack was briefly led by Ausmac Hour but he soon took charge entering the back straight to draw clear of the field and score in super fashion. Staying on brilliantly over the extended trip, the son of Skywalker Rafa and Notimetotalk galloped to a six length win and the clock stopped in a brisk 31.98 .20s.
In race six, Drombeg Glory made it three wins from his last four starts with another good display for Evan McAuliffe. A daughter of Droopys Jet and MArket Glory, Drombeg Glory was sent off the 6/4 second favourite behind Errill Daithi and after leading early on from trap one, she was to prove a tough nut to crack for her chasing rivals. Holding on gamely late on from the fast-finishing Pats Best Lady, Drombeg Glory was half a length better off as the time returned 29.26 .20s.
Tuesdays Hope (Magical Bale - Bull Run Banter)certainly went in the many notebooks despite going down to defeat on his debut start but the November 20’ tracker bounced back emphatically in race seven for Gary and Damien Pepper. Trained by Stephen Murray, who is in fine form of late, Tuesdays Hope went to traps a 1/2 shot to land the spoils but he was very sluggish into stride from trap two as Bumblebee Sally showed first from six. However, despite looking to have too much ground to make up, Tuesdays Hope showed big speed at the three-quarter mark and looked a potent threat. Orbsen Jet continued to lead at this point but was a sitting duck up front as Tuesdays Hope stormed to the front in the closing stages to record a very impressive victory. One and a half lengths separating the duo, the time was a smart 29.32 .20s.
The fastest time over the standard trip came in race eight as Crokers Brandy produced another strong finish to cause a 4/1 upset for owner John Croker. An October son of Good News and Dream Queen, Crokers Brandy won on his last start at Galway and he turned handy in behind both Bumblebee Lana and Insidethehuddle rounding the opening turn. The latter took charge at this point but it was Crokers Brandy who upped the ante off the final turn to pull clear up the straight and make it back-to-back wins. A length and a half separating the duo at the line, the time was a fast 29.06 .20s.