QUALITY FARE AT THURLES AS RANGER GOES FASTEST

QUALITY FARE AT THURLES AS RANGER GOES FASTEST

Peter Farrell

Thurles Greyhound Stadium hosted a ten-race card last night and there were several fine performances as Group Ranger recorded the quickest time of the night over the standard trip.

Owned by David Hanley, Group Ranger went to traps as a 5/2 shot in his attempt for back-to-back wins and he was to produce a big finish to land his A2 contest. A winner over further last time out, Group Ranger didn’t come away too fluently from trap two and he was forced to nestle in midfield early on as Knockalton Conor dictated the pace. However, showing big speed down the back straight was Group Ranger and the son of Ballymac Best and Oakview Brae took control rounding the bottom two bends. It was a routine night’s work thereafter for the classy brindle as he powered up the home straight to record a two and a half length victory over Knockalton Conor in second. The time was a smart 29.18 .30s.

IMPRESSIVE MAGPIE WINS ON DEBUT

The card got off to a good start in race one as Errill Magpie built on his impressive sales trial last weekend to run out a brilliant winner for Tommy Morrissey.

A member of what looks a very promising litter, Errill Magpie went to traps the 6/4 joint favourite for success and he quickly made his intentions clear when leading early on from trap two. The son of Premier Fantasy and Geelo Lu Lu set a strong gallop down the back straight and in truth, the chasing pack were unable to land a blow on November puppy as he motored into the penultimate turn with a clear advantage. Maintaining a powerful gallop all the way to the winning line, Errill Magpie had six and a half lengths to spare over Moneygall Aidan crossing the line. The time was 29.42 .30s.

IN OTHER RACES

In race four, Foxrock Callum (Candlelight King - Swift Inny) justified his 5/4 price tag as he ran to a comfortable victory for Brian Bowe. Rocketing from trap three to record a sensational 1.58 sectional, Foxrock Callum was always in control of the contest and he set a smart gallop throughout to come home five lengths clear of On The Wildside in second. The time was 29.54 .30s.

Race six reverted back to the two-bend trip as Confused Fitzy made it two wins on the spin for Gerry Manley.A recent winner in 19.02 at Limerick, Confused Fitzy is clearly in fine fettle and the 2/1 chance showed the better of the early gears to take control of the opening exchanges from trap two. Taking a length advantage into the opener from Kilvil Robert in second, the son of Confident Rankin and Confused Breda stuck to his task well in the closing stages to cross the line two lengths better off. The time was a fast 17.98 .10s.

Cooleagh Sonic led early on in race seven but it was Stage Bobtheboss who was to deliver a late flurry for owner Ann Hoban. Well out of contention early on from trap one, Stage Bobtheboss overcame a six length deficit as he made rapid progress between the bottom two bends to slice through several rivals in the dying strides. A brilliant performance from the son of Droopys Roddick and On Stage Leah, the time was a smart 29.34 .30s.

In the concluding race of the night, Andrew Murray got on the scoresheet as Gortkelly Mona (Dorotas Woo Hoo - Ballintee Babe) produced a big finish over the extended 570-yard trip. A 2/1 market chance, Gortkelly Mona served up a ding-dong buckle with Neon Alex for the majority of the contest before showing superior stamina to land the spoils. Just half a length in it at the winning line, the time was 31.75 .30s.