EAZY RAZZLE AND JACKTAVERN BOLT STAR IN OPENING ROUND OF THE BAR ONE RACING IRISH GREYHOUND LAURELS

Barry Drake

A winner of the Munster Oaks in Waterford last Saturday night, Eazy Razzle went joint quickest in Curraheen Park as the opening round of the Bar One Racing Irish Greyhound Laurels got off to a flying start in front of a packed house at Curraheen Park.

Producing one of her better breaks along the outside of the track, the Johnny Linehan-trained star went around the opening turns alongside Glory Baz. The 6-4 second favourite is a powerful finisher and she came from a length and a half behind the early leader at the second last bend, to win by a going away two and a half lengths, in 28.07. It was a superb performance from the super-talented lady who is owned by Barry Rocks.

SIX ON THE BOUNCE IN A FLYING 28.07

Also clocking 28.07 was Jacktavern Bolt for trainer Graham Holland and owners the Pillar Syndicate. A winner of the A1 Kasko Derby around course and distance last week, the 9-4 second choice of the punters put on another stunning performance to make it six straight wins in Cork. Move To Soon got off to a dream start along the rails, but the winner was soon on terms and he showed incredible back straight pace to lead. Keeping on well on the turns for home, Jacktavern Bolt beat Move To Soon, by three-quarters of a length, in 28.07.

ALL ONE WAY TRAFFIC UP FRONT
It was all about Radical Hero in race number seven. Trained by Thomas O'Donovan for Gerard Hutton, the 4-6 favourite produced a smart start and once he slipped around in front, he quickly put the race to bed. A three-and-a-half length success over Kilcolgan Zeus, in 28.12.

A HUGE RUN FROM GLENGAR MARTHA
Droopys Beglin made a lot of the running in the fourth heat, but it was Glengar Martha who came out on top to win for trainer Pat Buckley and owner William Wood. The 3-1 winner sat second for most of the journey and the classy performer was that bit stronger on the home straight, delivering a superb performance to beat the early-paced Droopys Beglin, by a length, in 28.13.

SPRINT CUP CHAMPION
A winner of the recent Dundalk Irish Sprint Cup, Carrick Aldo showed all of his class and pace to win the closing heat for trainer David Murray and owner Thomas Glynn. The even-money favourite didn't get off to a great start, but he exploded into the opening turn to join Droopys Rocker up front. Soon in pole position, he quickened clear down the back and went on to post a fantastic 28.15, three lengths clear of the Droopys runner at the line.

TOP PERFORMANCE
One of the performances of the night came from the in-form Halo, for trainer Matthew Harte and owners Basil Holian and Bernadette Holian. Following up on a recent impressive display at Shelbourne Park, the 5-4 favourite produced his best start to win the all-important early lead. Rural Taylor was on his heels throughout, but the impressive winner had all the answers, staying on powerfully to score by a length, in 28.15.

IN OTHER RACES
Racing got underway with a smart performance from Liam Peacock's Bogger Rambo. The 3-1 shot displayed plenty of all-round pace, making the most of the rails pitch to beat Clona Rocko, by a length and a half, in 28.28.
Boylesports Gift, trained by Paul Hennessy for John Boyle, put on a fantastic finish to run down Ballymun Boy in the second heat. A couple of lengths to make up in fourth at the second last bend, the 6-1 outsider pulled out all the stops to beat the favourite, by three quarters of a length, in 28.46.
Grouchos Vic (4-1) overcame trouble in running to win the third heat for David Carroll and Luke O'Connell. A really likeable performance as things didn't go right for the improving winner who battled bravely to beat Ballymac Reymie, by half a length, in 28.58.
In the sixth of the night, Bouncing Lad recorded back-to-back winning performances. Trained by Pat O'Connell for owners the Bouncing Lad Syndicate, the 6-1 shot was in the mix throughout and he kept finding to deny Burgess Supreme and Swords Rex. A 28.45 winning performance.
In the following heat, High Trend made the most of the inside line to win for trainer Graham Holland and owners the R-T-And-C-Syndicate. The even-money joint favourite made all the running to score, in 28.37.
Millridge Levi, for Donal O'Mahony, showed his class when overcoming a wide draw in race number 10. A quarter-finalist in the Irish Greyhound Derby, the 6-1 shot delivered a 28.28 winning performance, running down the front running Peroni Eoiny in the last stride to get the verdict by the shortest of margins.

IT was a great night all round and Kilshannig GAA also added to the occasion as they brought a huge crowd to enjoy a fantastic night. We wish them success going forward and we hope to see them back in Curraheen Park soon.