DONNACHA AND ECO LAND VALUABLE LIFFORD SEMIS

Peter Farrell

The semi-finals of the €4,000-to-the-winner Northwest Greyhound Supplies A4/A5 525 at Lifford on Saturday night proved closely-matched affairs, but both fancied runners ultimately prevailed.

Those who followed the preview of the semi-finals would have pocketed a handsome 4/1 double, with Tetra Eco and Lemon Donnacha both landing their respective contests, setting up an open final in six days’ time, one that will be top-heavy in the stamina department.

It was the Declan Crossan-trained Lemon Donnacha (Signet Ace - Foyle Lucy) who went narrowly quickest on the clock and he was sent off at odds of 2/1 alongside both Kilara Charli and Old Fort Jingo. At trap rise, Old Fort Jingo and Meenagh Manila broke best of all, however Kilara Charli was to show impressive early speed on the inside, recovering from an unusual tardy start to rail tightly and take control. In doing so, the Dessie Kerrigan-trained runner opened up a two-length advantage over the improving Lemon Donnacha, but there was an air of inevitability surrounding the result given the latter’s stamina. Closing all the while, Kilara Charli was running on empty up the Lifford hill and he was reeled in by ‘Donnacha’, who crossed the line one and a quarter lengths clear. Kilara Charli claimed second and will be the one to beat in my eyes next weekend, while Laoises Pet also finished at speed to claim the final qualifying spot. The time was 29.43.

In the opening semi-final, Tetra Eco justified his billing as an eye-catcher in defeat last time out with a polished performance for owner David O’Neill.

Sent off as the 6/4 second favourite behind Dreenan Bella (5/4), Tetra Eco completely fluffed his lines at trap rise before showing big early speed to outpace the initial leader, Alien Shimmer. In doing so, the son of Dorotas Wildcat - Miss Mini Moll opened up a two-length advantage, however he still had plenty on his plate with Gamble Frank and, in particular, False Rumour showing marked improvement down the back straight to close the gap. With the race very much up in the air on the run for home, Tetra Eco found a second wind as he straightened up for the line and he comfortably held False Rumour by one and a quarter lengths. The final qualifying spot was claimed by Dreenan Bella, who just edged out Gamble Frank in the final stride. The time was 29.46.