FAST TIMES FLOW AS CYRIL SETS CLONMEL STANDARD

Peter Farrell

There was a nine-race card at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium on Friday night and the action produced a series of terrific performances, with several trackers dipping well under the 29-second barrier.

Indeed, it didn’t take long for the quality to shine through as the curtain-raiser produced a fantastic debut performance from Kinzal Pat. Owned by Sean O’Hanlon, the March whelp was stepping straight into graded company and looked more than comfortable in running out a wide-margin winner. Drawn in three, the son of Ballymac Cashout – Arimount Soft was a 2/1 chance at the off and he broke smartly to immediately assert. In doing so, he motored into the back straight with clear daylight to spare and posted a rapid 16.16 sectional to the third bend. Staying on stoutly thereafter, it was all one-way traffic for ‘Pat’ as he flew home to stop the clock in a brilliant 28.66. An exceptional debut from Kinzal Pat, who looks a youngster with a bright future ahead.

In the second race, there was another powerful performance as Kerryroad Bobby shed his maiden tag for Kevin McLean and the Kerryroad-Racing-Syndicate. Installed as the 2/5 favourite, the son of Ballymac Cashout – Kiss An Agent grabbed the bull by the horns early on with a slick exit from trap one to lead. In doing so, ‘Bobby’ established a three-length advantage down the back straight, but this only increased in the closing stages as the blue powered clear to record a comprehensive five-and-a-half-length success over Minor Queen in second. The time was a rapid 28.58.

The quickest time of the night was secured by Slaneyside Cyril in race seven as Derek Kehoe’s runner sealed an impressive fifteenth career victory. A 3/1 chance, ‘Cyril’ is the ultimate professional and he was at his brilliant best on this occasion, breaking best of all from trap three to immediately assert. In doing so, the son of McInerney – Slaneyside Roo proved a tough nut to crack throughout and, despite the best efforts of his rivals, stayed on strongly up the Clonmel hill to emerge a three-and-a-half-length winner over Mustang Havoc in second. The time was a brilliant 28.41, comfortably the quickest return on the night.

In the concluding race, Fagans Bianco stayed on best of all to record a first career victory for Larry Kearns. Hollyhill Rapid set a blistering gallop in this contest and was comfortably in charge at the halfway mark, but ‘Bianco’ wasn’t to be deterred. The son of Head Bound – Fagans Newinn began to reel in the leader in the closing stages before producing a powerful late surge to get his head in front where it mattered most. The winning margin was just a head, with the 4/1 chance stopping the clock in 28.88.

CAMPION DOUBLE

The 29-second barrier took another hammering in race four as Boozed Mags (King Sheeran – Hollyhill Debbie) recorded a fourth career success for Paraic Campion and Garry Pepper. A 7/2 chance, ‘Mags’ showed superior early speed from trap six and swept around the opening bend to avoid traffic and establish a three-length lead over Supa Henry in second. The latter closed the gap at the halfway mark, however, ‘Mags’ upped the ante around the bottom two bends to draw clear once again, ultimately crossing the line four-and-a-half lengths to the good. The time was a smart 28.78.

Indeed, Paraic Campion was to strike again in the penultimate race as Kevinsford Aldo sealed a first victory since August for owner Peadar Kinane. Donning the blue jacket, the 2/1 chance had to bide his time in this contest as he tracked Virgil Tibbs for much of the journey. However, once afforded daylight entering the home straight, the son of Ballymac Cashout – Kevinsfort Tiger produced a powerful finish up the Clonmel hill to get the nod by a head over Virgil Tibbs on the line. The time was 28.78, identical to that of kennel companion Boozed Mags.