SOFIA SETS THE STANDARD IN LIAM BRUSSELS OPENER AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

The three semi-finals of the Liam Brussels Memorial A4/A5 dominated proceedings at Galway Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night, with Glengar Sofia setting the standard in impressive fashion.

Trained by Gerry Holian for the Two-Pints-Mary Syndicate, Glengar Sofia continued her rise with another commanding display. A fine winner of her previous outing in 29.36, she was expected to feature prominently in the third semi-final and was sent off the 6/4 second favourite behind Notsobadnow, who was backed into even-money favouritism.

Breaking sharply from trap two, Glengar Sofia quickly stamped her authority on the race, leading by three lengths into the back straight. Notsobadnow gave chase and momentarily closed the gap at the three-quarter mark, but Holian’s well-bred daughter of Glengar Bale and Nice Mystery proved too strong. Showing superior stamina, she powered up the Galway straight to win by four and a half lengths from Lissatouk Pearl in a fast 29.11.

MERLIN SEALS HAT-TRICK

Next best on the clock was Hollywell Merlin, who extended his fine run of form with a third consecutive victory for owner Alison Coxon.

A recent sprint stake winner at the Connacht venue, Hollywell Merlin was stepping up to the standard trip for the first time, and the extra distance played perfectly to his strengths. Drawn in six, the 2/1 chance recovered well from a sluggish start, moving into third entering the back straight. Displaying excellent pace midway through, the son of Ballymac Bolger and O Mahoney coursed around rivals at the penultimate bend to take command, before powering up the hill to defeat Charming Ciara by three and a half lengths in 29.24.

ALVA MAKES-ALL

The opening semi-final saw Alva Chase make every yard of the running for Declan and Gerard Lillis.

Handled by Declan McDonagh, Alva Chase was seeking a third win in four starts and made her intentions clear from the outset, breaking smartly from trap two to lead. The 6/4 chance carried a one-length advantage over Killaruss Jet into the back straight and, despite pressure late on, the daughter of Jaytee Taylor held firm to score by three parts of a length in 29.61.

MOANA TAKES OFF

Elsewhere on the card, it would be remiss not to overlook the blistering display of Brickhill Moana, who took off in the IRGT A1/A2 525.

Jointly owned by Albert Long and John Collins, Brickhill Moana has become something of a Galway specialist with all nine of her career victories arriving at the Connacht venue. A winner of the Derby Trial Stake back in August, she was returning from a below-par effort at Lifford last time out. Punters, however, kept faith, sending her off the 5/4 favourite to bounce back. Drawn on the inside, ‘Moana’ wasted no time asserting her dominance, rocketing from trap one to clock a sharp 3.30 sectional. The daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Twentytlittletoes fended off Heathlawn Storm in the opening exchanges before stretching three lengths clear down the back straight. From there, it was all one-way traffic as she powered relentlessly to the line, romping home by eight and a half lengths in a scintillating 28.57.