SWORDS HERO & TEMPESTADE LAND RIVERSIDE CHRISTMAS CUP SEMIS AT CLONMEL

Peter Farrell

The semi finals of the Riverside Kennels Munster Christmas Cup took centre stage at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium on Friday night and Graham Holland accounted for both semi final winners as Tempestade and Swords Hero landed their respective contests in terrific fashion.

Indeed, it has been another memorable year for the leading trainer and he will hope to put the icing on the cake by landing this event, an event that he kindly stepped in to sponsor for 2024. Swords Hero has been one of the standout performers in the Cup and he continued his assault with another accomplished victory last night as he justified his 4/5 billing. From a relatively level start, it was Swords Hero that emerged from the pack in one to show the superior early dash and lead Knockroe Fern into the back. Some traffic in behind saw an unlucky Glenhead Jack and Syds Button shuffled to the rear, while I’m An Exile, who was one of the main threats to Swords Hero, had plenty of work to do as she was a bad last racing into the back straight. Swords Hero held a two length lead over Knockroe Fern at this point and this very much became a two-dog affair as the duo went toe-to-toe approaching the penultimate turn. Stopping the third-bend sectional in an impressive 16.18, Swords Hero only got stronger as the race progressed and the son of Droopys Sydney and Rural Aloha, owned by Barbara Lowndes, upped the ante thereafter to draw clear and win by four and a half lengths in a time of 28.57. Knockroe Fern ran a blinder in second to secure second, while I’m An Exile showed brilliant battling qualities to ensure she takes her chance in the final.

TEMPESTADE BOUNCES BACK

In the opening semi final, Tempestade bounced back to winning ways for the Golden Trainer as he showed his staying power to bring up his half-dozen.

Owned by Larry Dunne, Tempestade had no answer to Knockroe Fern last time out, however, the draw was favourable in the opening semi and he went to traps as the 6/4 favourite to get back to winning ways. That said, Tempestade completely fluffed his lines at traprise and in contrast, it was Dakota Drive and Haydeezrebel that pinged out to dispute early on. The latter took charge entering the back but at this point, Tempestade slipped into a lovely pitch on the rails to chase the leader. Quickly mowing down Haydeezrebel, Tempestade posted 16.19 to the penultimate bend and from there, he got stronger as the race progressed, outlining his huge stamina attributes. Powering up the Clonmel hill thereafter, Tempestade had too much for his rivals late on as he crossed the line with four and a half lengths in hand over Dakota Drive in second. It was a further two and a half lengths back to Mustang Marydel in third. The time was 28.62.

The draw for the final of €6,000 to the winner Riverside Kennels Munster Christmas Cup was made shortly after and is as follows :

T1 - KNOCKROE FERN

T2 - I’M AN EXILE

T3 - TEMPESTADE

T4 - DAKOTA DRIVE

T5 - SWORDS HERO

T6 - MUSTANG MARYDEL