TIME GREYHOUND NUTRITION CORK CUP OFF TO A FLYING START AS BUCKO GOES QUICKEST

Barry Drake

The opening round of the 2026 TIME Greyhound Nutrition Cork Cup took centre stage at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

Canavour Bucko set the standard when going quickest on the clock in the opening heat. Trained by Pat O'Connell for owners John and Mark Lyons, the even-money favourite delivered a powerful 28.54 winning performance to land the spoils. Tracking well around the opening corners to turn second behind Microship. The classy winner powered down the back straight, slipping into the lead along the inside of the track at the third corner, the well-fancied winner galloped strongly to the line, pulling right away to beat Microchip by five and a half lengths.

The ever-improving Let Fly Missy delivered a stunning front-running to make all the running in heat five. Clocking a sizzling 3.22 sectional, the 4-1 shot was in control throughout, making it three straight wins, in 28.69. Two and a half lengths the margin with odds on favourite Droopys Painting back in second.

In heat three, Made To Measure produced one of his better starts to slip around in front and from there, the strong running tracker was always going to take the world of catching. Trained by Patrick Norris for owner Mark Lowther, the 5-4 second favourite kept on strongly up front, holding the fast finishing Da Tapper Flynn, by a head in 28.69.

Clocking a very quick 3.22 sectional, Queen Lulu, who is trained by James Kelleher for owners the Kos Partnership Syndicate, got off the mark for the first time this year with a fine 28.84 winning performance. It was game over midway down the back, and the class winner held Clonnloch Cliste, by three lengths, in 28.84.

In heat four, Daring Diamond was another to show impressive early speed. In the ownership of James Maguire, the 2-1 shot bounced back to top form with a smashing all the way winning run. Five clear at halfway, the quick starting winner held Ballycowen Archy, by a length, in 28.82.