CHARBEL ANOTHER STAR IN THE MAKING FOR THE BALLYMAC TEAM

Barry Drake

BALLYMAC CHARBEL (Ballymac Cashout-Ballymac Pete) was quickest on the clock in the opening round of the €10,000 to the winner Lee Strand 550 at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium on Friday night.

Cosmic Dancer was setting the early fractions up front and the Ballymac runner looked in trouble after early crowding, however, Liam Dowling’s exciting August puppy recovered well and he showed all sorts of speed to land the spoils. Flying home, he beat Cosmic Dancer, by a length in a top class 29.44.

Music Inthe Air (Ballymac Cashout-Nocturnal), trained by Patrick Guilfoyle for the Pension Plan Syndicate, took heat six in great style.

The 6-4 shot just made the comer in front and the impressive displayed massive gears to quickly put the race to bed. Always in control, the winner came home six and a half lengths clear of Ballymac Sheff, in a fast 29.46.

Bills Harbour (Grangeview Ten-Rafas Friend) is another bright prospect and the July puppy impressed when clocking 29.54 for Battie O’Connor. Showing a nice touch of early speed, the even money favourite flew down the back straight in front. Keeping on well to score, three lengths clear of Tullig Coyote.

Crafty Moirai (Ballymac Cashout-Octane Cora) finished well to win heat number three. The September puppy, the 6-4 joint favourite, came from last to first to score. The September puppy has bundles of staying power and he was two lengths clear of Boildacabbage.

Moorstown Arwen (Tommy Shelby-Galadriel) ran out a wide margin winner of the opening heat for Joseph O’Flaherty. Out the back early, the June puppy powered down the back straight to lead and the powerful youngster pulled right away to win easily, in 29.67. Twelve lengths back to Kilcolgan Katie in second.

In heat two, Glenrock Ropy (Iconic Rory-Barnora Bella) put on a fine performance to win, in 30.30. Owned by Roy Ellis, the 3-1 winner proved four lengths too strong for Slippy Chris.