CHARLIE AMAZES IN CORN CUCHULAINN

Ian Fortune

Tuono Charlie was simply different class to any of his rivals in the Corn Cuchulainn at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night, posting one of the fastest times ever recorded for the 750yd trip as he brought his record over six bends to nine wins from nine starts.

Sent to traps the 4-6 favourite in the opening heat, the Sharon Hunt trained son of Good News and Farronrory Bonny shot from traps to dictate from the outset and it was little more than a procession thereafter.

Showing massive pace and maintaining a relentless gallop throughout, Paul Dyer’s star went on to emerge a ten length scorer in 41.01. Hanover Phantom came through for second with Ballyhooly Tejay a head away in third.

The winner’s time was sensational. In fact, only one greyhound has ever gone faster. On this sort of form, Tuono Charlie will take the world of beating in the stayer’s classic.

JENNY TOO GOOD

Michael Corr and the Rusty Lads Syndicate sent out Velvet Jenny to win the second heat in very similar fashion. The daughter of Droopys Sydney and Velvet Nannykate flashed from three and made every inch to see off Alien Emly by ten and a half lengths in 41.81. Hi Brid was another two lengths back in third.

HOLLY A BRAVE WINNER

Miss Mini Holly emerged on top in Heat 3 despite losing all momentum around the third and fourth turns as she was clipped from behind. There was all sorts of crowding through the remainder of the contest with Mcneill going to the front briefly between the last two bends.

He and Ocean Tesla clashed on the final turn, allowing Miss Mini Holly to go back to the front for Tommy O’Donovan. Once given another chance, the daughter of Broadstrand Bono and Miss Mini Marvel seized her opportunity, holding off a rallying Mcneill by a half length in 42.80. Coss Cashout was a short head away in third.

COMRADE LOOKS A NATURAL OVER SIX BENDS

Droopys Comrade was too strong for his rivals in Heat 4. Here Neon Lights got loose at the head of affairs but Droopys Comrade really appreciated the extra emphasis on stamina and came through in the latter stages to win for Fraser Black and Liudmila Ioannou. The powerful son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Sweet was fourth in the early yards but struck the front on the run in to emerge a comfortable three and a half length winner in 41.89. Leeloo collared Neon Lights on the line to finish second.

Undercard

BONNYLAD AT HIS VERY BEST

2023 Newcomer of the Year Whyaye Bonnylad was at his sharpest in the penultimate race on the card, making all after a typically flying start to win in a fastest of the night 28.31. Representing Robert Gleeson and owner Martin Langley, the son of Ballymac Cashout and Drumalee Premier flashed from the inside box and was never threatened thereafter.

Trinity Junior and Kirby Memorial champ Knockeen Dazzler took up the chase but neither could get back on terms. Knockeen Dazzler moved second on the third turn to sit just a length and a half behind the pace-setter but Whyaye Bonnylad kicked again at the final turn to emerge a comfortable four length winner.

HIGHVIEW WINS FINALE

On a night of tight finishes, it was fitting that the finale went right down to the wire also with Highview Splash shooting to the front before holding off Ballyhimikin Rex and Blastoff Salah in a real thriller.

Highview Splash again shot from traps before cutting for the fence. Once going to the front, the son of Pat C Sabbath and Highview Abbey looked certain to follow up his latest impressive success but he was kept honest by Ballyhimkin Rex. Trained by Gerry Merriman for Dolores Merriman, Highview Splash dug in to contain Ballyhimikin Rex and Blastpff Salah by a neck and a half length in 29.63.

MEMPHIS AN EXCITING PROSPECT

After impressing a week earlier, Phoenix Memphis produced another massive run to capture the ninth race on the card in the style of a young greyhound with a big future. Sent to traps the 7-4 favourite, the son of Droopys Sydney and Swift Jezebel certainly understood the brief.

Trained by Ian Reilly for the Keogh Cunningham Reilly Syndicate, Phoenix Memphis flashed from the inside box to dominate. He would eventually go on to se off Noirs Ben by five lengths in a quick 28.39.

CASH IS ONE FOR THE FUTURE

Cheque For Cash looks a really bright prospect for Karol Ramsbottom and the Cash Back Syndicate. The talented young son of Dromana Bucko and Paradise Asia broke smartly but really motored into the bend to take charge. It was a decisive maneouvre with the September ’22 whelp going on to win by three and a half lengths from Rapido Bob in 28.42.

BONNER HOLDS ON

The tenth race on the card paid tribute to the outgoing Dara Geraghty and it provided a tremendous finish. Here Thomas and Patrick O’Gorman’s Edermine Bonner (Cushie Jet/ Edermine Cooper) displayed superb early speed to get loose into the corner and it was enough to secure him victory, although he really did have to dig deep in the closing yards to contain the advancing Kapuka Warrior. In a tremendous finish, Edermine Bonner held on to score by a short head in 28.81.

CLAN DOMINATES

Racing commenced with Killbrennan Clan emerging a comfortable scorer for Vincent McKenna and the Killbrennan Syndicate. Prominent from the outset, the powerful tracker moved on between the opening bends and proceeded to draw right away for a six and a half length verdict over Rathmoyle Gerry in a very useful 29.73 for the 550yd trip.