PIVATOL BACK TO WINNING WAYS AT LIFFORD

Peter Farrell

There was a decent nine-race card on offer at Lifford Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night but the standout performance was that of the Lifford specialist, Pivatol Time.

A recent winner of the BoyleSports Irish Derby Trial Stake at the Northwest venue, Pivatol Time also landed the €1,500 to the winner Northwest Greyhound Supplies Tri-Distance at the track, emphasising her toughness and versatility around the Co Donegal venue. Taking part in a four-dog ‘shoot-out’ on Saturday night, followers of Kelmore McConaghie’s runner gave her followers a fright early doors as she came away poorly from four to sit last on the run-up. However, the very generous 9/4 chance quickly picked her spots to improve into third and she breezed past Ardnasool Arc to get within one length of Beebees Princess entering the penultimate bend. Outstaying her rival up the hill, the daughter of Broadstrand Bono really excelled in the closing yards to open a two and three parts of a length margin and she stopped the clock in a rapid 28.77, which was by far the fastest time of the night.

RORO AND ASTRO IDENTICAL

Over the two-bend trip, there were identical clocks produced by both Astro Blaze and one of the most in-form trackers at present, Sniper Roro.

Sniper Roro was the first to produce a blistering performance as Kevin O’Kanes runner made it three wins from his last four starts. Indeed, since settling over the sprint trip, the son of Broadstrand Bono and Sniper Ria has firmly established himself as the one to beat around Lifford and the 6/4 chance made his intentions clear from the outset. Drawn in four, ‘Roro’ had Glenada Bill for company in the early exchanges, however, cut the nose off his rival to open an unassailable lead rounding the opener. From here, O’Kane’s blue flew up the Lifford hill to cross the line with just under three lengths to spare. The time was a fast 17.56.

Not to be outdone, the Paul Magee-owned Astro Blaze got back to winning ways to record an eighth career victory.

A brilliant servant for connections, Astro Blaze went to traps as the 6/4 second favourite in behind Brandywell Hero and he took his customary quick break from trap four to immediately reel in Roseville Bob, who was also on the receiving end of a ping start in three. In doing so, the son of Magical Bale and Astro Aoife quickly put the contest to bed as he powered up the hill to win by two and a half lengths from Rosevill Bob in second. The time, as mentioned, was an identical 17.56.

IN OTHER RACES

The curtain-raiser saw Timeslastcall record a first career victory on his 37th career start. A strapping blue-brindle, who has no-end of issues throughout his career, Michael Farrell’s runner was spring-like at traprise as he immediately created daylight from his wide berth in six. In doing so, the son of Good News opened a healthy advantage down the back before staying on stoutly to win by a comfortable seven lengths. The time for the 3/1 chance was 29.87.

Don Charlie was having just his second start for Paul Whyte in race two and he proved too hot to handle for his rivals as he justified favouritism at odds of 6/4. Quickest into stride from red, trouble in behind allowed the son of Dorotas Wildcat and Benzema to draw clear of his rivals and win by five lengths. The time was 17.71.

In race three, Townsend Swift continued her purple patch for Thomas Brennan as she made it eleven career wins. Running from trap one, the 3/1 chance was allowed the freedom of Lifford on the run to the opening corner and she rounded with a narrow lead over Armagh Joe Brown in second. The latter really pressed the leader on the run for home, however, the damage was done as the daughter of Blame The Game held on by a head to score. The time was 17.79.

Rarely a meeting passes where Charles Coyle doesn’t notch a winner and he was represented by Tobergal Beauty (3/1) in race four. Running from trap five, the daughter of Magical Bale was made to work hard as Coppeen Zeus looked likely to make it back-to-back wins, however, she showed fine gameness to get back on terms and cross the line three parts of a length clear. The time was 29.43.

Izzys Jack (King Sheeran - Corryglass Spark) is never too far away at Lifford and Ann Breslin’s runner won for the eighth time as he reeled in the long-time leader Galliagh Bolt. A 2/1 chance at the off, ‘Jack’ had no answers to Galliagh Bolt in the early yards as the latter showed good determination to take charge from trap five. However, Izzys Jack stuck tight to the rails and this proved decisive in showing the superior stamina to score. One and a half lengths clear crossing the line, the time was a good 29.20.

In the concluding race on the night, Tartan Priority returned from a lengthy break to win for Neil McBride. This lady looked smart prior to her exodus and the 2/1 chance broke well from five to take charge at the opener. From here, the daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and Droopys Esther made every post a winner in coming home three lengths clear of Coldwater Rolo in second. The time was 29.30.