ALL ABOUT MICROCHIP IN THE TIME CORK CUP

Barry Drake

MICROCHIP (Droopys Sydney-Clona Skye) overcame what looked like a tricky draw out in trap five when setting the standard in the semi-finals of the Time Greyhound Nutrition Cork Cup at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

Displaying lovely early speed, the 3-1 winner drove a fantastic opening corner to slip around in front. Ballycowen Archy turned second, but the one in front kept finding a bit more up front. In the care of Mary Clarke, the in-form winner was making it back-to-back winning performances, clocking 28.53, a length clear of Ballycowen Archy. Made To Measure kept on well for third, three-quarters of a length behind the runner-up.

Daring Diamond (Pestana-Daring Foxy) made all the running in the second semi-final, winning for James Maguire. All about early speed, the 6-4 winner flew around the opening corners in top gear. Soon three lengths clear of Ugo up front, the big early paced winner just did enough to last it out and score. Ugo was keeping on well, half a length back, in 28.80. Three lengths back to Ballycowen Moon in third place.

Draw for next week's final

1 MICROCHIP

2 MADE TO MEASURE

3 BALLYCOWEN ARCHY

4 UGO

5 BALLYCOWEN MOON

6 DARING DIAMOND

In race three, an AA0, Droppys Croia (Signet Ace-Droopys Alice) made a winning return to racing action for trainer Johnny Linehan and owner Sean Dunphy. Snazzy Boss took them along early up front; however, the May puppy displayed top-class speed on the back straight to lead. Keeping on strongly, the exciting prospect came home four lengths clear of Snazzy Boss, in 28.37.

Aghadown Flight (Droopys Sydney-Roaming Shari), trained by Graham Holland for owner Niall Collins, came home in front in the closing race. After turning second, the 4-1 shot took over in front from Riverside Popsie between the final corners. The classy performer stuck to her task well, and she beat Droopys Pablo, by three lengths, in 28.79.

In the sixth, an A1, Senahel Katie (Ballymac Bolger-Ballymac Trudi) made it two wins from her last three outings with a strong all-around winning display for David and Ronan Lehane. The 3-1 winner shot to the front on the back straight, and once leading, the race was always in safe control. Pulling away to win in style, the impressive winner came home three and a half lengths clear of Knockacrump Bell, in 28.73.