DUKE A REAL CHAMPION

Ian Fortune

Pat Guilfoyle has won just about everything in the sport of greyhound racing but, ahead of Saturday, a Boylesports Champion Stakes victory had eluded him.

Daleroad Duke put that right with an emphatic display, showing all his pace and class to leave a top-class field standing.

There was plenty of action in the ring ahead of the €20,000 decider with Daleroad Duke and Knockeen Dazzler eventually going to traps the 5-2 joint favourites. Superfast Gorden was one of the big movers, returning a 7-2 chance, although that price was certainly scarce come the off. 

DALEROAD CUTS A DASH

While the betting believed it was an open contest, it was evident from the early yards that Daleroad Duke was on a mission.

In truth, this was a one-dog affair from the opening yards with Daleroad Duke flashing from the inside box.

Daleroad Duke flew from the inside box and was soon in command. Lets Go Bubbles also broke smartly but she couldn’t contain Daleroad Duke. Knockeen Dazzler and Maireads Prince both closed into the turn but both found traffic on the corner as Carmac King and Superfast Gorden edged off the fence.

It scarcely mattered as Daleroad Duke was already clear. Displaying brilliant early dash, the son of Good News and Burgess Sarah was three lengths clear into the turn but quickly moved on by four and a half lengths as they hit the back straight.

OVER BY HALFWAY

By halfway, Daleroad Duke was five lengths clear.

Knockeen Dazzler and Carmac King were his nearest pursuers but neither could land a glove on Thomas O’Keeffe’s pace-setter.

A son of Good News, who Pat Guilfoyle trained to win a Derby, and Burgess Sarah, Daleroad Duke was relentless out front.

Carmac King did run on strongly once taking over in second from Knockeen Dazzler between the last two bends but Daleroad Duke emerged a facile and most impressive three length scorer in 29.42. Knockeen Dazzler just held Superfast Gorden to take third, a further five lengths adrift.  

The winner has always been a star since debuting in the 2023 Denis Linehan Solicitors Open Unraced but this is undoubtedly his finest hour. If he can continue to produce this level of form going forward, there is no doubt he will challenge for more major honours in the coming months.  

Damien Lonergan representing sponsors BoyleSports presents the trophy to the winning connections of Daleroad Duke winner of the 2024 BoyleSports Champion Stakes at Shelbourne Park. Also included are Dylan Brennan Racing Support Officer, Conor Matthews acting Racing Manager, trainer Pat Guilfoyle and the Guilfoyle and O'Keeffe families.               Pic: Imelda Grauer

Boylesports Champion Plate

MARTHA A REAL DISH IN PLATE

Glengar Martha must be a joy to own. Of course, the only man to know is Bill Wood and he would have been over the moon to see his star run out a tremendous winner of the Boylesports Champion Plate in typically professional fashion.

In what was her fiftieth career start, the Pat Buckley trained daughter of Droopys Sydney and Glengarbadminton was untouchable. Sent to traps the .... Favourite, she was at her electric best in the opening yards getting the jump on Scooby Countess.

The pair raced clear of the remainder into the turn. Importantly, Glengar Martha struck the corner in front and once doing so was never going to surrender her advantage. Scooby Countess chased her hard in second with Carrick Keano emerging as the nearest rival to the two flying females.

But this was all one-way traffic. Glengar Martha was merciless. Galloping all the way to the line, she emerged a thoroughly deserving winner by three and a half lengths in a quick 29.47. Scooby Countess was second with Carrick Keano a further three parts of a length adrift in third.

Damien Lonergan representing sponsors BoyleSports presents the trophy to Carol Cranstone after Glengar Martha won the 2024 BoyleSports Champion Plate at Shelbourne Park. Also included are Conor Matthews Acting Racing Manager, Dylan Brennan Racing Support Officer, Kean Hughes,  Emma Buckley, Aoibhean and Grainne Murphy and Ciaran O'Sullivan.                Pic: Imelda Grauer

JUNIOR BACK TO FORM

2023 Champion Stakes winner Trinity Junior was back to something like his best in the eighth race on the card, showing superb early speed to get up the inside of the fast-starting Arent We All to lead the field into the back straight.

As you would expect from a greyhound of his class, he never looked under a moment's pressure once going to the front and he coasted home a hugely impressive winner. Trained by Peter Cronin for Tim Selvin, the son of Laughil Blake and Oi Oi Upenalty hit the line two and a half lengths to the good over Arent We All in 28.13.  

CHEQUE CASHES IN

Karol Ramsbottom and the Cash Back Syndicate have a real prospect to get excited about in the form of Cheque For Cash.

The talented young son of Dromana Bucko and Paradise Asia was the 6-4 favourite from a rails draw in the tenth race and duly obliged in the style of a greyhound with a big future.

In what was just his fourth career victory, Cheque For Cash looked a true pro, showing fine speed up the fence to take over from the fast starting Rapido Bob on the opening bend. The latter gave chase throughout but Cheque For Cash ran right to the line to win by three lengths in a fast 28.21.    

DILEMMA LEAVES RIVALS IN DARK

Dark Dilemma was a brilliant winner of the A1 fourth race, showing perhaps the form of his career to dominate in a rapid 28.29.

A member of the talented Droopys Sydney/ Jet Ski Queen litter, he soon found himself in front from his inside draw and never looked under threat thereafter despite edging off the fence on the bend.

Trained by David Murray for Alan Devine, Dark Dilemma pulled right away from halfway to eventually hit the line with five lengths to spare over Kapuka Warrior.

FALCON SWOOPS IN FINALE

Da Bold Falcon, trained by John McGee for Pat McDonagh, took his opportunity when it arose in the finale.

Charging to the front between the last two bends when the pace-setting Snowy April and Deadly Choice clashed. Snowy April set a strong gallop but looked under serious pressure when Deadly Choice charged into the third turn to make his move.

Snowy April attempted to close the gap and it saw the front two get entangled. Suddenly, Da Bold Falcon (Droopys Sydney/ Hail Cleopatra) was left in front and he powered home to run out a three and a half length winner in 31.23.

ON THE NOSE ON THE BUNNY

On the Nose was making hiss Shelbourne Park debut in the A2 fourth race but he looked right at home, showing terrific early speed to assert into the turn after a moderate start before racing clear of his rivals.

Representing the team of Peter Cronin and Aidan Comerford, the well bred son of Droopys Sydney and Palermo was out of reach by the third turn before coasting home a facile two length winner over Rallying Girl in 28.54.

DIEGO SHOWS REAL POWER

After showing real promise around Kilkenny, Paul Hynes’ Hello Diego made a successful Shelbourne debut in the ninth race when storming home for a superb victory.

The young son of Jaytee Yankee and Darver Bridie was a long way off the pace in the early stages but he really began to hit stride at halfway.

Darbys Queen dictated early but was headed by Brayview Jet into the third turn but his lead was only temporary. The Paul Hennessy trained Hello Diego arrived with a real rush to hit the front on the run in for a two length victory over Brayview Jet in 28.58.

SUPREME BACK TO WINNING WAYS

2023 Produce Stakes champion Burgess Supreme claimed his first success in almost a year when reeling in the long-time leader and warm favourite Whyaye Bonnylad in the penultimate race on the card.

It also happened to be his first win over four bends since his classic victory.

Whyaye Bonnylad seemed certain to come home in front when making a flying start from the inside. He would lead the field into the back straight but he could never get away. Burgess Supreme proved sticky in second, closing the gap into the third turn.

Still, Whyaye Bonnylad seemed the most likely scorer but Burgess Supreme had other ideas. Showing real determination on the run in, the son of Burgess Bucks and Burgess Dancer got up in the closing yards for his owners JJ Fennelly and Sheila Spillane to beat Whyaye Bonnylad by a half length in 28.68.

575YDS UNLOCKS THE BEST OF QUEEN

Unlock Queen certainly appreciated the long run to the turn in the A2 third race, racing clear despite running wide on the bend to open her account at the seventh time of asking.

Brendan Matthews' very well bred daughter of Grangeview Ten and Unlock Unlock wasn't the fastest into stride but she flew into the bend to take charge.

She may have given away a couple of lengths, allowing the chasers to draw closer but she kicked again as they hit the back straight.

Once doing so, it was all very comfortable for the pace-setter and she emerged an impressive six length winner over Freffans Bond in a quick 31.06.

JAKE SHOWS PROMISE

Ballinabola Jake opened his Dublin account in the A1 second race over 550yds.

A promising son of Glengar Bale and Ballinabola Evie, Ballinabola Jake made the most of an ideal draw on the fence, taking over in the final strides into the turn.

Once going to the front, the Pat Buckley trained youngster eased on to put the result beyond doubt. Maintaining a fine gallop throughout, Mary Murphy's charge went on to beat Cash Gal by seven lengths in 29.90. 

ALEX FINALLY OPENS ACCOUNT

Fantasy Alex had sixteen starts without success ahead of his appearance in the opener over 550yds but he looked very comfortable out front, showing early speed to lead from the early yards.

Both Dapper Davy and Kilcolgan Whitney finished well to close on the run in but Fantasy Alex (Droopys Sydney/ Rushmoorbeatrice) went on to finally score for Leslie Coveny and handler Adam Dunford by two lengths in 29.91.