JACKO QUICKEST IN DINNY MACKAY MEMORIAL AT THURLES

Peter Farrell

The second round heats of the Dinny Mackay Memorial Cup took place last night at Thurle Greyhound Stadium and it was Hello Jacko who grabbed the stake by the scruff off the neck to win in emphatic style.

Trained by Paul Hennessy, who sent Illnotbeback out to break the clock on Laurels final night at Cork, Hello Jacko could only manage second place in last week’s opening round but Susan Hennessy’s tracker bounced back to winning ways and cement himself as the one to beat in outright terms in the process. Running from trap three, Hello Jacko, a 2/1 shot, didn’t come away too fluently from the middle and he could manage only fourth early on. However, showing huge pace down the back, the son of Jaytee Dutch and Hey Delilah made rapid inroads at the halfway point and he continued to build momentum as he stormed to the front and win going away. Crossing the line with over eight lengths in hand, the time for Hello Jacko was an impressive 28.96 .20s.

ROUNDING UP THE HEATS

Next best in terms of the clock was the even money favourite Freedom Odin in heat two. Owned by Denis Ryan, the January 21’ whelp won his opening round assignment and he continued his good form as he ran out a comprehensive victor. Running from trap three, the fawn was well away and sat second early on as Foxrock Banger led the way. However, showing fine dash at the midway point, the son of Good News and Freedom Dream built up ahead of steam and he raced to the front on course to a six length lead over Shanaway Siren in second. The time was 29.38 .20s.

In the opening heat of the night, Kylenoe Maid also made it back-to-back wins as she held on gamely to deny the fast-finishing Racenight Bigtom. Owned by Patsy Meaney and Edward Fogerty, Kylenoe Maid again flashed from trap one and she held all the aces early on as she raced into a commanding lead. Setting a smart gallop thereafter, the chasing pack were closing and there was little more than one length separating first from fifth crossing the line. The time for Kylenoe Maid, who went off at even money, was 29.52 .20s.

BOB OLINGER STUNNING

The fastest time of the night came in the final race of the night as Bob Olinger produced an outstanding performance to win at a canter.

Owned by the Only-Fools Syndicate, Bob Olinger was the 5/4 favourite at the off and he pinged the lids from five to set his stall out early. Displaying stunning gears down the back, the son of Pat C Sabbath and Priceless Dancer was seven lengths too strong for Great Jet crossing the line. The time was a scintillating 28.69 .20s.

NOTHING TO SPLIT FURY AND SPIRIT

The final of the Greyhounds Make Great Pets A3 525 also featured on last night’s card and the €865 to the winner stake was landed in dead-heat fashion by both Killenaulespirit and Oriental Fury.

Trained by David Flanagan for the Jack Russell Syndicate, Killenaulespirit was chasing a hat-trick heading into the event and he looked to have plenty on his plate as he could manage only fourth early on. However, the son of Ballymac Best and Milestone Pearl finished at speed to get up late on and score. The same could be said of Oriental Fury for owner Denise Ryan. Another who sat third for the majority of the contest, this son of Oriental Warrior and Hell On Wheels upped the ante late on and there was nothing to separate the pair. A dead heat called in the decider, the time was 29.01 .20s.