UNBEATEN DAVE CLAIMS GALWAY’S PADDY O’GORMAN FEATURE

Peter Farrell

There was a brilliant €2,250 on offer as the final of the Paddy O’Gorman A1/A2 525 took centre stage at Galway Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and it was the unbeaten Lissatouk Dave who landed the spoils.

Heading into the decider, Lissatouk Dave was one of two unbeaten finalists along with Grangeview Lolo, however, despite winning from trap five last weekend, he still looked to have plenty on his plate after being drawn in a similar berth this time around. That said, despite not breaking as fluently as one-week prior, he showed the superior early pace and this ultimately proved crucial as he got across to the fence early on to take charge. Owned by Master James McMahon, the 5/2 chance proceeded to swoop the opening bend thereafter and with some traffic in behind, this enabled ‘Dave’ to gallop into a five length lead over Grangeview Lolo in second. Maintaining a blistering march to the penultimate bend, the favourite did make inroads rounding the bottom two bends but this was all in vain as Lissatouk Dave stayed on stoutly to seal a comfortable, one and three parts of a length victory. A son of Laughil Blake and Lissatouk Dolly, the four-timer was complete as he stopped the clock in a rapid 28.82 from Grangeview Lolo in second, while Cloonturk Bruno finished at speed to claim third.

BUCK A FUTURE STAR

Aside from the final, there was a performance of real note in race two as Ballyea Buck won his debut race in emphatic fashion, while smashing the 29-second barrier in the process.

Just an April 22’ whelp, Ballyea Buck is trained by Declan McDonagh for Noel Gavin and they look to have a lovely prospect on their hands as he dismantled his novice rivals in the most eye-catching fashion. A 6/4 chance at the off, followers didn’t have long to form an orderly queue as Ballyea Buck pounced from four to lead Uriel Ark on the approach to the opener. Swooping the turn, the well-bred son of Burgess Bucks and Coolavanny Spice immediately manufactured an unassailable lead as he drew further and further clear, crossing the line twelve lengths clear of Barntick Midget in second. The time was a brilliant 28.89, one to watch going forward.

KIRSTY BACK TO WINNING WAYS

Another greyhound to dip under the 29-second barrier was Flyers Kirsty, who made it six career wins, for Michael Fitzgerald.

A bitch who has recorded many fine displays at Galway, Flyers Kirsty went to traps as 2/1 shot to get back to winning ways and she made her intentions clear from the off with a tidy start from one. Developing a three length advantage over Syds Star down the back, the daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Ballymac Arminta drew clear in the closing stages to cross the line with seven and three parts of a length in hand over Grangeview Port in second. The time was 28.86.