CHARLIE AND BEN PRODUCES HIS BEST RUNNING IN KASKO A2 FINAL

Barry Drake

CHARLIE AND BEN, trained by Jack Kennelly for owner Paul McCartan, impressed when winning the feature at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium on Friday night, the €4,000 to the winner Kasko A2 Stakes Final.

The 4-1 shot produced his quickest start and best performance for the night that mattered as he came away racing and just slipped around the opening corner in front. Displaying massive speed on the back straight, the classy winner was soon in total control and it was race over heading down to halfway. Keeping on well up front, Charlie And Ben returned to top form, clocking 28.55 and coming home with two and a half lengths clear of the running on Ardrahan Oprah.

JOHN & MARY KILLEACLE DOWLING MEMORIAL A1 570

In round two of the John & Mary Killeacle Dowling Memorial A1 570, it was Ballymac Boa who set the standard when scoring in style for Liam and Shane Dowling. The even-money favourite delivered a stunning 30.51 winning performance, four lengths clear of Westwind Ace.

Heat three went the way of Moorstown Brett for Joseph O'Flaherty. The 3-1 winner put on a fine front-running display, scoring in 30.71, three-quarters of a length clear of Millridge Nadia.

The second heat produced a fantastic finish with Kilcolgancatchme just getting the verdict for trainer Neilus O'Donneell and owner Karen Geoghegan. A powerful finish to land the spoils, in 30.73, a short head in front of the fast-finishing and eye-catching Moorstown Knight.

In Good Time landed the closing heat for trainer Brendan Maunsell and owners the Working Together Syndicate. The 4-6 favourite displayed plenty of all round speed to win, in 30.98, three lengths clear of Stormy Benny. 

Declan Thornton from Kasko making the winning presentation to owner Paul McCartan with trainer Jack Kennelly and Heather Hartley, Kingdom Greyhound Stadium after Charlie And Ben won the Final of the Kasko A2 Stakes in Tralee last night.