FAITH FASTEST IN VALUABLE THIS RUNS DEEP A2

Ian Fortune

Ventry Faith backed up his superb opening round effort to clock a fastest of the round 28.60 in the second round of the valuable This Runs Deep A2 525 at Shelbourne Park on Friday night.

It was part of an exceptional double for Owen McKenna, who also saw Callaway Paradym emerge as the fastest heat winner of the Retired Greyhound Trust A3 525 with a brilliant 28.37 return.

FAITH TAKES CHARGE DOWN THE BACK

Ventry Faith was headed early by Old Chicago but took over on the third turn. From there, the son of Droopys Sydney and Ballycowen Lucy emerge a comfortable length scorer over the early pace-setter in 28.60.

Highview Scan flew home to lead in the latter stages for Gerry Merriman in Heat 3. The daughter of Pat C Sabbath hit the line a length and a half to the good over Ravenswood Chica in 28.68.

Barefoot Awesome flew home to lead on the line in the opening heat. Off the pace for much of the way, the Paul Hennessy trained powerhouse got up on the line to beat long-time pace-setter Bristow by a short head in 28.71.

Ballybough Carol was a 5-1 chance in the final heat although she was razor-sharp in the opening yards and made every inch to win by three and a half lengths in 28.83.

PARADYM EXCITES

Callaway Paradym looked a real prospect in the delayed Retired Greyhound Trust A3 525. Showing outstanding pace from the second turn, he took charge before the third turn and eased right away to win by eight and a half lengths in a stunning 28.34. He looks likely to go on to bigger and better things for Owen McKenna and Denis Murphy in the future.

Droopy Lavish also won in style, flying home to lead on the line to deny long-time pace-setter and hot favourite Lion Heart in Heat 3. She took the verdict by a head in a rapid 28.51.

The first of the three heat winners, Irelands Eye led early to emerge a good winner by a length and a half in 29.27.

PICKLES LOOKS A MASSIVE PROSPECT

Racing ended with a massive run by the hugely exciting Coosane Pickles. Off the pace after a slow start, the Michael O’Donovan trained youngster absolutely flew from the second turn to put herself into contention at the third turn before powering home a three and a half length winner. The daughter of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Pickles stopped the clock in 28.66 but she will go considerably faster in the future. Do not be surprised if this lady turns into a classic contender.