HOLLAND SENDS FIVE INTO THE SEMI FINALS OF THE IRISH GREYHOUND LAURELS AFTER A FANTASTIC DOUBLE

Barry Drake

Champion trainer Graham Holland recorded a fantastic double in the quarter-finals of the Bar One Racing in association with the Friends & Supporters of Cork Greyhound Irish Greyhound Laurels at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

It was Faypoint Harvey who went quickest in the Laurels when winning for owner Patricia Flanagan. It was pretty straightforward up front, winning the early lead, the 3-1 shot then always looked good. Showing bundles of speed throughout, Harvey came home with three lengths to spare over Romeo Falco. Favourite Crafty Shivoo was never involved after a poor start and she was the same distance back in third place.

2023 Irish Greyhound Derby Champion The Other Kobe took the third heat, making it a double for the Riverside Kennels and winning for owners B Clare and David L'Estrange. The 6-4 favourite was led early by High Trend, but after showing top class back straight speed, he hit the front and pulled away for a comfortable winning performance. Four lengths clear of High Trend at the line, in 28.42, with a length back to Romeo Taylor in third. That makes it five in the semi finals of the Graham Holland team.

In the opening heat, there was big race success for young trainer Lucy Roche. Hazelhill Bucko pulled out all the stops to win for owner Michael T O'Connell. The 4-1 shot was always in the mix, however, he kept on best from halfway to win, in 28.59. (Pic right: Young trainer Lucy Roche with Hazelhill Bucko after winning the opening quarter final of the Bar One Racing Irish Greyhound Laurels.) Ballycowen Bell ran a cracker for second, in front most of the way, she was only a head back in second with two and a half lengths back to Seek The Kingdom in third.

In the closing heat, Road Exile returned to winning ways with a great winning run for trainer Pat Buckley and owner R.A.Colwell. The 6-4 favourite came away racing, in front early, he dug deep late on to get the better of the running on Tinahue Pappone. Half a length the margin, in 28.44, with four and a half lengths back to Droopys Polish in third place

The quickest run of the night came from Dynamic Force in heat two of the second round of the Michael (Bart) Leahy Memorial A2 Stake. The 4-6 favourite displayed massive all round speed, pulling right away late on, he scored easily for trainer Paul Hennessy. Owned by Brendan Cocoman and Ian Cunningham, the impressive winner came home with seven and a half lengths to spare over Crokers Sydney, in 28.09.

In the opening heat, Battling Yank was another to impress when winning for trainer Declan McDonagh and owner Patrick Sheehy. The 2-1 winner was in control early and the September puppy ran out a wide-margin winner. Always in control, the improving winner came home with 10 lengths to spare over Ferryforth Wild, in 28.39.Heat three went the way of Our Dog Molly for trainer Tom O'Neill and owners The Boys From Bally Syndicate, the 7-1 outsider finished with a flourish to record back-to-back winning performances. A fine 28.72 winning display, two and a half lengths clear of Curragh Socks.

In the closing heat, Curragh Ger impressed with a paw-perfect display for Michael O'Keeffe. Once winning the early lead, it was game over. Strong in front, the 4-1 winner clocked 28.60, two and a half lengths clear of Smiling Jack.

In other races, Glenduff Meena, trained by Kieran Lynch for the Leen Family Syndicate, took the opening A1, in 28.33, at odds of 5-2.
Brogan Hillbilly landed the second, for John and Marguerite O'Donoghue, winning the A0, in 28.57, at odds of 2-1.
Bonkersinyonkers, trained by Murt Leahy for the McLean Avenue Syndicate, returned to top form from the rails pitch with a stunning 28.17 winning run in the third of the night.