All on Adios in Derby thriller
THE 85th National Coursing Meeting ended in a blaze of glory in Powerstown Park on Wednesday, where a huge attendance enjoyed some thrilling sport in gloriously mild weather. Fortunately for all present, early-morning, heavy rain cleared half an hour before the first brace went upfield so proceedings took place in a carnival-like atmosphere.
The Boylesports.com Derby final climaxed this festival and victory eventually rested with the well-supported Adios Alonso, the original second favourite and the market-leader after the opening round.
Alonso is owned by Basil Holian, from Athenry, Richard Maher, from Thurles and John O’Sullivan, from Clonmel. He is trained in Athenry by Gerry Holian, a brother of Basil, and gave Holian his second success in the dog classic, which he won with Murtys Gang in 2002.
Adios Alonso was the fancied runner going to slips for the final with the Cork hope, Mafi Magic, which is trained in Glounthane by Donal Leahy for the Shamrock Bar Syndicate, from Kilworth.
The issue was in doubt for the best part of 200 yards but Adios Alonso gradually asserted his superiority and took the decisive turn by a length and a half.
Lisloose in Oaks
A slight damper was placed on this meeting when it was announced that there would not be a final in the Hotel Minella Oaks. This news was conveyed to the public at a very late stage and the upshot was that the favourite for the course, Needham Time, was withdrawn because of injury. This resulted in the Johnny Carroll-trained Lisloose Accord being declared the winner.
NATIONAL MEETING 2010 ROLL OF HONOUR
Boylesports.com Derby
Adios Alonso
Breeding:Janey Mac Aroo-Eoin Bui
Bidder steps in to Dance away with Thurles top lot
LAST Saturday’s annual Pop Gun meeting at Thurles produced a bumper turnout.
The attendance was around 30 percent up on a normal weekend figure and it rounded off an extremely long and busy day for the local management.
It started on a crisp, frosty morning with the traditional pre-Festival Meeting sales.
Dance Vidic attracted the top price of €2,000.
The heavyweight black June ‘08 Tyrur Ted – Hooch Babe dog goes to scale at 79 pounds.
Now Pilot hopes to land Limerick's Kennedy Cup
BELLEWOOD PILOT, poignant winner of the Con Kirby Memorial Open 550 at Limerick on Saturday, next goes for the Kennedy Cup, which starts there with eight heats this weekend.
Pilot, owned jointly by Noreen McManus – the race was named in honour of her late dad – and Declan Moylan, and Gold Slipalong completed a fine 1-2 for Co. Kerry based Pat O’Connor.
Liam Kennedy, the track’s general manager, told us: “Last Saturday was a great night and we turned over €15,000 on the Tote, which is a big sum for this track.”
Kennedy has been at the stadium since September last year and is thoroughly enjoying his stint.
Rafa Baby can pop the Guiness at Cork
RAFA BABY can quickly make her presence felt in the second round of the Guinness Trophy over 525 yards at Cork on Saturday.
The daughter of Brett Lee clocked the fastest time in last week’s heats with 28.82; and strictly on that form has over five lengths in hand on her rivals in the opening heat.
She has a cracking turn of early pace and is expected to quickly go beyond recall. Montos Honcho and veteran Daleys Buzz, who both won last week, can prove the biggest dangers.
Whatsupjack the leading light in star-studded final
WHATSUPJACK can complete a four-timer in the final of the John J. Casey 575 at Shelbourne Park on Saturday.
Peter Cronin’s runner, who is unbeaten in this stake, has steadily improved with each race since returning from a long lay-off after getting bowled over in the final of the Catunda Harry Champion Stakes at Youghal in September.
The son of Brett Lee was very impressive last week when flashing from the traps to beat Accordello by two and a half lengths in a fastest of the night 31.39 (-50) and if starting in the same fashion will be hard to beat.
Marie’s Cavecourt double
LAST weekend saw a great double celebration for Marie Duggan of Skeheenarinka, Co. Tipperary, when the only two greyhounds she has in training both won races.
Sad news as Honcho Classic passes away
ONE of Ireland’s leading stud dogs, Honcho Classic, passed away this week after a short illness.
Much loved at his home, the Frightful Flash Kennels, Honcho Classic finished three times runner-up to Top Honcho in the Irish Stud Dog of the Year Awards in 2008, 2006 and 2005.
“Honcho Classic will be sadly missed by all here at FFK Sires, including his hale and hearty kennel mate Jamella Prince,” said stud keeper Michael Dunne.
Check Out this performance for four-in-a-row record?
WHEN Check It Out was entered to defend the O’Gorman Cup in Milford we all wondered if he could make it four O’Gorman Cups in a row.
Well he did.
Springbok is live on Sky
THE William Hill Springbok final (460 metres hurdles) meeting at Wimbledon on Tuesday night is live on Sky Sports.
