THE newly formed Alliance for the Betterment of Coursing held its inaugural National meeting on Sunday last in Nenagh and organisers were delighted with the huge turnout.

IT must have been a close call but from a very strong field — where his main rival must have been Champion Stakes winner Windfarm — the Greyhound & Pet World coursing dog of the year award has gone to the courageous puppy Eoin Rua (Handsome Billa – Eoin Og), winner of the very competitive JP McManus Irish Cup at Patrickswell and the Keen Laddie Stakes at Clonmel.

GALLANT PARNELL, purchased by current owners the C.C &M Syndicate from Listowel from John Flynn of Tarbert after he had been beaten two and a half lengths by Jerrys Beam in the final of the Derby Trial Stake at Charleville last season, started his campaign on a bright note when taking the Desmond Cup at Glin yesterday.