Ardkill Jamie closes in on sub 28 second run
Just over a half length improvement on that in any forthcoming round would see the Paul Hennessy trained dog cement his place in greyhound history.
The previous record at the track was 28.08 held by Fat Budgie, also trained by Hennessy.
The winner and Jims Vieri disputed the lead to the bend. Ardkill Jamie forged ahead early in the back straight and increased his advantage throughout to come home five and a half lengths clear of Jims Vieri, with none of the other four never having got a look in. The winner improved his personal best for the trip by more than half a second and as a result was cut from 14/1 to 6/1 by the sponsors to win the classic.
Fifteen minutes later Droopys Electric also turned in a top drawer performance to take his opening round heat in a very fast 28.14.
Pat Buckley's star was fast up from his inside slot and duly made all for a comfortable two-length win over Tom Tashadelek, who was doing his best work at the finish.
However the night ended with a shock when Express Comet, the National Sprint winner at Dundalk who had done a couple of spectacular trials in preparation for the event, was eliminated in heat 12.
The even money chance made slight contact with Kilkenny Baby on his inside in the opening strides. That held him up and he was in the middle of the bunch behind the pacemaking Tyrur Lee when hampered at the opening bend.
He stayed in touch however and was staying on in fourth when again hampered at the final bend. This time, however, there was no recovery.
In the end he trailed home in fifth place and made his exit.
Up front the Hennessy trained Tyrur Lee, having been fast away from her wide draw, easily made the bend in front and, with trouble in behind, bolted home eleven lengths of Lefanta April in 28.35.
Hennessy, whose Tyrur Ted made a successful start to the defence of the classic on Thursday night, was responsible for three of the six heat winners on the night (all eight of his entries qualified for the second round including the five Tyrur dogs) and was quickly off the mark with Black Or White in heat 7.
The veteran, who had run almost twice as many races as any of his opponents, was well enough away and tracked Johnnys Vision and Bluesareback into the opening bend.
He lost a place between bends but was no more than three lengths off the pace in fourth at the second turn.
He had moved into third by the Opel bend and edged across to the rails between bends to deliver his challenge.
His cause was helped by the pacemaking Bluesareback moving wide off the final bend, allowing Black or White to ease ahead half way up the straight for a two and a half length win in a personal best 28.55.
The Seamus Graham trained Jaxerback, a fast first round Puppy Derby winner but eliminated in the second round, made his exit here. He broke well but was outpaced on the run to the bend and couldn't get back into it afterwards, eventually finishing last of the main group - Rusheen Wonder having been knocked over at the opening bend.
Consolation Derby runner-up Holborn Post came from behind to take heat 8. The Keeley McGee trained dog was led early on by both Kanes Blue and Blue Majestic.
However he railed well at the opening bend and had taken over up front by halfway. Blue Majestic looked dangerous momentarily at the third bend but could make no further progress and Holborn Post came clear up the straight for a four length win in 28.49.
The very consistent Big Time Gent took his win average well past the 50% mark when taking heat 9. Graham Holland's hope was led early on by the fast starting Iron Mike but had made up the ground by the opening bend.
Big Time Gent then pushed the pacemaker wide at the bend and, having taken over in the lead was in no danger afterwards, eventually having four lengths to spare over Movealong Alfie, who chased him from before halfway, in 28.42.
Consolation Derby finalist Astromonic was moderately away here, and having been baulked at the opening bend dropped out of contention.
On the betting front the sponsors keep Droopys Electric as their favourite, cutting him to 4/1 from 6/1.
The three big movers are Oran Premier, Tyrur Ted and Ardkill Jamie who are all 6/1 from 14/1. Holborn Post remains at 8/1, Aerial View has been clipped from 16/1 to 14/1 while Tyrur Paddy remains a 20/1 chance.
Cashmans biggest ante-post bets were: 3,000 on Tyrur Ted at 25/1; 3,000 on Oran Premier at 14/1; £2,000stg on Droopys Electric at 6/1 and £2,000stg Express Comet at 6/1 (eliminated).
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
