No stamina problems as Bob gives rivals the slip

LARRY Dunne’s Slippery Bob turned the opening heat of the Billy Mulvaney Snr and Jnr Memorial Open 600 at Shelbourne on Saturday into a procession with an impressive display of front running.

Much debate was based around whether the Tote Gold Cup winner would see out the extended distance, but his supporters needn’t have worried. After a lightning start from trap three he was simply in a class of his own as he raced clear before coming home three lengths ahead of the strong finishing Durability in 32.65.

Next fastest was the evergreen Fatboyz Tyson in the final heat. The Pat Gordon trained powerhouse hit the front before the turn and made every yard thereafter to take the verdict by four and a half lengths in 32.77 from Razldazl Barack.

Robert Gleeson’s Ardkill Jamie gave his more experienced rivals a lesson in Heat 2 when rocketing down the back straight to lead before the third turn. He went on to beat the fast finishing Droopys Casanova by four and a half lengths in 32.78, while Graham Holland’s Dundyven Joe moved to the front at halfway before beating Pool Hawk by a length in 32.92 in the remaining heat.

The opening round of the Droopys Stud Munster Oaks at Waterford saw some wonderful efforts, although the plaudits go to Peacon, who produced the performance of the round as she came home clear in 28.50.

The Michael Hallahan trained starlet has improved steadily through her career and at three years of age seems to be hitting top form. Taking up the running before halfway she went on to beat Droopys Betsy by four lengths.

There was good news for the Irish across the pond on Saturday with the Paul Hennessy trained Barefoot Machine setting the standard in the opening round of the St Leger, while Dolores Ruth’s Corn Cuchulainn winner Fleeting Image also won in fine style.

Barefoot Machine was the star turn, however, as the only greyhound to dip below 42 seconds when recording a fastest of the round 41.88.

Draw for next Saturday’s semi-finals of the Billy Mulvaney Snr and Jnr Memorial Open 600 at Shelbourne

Heat 1: 1 Droopys Casanova; 2 Droopys Harvey; 3 Dundyven Joe; 4 Pennylane Jedar; 5 Ardkill Star; 6 Slippery Bob.

Heat 2: 1 Razldazl Barack; 2 Durability; 3 Airforce Roger; 4 Leap Of Faith (w); 5 Fatboyz Tyson (w); 6 Pool Hawk (w).

Draw for Open 350 final: 1 Parchments Mal; 2 Gneeves General; 3 Frankys Back; 4 Speak Out Mac (m); 5 Ambitious Vinnie (m); 6 Royal Tiger (w).

Draw for Friday’s third round of the Track Bookmakers Puppy Derby at Harold’s Cross

Heat 1: 1 Swift Marathon; 2 Incitatus; 3 Cornamaddy Shaw; 4 Cambushmore; 5 Starlight Miller; 6 Bulmers Baby (w).

Heat 2: 1 Airforce Newyork; 2 Movealong Dash; 3 Ruthless Man; 4 Forest Simon; 5 Exciting Talent; 6 Crossfield Star (m).

Heat 3: 1 Loughteen Blanco; 2 Sparta Maestro; 3 Blissful Mentor; 4 Hillcroft Joe; 5 Shaneboy Spencer; 6 Bawna Storm.

Heat 4: 1 Cashen Mafuma; 2 Katies Tango; 3 Callums Flash; 4 Soho Storm; 5 Razldazl Houdini; 6 Troys Dancer (m).