Billy blitzes rivals to land Laurels

The local greyhound racing community united in celebration on Saturday night as Knockglass Billy, owned by Martin Murphy of Ladysbridge, ran out a facile and very popular winner of the Connolly’s Red Mills Irish Laurels.

Trained by Graham Holland, who was winning the classic for the second time, the brilliant early pacer broke well and was accelerating sharply when trouble befell reigning champ and early leader Razldazl Rioga. The latter appeared to have his hind legs taken as he tried to make his way across to the inside but he held his balance well to turn in second place.

By this stage, however, Knockglass Billy had begun to assert and there was a huge roar from the packed stadium as race commentator Tim Kelleher called the local hope clear out of the second bend.