Nidge lives up to expectations

Although the quarter-finals of the Sporting Press Irish Oaks topped Saturday’s programme at Shelbourne, the greyhound most were looking forward to seeing was Droopys Nidge, who had produced the fastest ever debut in Ireland when posting 28.09 in the first round of the ECC Timber Champion Puppy Stake.

The pressure was on follow up and the Robert Gleeson-trained August pup, owned by William Hyslop, lived up to every expectation. The son of Westmead Hawk and Droopys Solange was sent off the 1-5 favourite to follow up, but there was just a moment of anxiety for punters and connections as he raced to the opening bend.

The favourite was forging ahead of Whisht A Mhic when cutting the corner and for one moment it looked as though there might be a clash. But, the pup really drove into the bend and that saw him around safely and well on his way to victory. Tyrur Nathan showed fine pace to get into second place late on but the race was long over as Droopys Nidge strode clear to a seven-length victory in 28.00.