Burgess Rumble bags Curraheen prize with plenty to spare

The Greyhound & Petworld A1 525, with a winner’s prize of €5,000, featured on a great card on Saturday night at Curraheen, and ultra-reliable Laurels runner-up Burgess Rumble landed the spoils in some style.

Owned by Sheila Spillane and JJ Fennelly, Killeagh, the 2-1 chance flew out, raced comfortably clear down the back, and stayed on strongly to beat favourite Glenanore Ace by five lengths, in 28.34.

The first of the seven finals was the Laughing Dog Food A6 525, and Nagnam Joe scored for Amy O’Connor and Jim Russel, Bandon. With the leaders tangling around the final bends, the lightly raced June ’13 whelp stayed on well to beat Kiel Playboy by three and a half lengths, in 29.24.

Martys Fantasy, owned by Martin and Sophie May O’Connor, got up late to take the Greyhound & Petworld Express Transport A5 525. Again there was late drama, as the leaders again tangled at the final bend, opening the door for the strong-running Martys Fantasy to lead late for a three-length victory over Bet Bill, in 29.00.

Whiteys Scarface may have had a touch of good fortunate when winning his semi-final heat of the Gain Dog Food A2 525, but there was no semblance of luck required this time as he popped out and made all to score for Ursula Hogan, Douglas. Clear down the back, he stayed on well to beat favourite Freds Choice by a length, in 28.57.

Jims Classy Pick, trained by James O’Dea, Ballylanders, made light of his task in the Connolly’s Red Mills A4 525 decider. Away well, he opened up a clear advantage, and raced unchallenged to a three-length victory over Lahana Ally, in 28.65.

Rappa Jazzer relished the step up in trip when taking the Odds On Dog Food A3 Tri-Distance for Frances O’Donnell and owners Nora and John Keegan. In front early, he was challenged for much of the trip by favourite Minor Bound, but pulled away up the straight to beat that rival by three and a half lengths, in 31.06 (575).

Youngster Witches Belle confirmed she’s quite the stayer in the making when running away with the Kasko Mealettes A2 575 decider, for owner Edel Twomey, Midleton. The February pup broke better than ever, took over from Comeout Russell as they raced the opening bends, and ran on powerfully to win by six lengths, in a brilliant 30.89.

Outside of the featured finals, there was a brilliant display from the Tom O’Neill-trained Lefanta Sky, who won an open 525 in 28.22, while John Slyne’s Rockybay Thomas posted 28.78 when holding the late charge of Native Custom by a neck, in the open hurdle.

Carl Humphreys’ Pennys Tyrell made it four wins in eight starts when taking the sprint, in 17.79, while the Jerry Griffin-trained Morning Music, who ran a bit flat when knocked out of the Derby last weekend, justified odds-on favouritism in the open 750, posting 41.52.