Tyrur leaves Laurels rivals floundering
Everything panned out just nicely for the 4/6 jolly.
As expected, the pair on his left (Goblet of Fire and Knockna Kirka) flashed out in front but Tyrur Ted was tucked in nicely behind them on the run to the bend.
With the three inside runners all moderately away, it was soon a three dog race.
The local hope Goblet of Fire, with the film version of the Harry Potter book of the same name opening nationwide on November 17, would have been an appropriate winner, but it wasn't to be.
Not that he didn't give it his all as he gave his supporters - busloads from Timoleague and Barryroe (among others) plenty to cheer about.
It was long odds on that either Goblet of Fire or Knockna Kirka would take a flier. It was the former.
He blazed a trail around the opening two bends and was two lengths clear of Knockna Kirka early in the back straight. But the winner's shadow was soon beginning to envelop him and the writing was on the wall at the third bend.
Almost effortlessly, Tyrur Ted eased past the pacemaker between the third and fourth bends and in a matter of strides the race was decided.
To cap a classy performance the favourite didn't run as wide at normal off the last bend and by the line had put a very impressive six and a half lengths between him and his rivals in 28.33, the second fastest time in the final since the event moved to Curraheen Park in 2000.
Goblet of Fire stuck on gamely for second - a comfortable length and a half ahead of Knockna Kirka who just held the running on Costly Flight (moderately away, never threatened) by a short head for third. It was the same distance back to Vancouver Sparky (slowly away, went a moderate fourth in the back straight but no further progress) in fifth with Final Show Down (slowly away, never showed) bringing up the rear.
Next on the agenda for the winner is a possible tilt at the Waterford Masters
“I'll have to discuss it with P J (Fahy, owner) but it looks like the next stop will be Waterford,” said a delighted winning trainer Paul Hennessy, also responsible for Goblet of Fire, and who was winning his fourth Laurels following Mr Pickwick ('97 and '98) and Barefoot Ridge in 2000.
“The dog is a machine. He just loves his racing. It takes a special dog to produce a performance like he did tonight.”
The Risky Busainess Syndicate, owners of Goblet of Fire, were far from downhearted.
“The dog did us proud,” said Peter Fleming who owns Goblet of Fire in conjunction with Barry Harte and Christy O'Donovan.
“He gave it everything and €10,000 for second isn't a bad night's work.”
Third placed Knockna Kirka, bred in Mogeely, Co Cork by Anne Fitzgerald and trained by her son, Denis, for English owner Pat Sullivan, will now have a “good rest” with a view to a crack at the National Sprint in Dundalk next year.
Tyrur Ted's success capped a near disastrous night for the layers. With a succession of well fancied dogs winning, most of the €208,000 they held on the night was returned with interest.
The Tote meanwhile had a turnover of €81,000 on the night.
