There 48 dogs left standing after the first round and the eight heats threw up plenty of excitement. The only dog to duck under the 29 seconds mark was Thurlesbeg Nonie in the fourth heat. The winner shot up from trap five as those on his inner battl
ed for racing room. Three lengths clear at the first bend, Thurlesbeg Nonie moved five lengths clear into the third. Kilcloney Queen went after Thurlesbeg Nonie late in the day, and clawed back some of the deficit. However, it was not enough to claw back the two length victor in a very fine 28.99. Thurlesbeg Nonie is now eight from eleven and looking to have a big say in this stake for owner Billy Dwan.
The opening heat saw the early speed come from Larch Hedge and he led up and around the first two bends. Perilous Guide, a length behind at the second closed the gap racing into the third and looked set to soon take charge. However Larch Hedge found something more and kicked on again. Perilous Guide was not finished and came again for trainer Maria Byrne and eventually got up to win by a length in 29.36.
The Paul Hennessy trained Tyrur Dylan justified favouritism in the second heat but it looked bad for punters for much of the race. Blue Scout was well away and led for much of the early stages with Tyrur Dylan well back in third. Baby Daddy Cool was in second and approaching the third went to challenge Blue Scout. The pair tangled and Tyrur Dylan was able to sweep by on the outer to take the spoils by four and a half lengths in 29.15.
To his liking
After making his way through the grades, the Martin Leahy trained Ballybough Lad has found that a1 grade is much to his liking also. The 7/4 jolly led up from trap 4 and went around the turn in front of Tyrur Bertie. Two lengths clear at the second bend, Ballybough Lad poured it on to double his advantage. Those in behind were unable to mount a challenge and Ballybough won by those four lengths in 29.17 with Tyrur Bertie back in second.
For the second week in a row Cashmans Cat let down favourite backers, as he crashed out of the competition. After a fast start he was caught from behind at the first bend, and impeded. Dirty Toes shot past him and into a clear lead at the second bend. Lightning peejay chased after Dirty Toes and passed him with ease. Old Road Ben was soon in second spot but he never managed to get to the John Kavanagh Lightning Penny despite a gallant late effort, with the recovering Dirty Toes also in the frame. Lightning Peejay got the win by a half a length in 29.63.
Paul Hennessy got the second of his three heat winners in the sixth race. It came thanks to a real burst from speed from Tip Top Jamie from the first bend to the third. It carried him out of the pack and past the fast starting Fennis Hondo.
