TRAPRISE - Topping the Bill for Old pal at Thurles

The approach to Christmas perennially brings a wealth of sweepstake action around the greyhound tracks and within a hectic week of racing action, a host of local challengers advanced to the next round of competition at various venues with much to follow over coming weeks.

However, it was Thurles Greyhound Stadium which proved the most fruitful source of success on a traditionally busy final Saturday fixture before Christmas where one local victory stood tall above all others as Bernie Hogan’s Old Bill (Droopys Sydney-Starry Display) made a winning debut in truly impressive style while sparking an emotional reception for the family of the recently passed Tom White.

Taking command of the career of Old Bill as one of the last greyhounds to experience the adoring care of her dad, a first official runner for Bernie Hogan saw the July 2020 pup housed in trap 5 for the ON2 525 and breaking just off the pace, he raced in third position while in chase of early paced rivals to the opening bend.

Disputing second place entering the backstraight following a minor bump while turning, Old Bill had near four lengths to recover but in a hugely eye-catching gallop on the run to the closing bends, the Hogan pup readily reduced the deficit before ranging up on the inside to strike the front while negotiating the turns. Bounding clear in strong staying fashion thereafter, Old Bill extended to an ultimately comfortable six length winning margin and posting 29.57 (-30) within his dominant manner of victory, he looks a very bright prospect indeed.

A poignant time of year in any case, this most popular of victories tugged at the heartstrings while warmly received by all in attendance at Thurles, with fond memories of Tom White bridging respectful social distances between a patronage of well-wishers, rejoicing as Old Bill did his old pal, and his extended White family connections very proud!

Never Too-late for Christmas brace

Under the guidance of mum Tina, young Cloughjordan owner Abigail Morrissey has enjoyed a hugely successful 2021 and on the same Saturday fixture at Thurles, plundered the festive prizes on offer with an early double winning performance.

Commencing the card in the A6 525, Toolate Shannon (Toolatetosell-Security) had endured a luckless spell of form since last successful back in June but never out of form per say, the July 2019 whelp had a trio of recent runner-up finishes. Leaving all frustrations behind this time however, the Morrissey stalwart impressed in a fifth career win.

Moderately to stride from trap 3, Toolate Shannon raced in advance of just one rival when reaching the opening turn but sneaking a couple of places while remaining within two lengths to the top of the backstraight, she quickly rushed up on the inside to join the pacesetter at halfway. Locked in battle to the crown of the closing bends, superior strength in the home stretch saw her draw clear to a cosy three and a half length victory in a smart 29.50 (-30), which will bring a rise to A3 next time.

The Morrissey kennel double arrived within the half-hour and having slipped to an appealing level, Abigails Mystery (Belles Direction-Geelo Lu Lu) took full advantage of a highly plausible opportunity in his A5 525.

The former A3 winner was last to the opening bend but securing clear passage on the rail, cannily negotiated his way to second at the top of the backstraight. Over three lengths adrift on the run to halfway, the strong runner over the standard distance predictably produced his best from that point and although forced to check while tackling the closing bends, Abigails Mystery struck the front in the home stretch for a most game and overdue third career success in 29.98 (-30). Remaining in the same A5 grade, he can be fancied to back up this performance next time out!

Staying at Thurles, Saturday’s A1 570 event looked a hot heat on paper and duly proved so as David McGrath’s Taylor Kate (Tyrur Big Mike-Leamaneigh Breda) made an overdue return to winning ways when accounting for a talented local rival.

Not seen in public from February to September, the January 2019 whelp had been well held in a quartet of comeback races over recent months but bouncing back to form on Saturday, she claimed the fourth win of her career.

Bumped upon leaving trap 3, the McGrath winner tracked the early pace before further crowded when racing in tight quarters at the opening turn. Galloping the second bend at pace however, Taylor Kate rapidly advanced to second behind new leader Meduza on the run to halfway and thoroughly impressing to the closing bends, powered her way to the lead on the inside of that rival while turning. The latter John Byrne trained stalwart gave game pursuit to the line thereafter, but a most impressive winner, Taylor Kate held two lengths in hand at the line while posting a fast 31.54 (-30).

Rounding out the impressive local haul of winners on the night, Laura O’Meara’s Chubbys Whisper (Ballymac Best-Chubbys Sarah) got off the mark at the third time of asking while announcing herself as another bright young local prospect for the new season ahead.

A March 2020 pup, the Dolla charge had twice filled second in her career start before this first Thurles outing, but she immediately had a task on her paws when slow to stride from trap 6 in her A4 525 contest. Steadily recovering lost ground to the top of the backstraight however, the O’Meara pup reached that point in third position and setting sights on leader Knockalton Conor, thoroughly impressed when powering to the front on the run to the closing bends. Completing with two lengths in hand of that same rival, Chubbys Whisper left ominous scope to progress from her smart winning time of 29.27 (-30) and although rising to A2 next time, she can be expected to cope in that sphere with further progression highly likely.