There will be a big Clare interest in the English Greyhound Derby which gets underway on this Saturday night.
Fresh from her recent success in Shelbourne Park, Coolavanny Chick goes to traps in heat fourteen and will be strongly fancied to secure a spot in the next round, she is trained and owned by Inagh’s Noel Hehir.
Hehir’s kennels are in tremendous form currently with Coolavanny Hardy producing another top class run in the Kasco unraced Sweepstake at Thurles on Saturday night last after he blitzed the field in the opening round , he was installed the red hot 1/3 favourite to land the spoils. Much better into stride this week from trap two, Coolavanny Hardy lay in second place around the opening turn as Ballyhooly Roch set the pace out in front.
However, showing his ferocious back straight turn of foot, Coolavanny Hardy took control rounding the penultimate turn and stormed to a near seven length victory at the winning line. Chasing Turkey ran a big race to finish second as the clock returned 28.66 and both greyhounds will improve further with a clear passage.
Down Limerick way the man in form is Frank Browne. The Quin handler struck with a hat trick of wins over the weekend meetings. First off the mark was Mine Ceol who is owned by Frank’s wife Mary winning in a time of 29.34 for the 525yds distance.
The Thursday double was completed by Mine All Ready who is owned by Francis Browne winning in a very nice time of 28.93 .the Kennel treble was completed on Saturday nights card with Mine Claus claiming A2 525 victory in a time of 29.38.
On that same Saturday nights card the hugely consistent Finure Storm got back to winning ways for his owners the Finnure Syndicate of Mullagh. Finnure Storm broke well and was not for catching when posting a career best for the trip of 28.71.
