After winning his first round heat of the Epic Hero Leger Winner 525 Stake last weekend at Limerick, Bling Bling Paul stepped it up another gear on Saturday night as he produced another impressive performance to book a spot in next week’s semi finals.
Owned by John Meehan of Newmarket-on-Fergus, Bling Bling Paul is only a May puppy but he is certainly heading the right direction and his latest performance could only be described as flawless. Quickest into stride wearing the red jacket, Bling Bling Paul showed fine early dash to hold his rails pitch early on and turn a two leader over Allegra Blue in second. From here, it was all one way traffic as the son of SH Avatar – Killinan Reina stretched clear and aided by some traffic in behind, he duly came home a thirteen length winner in a time of 28.75.
There was further success for the Clare lads when Buttsys Best got back to winning ways in heat three for the Buttsys-Buckos syndicate of Shannon. Coming into the stake with a big reputation after posting 18.70 over the two bend trip, Buttsys Best had to settle for the minor placings on his last outing and he looked in trouble again on this occasion after a sluggish start from trap six. However, this talented brindle showed huge early gears to get back into contention and he soon took control from Boyhero heading into the penultimate corner. Staying on strongly thereafter, the son of Ballymac Best – Killeacle Tammy ran out a comfortable, five length winner in a time of 28.95.
West Clare owners Michael Troy and Vincent Blake were in the winners enclosure after race four when their Querren/Kilmihil was a trap to line winner over the 350 yards trip in a time of 19.45.This two time winner is trained in Miltown Malbay by Gerry Burke.The Bumper on the night went to Ballyaghboy Panda for veteran owner Gerry Moloney of Clarecastle.
The six opening round heats of the Paul McKenna Memorial A5 575 Yards Stake formed the spine of Saturday nights card at Galway Greyhound Stadium and many eyes were on Heat Four and the performance of the Mullins-Curtin Syndicate owned Kiss An Angel(Sparta Maestro-Blundell Spark) and the litter sister of Miss Joss and Dana Point didn’t disappoint but she had to overcome first bend trouble before easing to victory. Away well enough on the wide outside as Bumblebee Sweets and Crokers Paradise disputed the lead on the run to the opening bend Kiss An Angel got a hefty bump which saw her trail the field entering the back. Out front Creevy Fire had moved to the front approaching halfway but Kiss An Angel was now in full flight and powering to the front on the wide outside she quickly drew right away for a most impressive victory.
In heat three, the Owen McDonagh owned Cloondarone Lady never saw another rival in this heat as she made all the running to record her maiden success by four and half lengths over the eye catching Ballyea Sally owned by Noel Gavin of Ballyea in 32.39. The winner broke smartly and led from Ballyhale Dillen on the run to the opening bend and although the latter was only half a length down at the bend the winner quickly kicked on entering the back straight. At the third bend Cloodarone Lady was clear but Ballyea Sally was now motoring after a slow start but the winner was gone beyond recall.
Flyers Job owned by Kilrush’s Colm Fitzgerald and Cathal Meaney registered his third career success in heat five as he wore down the pace setting Rosshill Holly and Ballycrauige Sue between the final two bends to win going away by four and a half lengths in 32.62. Ballygrauige Sue led on the run up beef Rosshill Holly slipped through in her inner at the opening bend. Racing down the back though Flyers Job began to creep closer and railing well between the final two bends the daughter of Secreto and Confey Eve powered clear off the home bend to score in style.
The A6 graded contest went in all the way fashion to the Ger Manley of Cratloe owned Confused Hassett who made all the running to defeat Balroebuck Kayls by two and three quarter lengths in 29.85. Away smartly the winner showed pace to lead form Balroebuck Kayls and Sports Magic approaching the opening bend. Maintaining a middle to wide berth Confused Hassett kicked four lengths clear down the back straight and staying on well comfortably got off the mark at the fifth attempt in great style.
The outcome of the S6 graded sprint contest was in little doubt from an early stage as the Brendan Browne of Kilkee owned Glasheen Covid flew from traps and in a matter for strides the daughter of Laughill Blake and Rathmeehan Holly had opened up a three length advantage over her rivals headed by Non Stop. Rounding the opening bend Glasheen Covid was in total control as she maintained the tempo all the way to defeat Bumblebee Dylan by two and three quarter lengths in 19.45.
