A KILKENNY FOUR TIMER FOR RAMSBOTTOM
Ian Fortune
Karol Ramsbottom floated home from Kilkenny on Friday night after sending out four of the five heats winners in the valuable TIME Greyhound Nutrition A3.
It was a wonderful performance from one of Timahoe’s favourite sons but others also attempted to steal the headlines with a few big runs from unraced youngsters to kick of proceedings.
A DREAM START
The headline did go to Ramsbottom, however, as he drew a strong poker hand, four of a kind.
It all began with Willkies Dream coming home in front in Heat 1. A member of the very useful Sober Glory/ Sober Pearl litter, he was to the fore throughout.
Turning in front from trap three, he went on to make every inch thereafter to beat Triangle Musashi by a length in 29.29. It also happened to be the opening leg of a double for Willie Rigney, who jointly owns Willkies Dream with Keith Allsop.
CRAIC TOO HOT TO HANDLE
The second leg of the Rgney double and Ramsbottom four-timer came in Heat 2 with All About Craic asserting in the second half of the contest.
Seaview Deise assumed the pace-setting duties in the early yards but All About Craic was second and ready to pounce.
The son of Dromana Bucko and Coolavanny Kitty did so at the third turn before easing clear to win in 29.48, some five and a half lengths clear of Seaview Deise.
AN ACE IN THE PACK
Deadly Ace justified odds-on favouritism in Heat 4 to make it three for the Timahoe Terror.
Assuming control at the second turn, Garry Hannon’s son of Signet Ace and My Little Ivy eased on to win by six lengths from Burnchurch Elle in 29.40.
SOBER MAKES IT FOUR FOR KAROL
Bricken Sober completed the Ramsbottom four-timer in the final heat, turning second to Rays Choice before making his move on the third turn.
Another member of the Sober Glory/ Sober Pearl litter, Bricken Sober went on to beat Rays Choice by a length in 29.58.
BORDER SCORES
The remaining heat went the way of Ned Lennon’s Liberty Border.
The son of Jacob Tashadelek and Luminous Acre was never far off the speed before going to the front before the third turn. He then eased on to win by five and a half lengths from Getoutofit in 29.77.
CARTIER A TOUCH OF CLASS
Racing ended with three exceptional displays from some very promising youngsters.
Kilara Cartier certainly had plenty in hand in the ON3 opener, winning by a street as he stopped the clock in a superb 28.95.
Trained by Michael Donnelly for Philip O’Keeffe, the son of Signet Ace and Kilara Diamond shot from three, belying his inexperience to post a rapid 4.29 sectional. Clear long before the corner, he powered further and further clear to see off Ratchies Panther by twelve and a half lengths. Have no doubt, he will be of huge interest to prospective buyers and is clearly a very bright hope. It’ also worth remembering he won’t be two years of age until March.
BULBA LOOKS POTENTIALLY VERY SPECIAL
Taras Bulba and Annual Bucko also displayed real promise in the semi-finals of the KGOBA Open Unraced with the former going particularly quick as he stormed clear to win by a mile in a sizzling 28.91 for Alison Bandurak and Michael O’Donovan.
The son of Ballymac Cashout and Ballyverry Sarah was electric. Despite a moderate start from four, he flew into the bend to force his way to the front. It was a decisive move from the hugely promising youngster. He proceeded to draw right away to win by an ever-increasing fourteen and a half lengths from Lacken Jacob.
It was a brilliant start to his career and few will be surprised if he develops into a really top class tracker in the future.
BUCKO DOMINATES
Annual Bucko didn’t go as fast but was impressive all the same for John Wilson.
A well built son of Dromana Bucko and Annual Coco, Annual Bucko shot from traps and was in charge from the opening stride.
Crossfield Josh gave chase throughout but there was no stopping Annual Bucko, wo emerged a four and a halflength winner in 29.15.