Unbelievable Rocket Impresses At Clonmel

I for one thought that last week’s run was a once off, no way could I see 28 seconds being broke for the second week in a row in Clonmel.

Unbelievable Rocket
Oh how wrong I was! Clares Rocket was simply breathtaking. He didn’t exactly get off to a flying start but once his front two paws hit the sand he was away. Going up as straight as a gun barrel from trap four the Rocket quickly opened up a two length advantage by the time he reached the first turn.

This fellow seems to run the bends as hard as he runs the straights which enabled him to gain an extra length on the field. When you look at the dogs he dragged down the far side it really makes you appreciate the calibre of greyhound he really is.

The dog that finished second to him Anopheles is a Puppy Derby winner who recently rattled the 570 yard clock in Tralee so stamina isn’t an issue yet the Rocket beats him six lengths. When the third bend sectional flashed up on the infield clock (15.87) we knew the time was going to be saucy.

27.97 was the winning time, there were gasps from the packed stand. Anopheles and Coolavanny Wendy finished second and third both recording near 28.40!

Heats
Tynwald Dinney got Graham Holland off to the best possible start in the opening heat. This turned out to be the most exciting race of the night. Tynwald led to the corner from Mountaylor Queen in second place with the latter railing well and gaining ground on the inside. These two raced neck and neck down the far side with Mountaylor showing slightly better foot into the third bend.

Tynwald however had the best racing line on the outside so was able to race up alongside Mountaylor at the last corner. There was a tremendous buckle to the line with the photo going the way of Tynwald Dinney by the minimum of margins in 28.78. Razldazl Tierna claimed the third qualifying position.

The second heat on Sunday night went the way of Droopys Nine. The comments on his card read QAw,ALd. Nine was one of last season’s top puppies with wins at both Clonmel and in the Kingdom Derby at Tralee.

Nine got away to the quickest possible start from trap four and led to the corner from the race favourite Skywalker Manner in trap one.

Cutting the corner beautifully, he chopped the nose off Skywalker which caused the latter to run off a bit.

Crohane Ronnie found himself in second position down the far side but was all of three lengths off the leader. Stamina mightn’t be Droopys Nine’s best attribute but he didn’t look like stopping up front as he kept up a strong gallop to go on and take this heat by five lengths in an impressive 28.33. Crohane Ronnie ran a career best to finish second while Collage Paradise kept on for third.

Escape To Victory
The final heat of the night was won in dramatic fashion as the Owen McKenna trained Escapism out battled Jo Jo Fantasy on the run to the line. Badly drawn in five, Escapism was lucky he missed the kick as trap six A Day Late paced up well to the corner cutting inwards. Local runner Nomadic Leader challenged the pace setter off the second bend and they actually had a bit of a coming together with Nomadic coming off the worse.

As they passed the sprint boxes Nomadic seemed to go wrong and checked up badly just avoiding the runners behind him. Escapism had luck on his side so was able to get a run into second position. This fellow is all about stamina so when he got sight of the leader you knew he was going to be close.

He ranged up beside the leader approaching the last corner and looked to be home and hosed but we didn’t spot the late run of Jo Jo Fantasy on the inside. Escapism had to pull out all the stops to hold out and get the verdict by half a length in 28.68. A Day Late held on for third.

Semis
Looking ahead to next week’s semi-finals, Clares Rocket can lead all yet again in this red hot first qualifier. Drawn in five he should have too much early pace for these rivals.

He can lead home a Holland 1-2 as Jo Jo Fantasy gets the verdict to fill the runner up spot.

Coolavanny Wendy can claim the remaining qualifying position. Something has to give in the second semi, there is super early in it. Escapism drawn in one can benefit most if the early pacers have any bit of a coming together. Droopys Nine and Razldazl Tierna can battle for second and third.

English Derby
Fourteen Irish remain in the draw for the second round of the English Derby. Five of the top ten in the ante-post market are Irish trained so here’s hoping they can continue to dominate. We are currently 13/8 an Irish winner. All sixteen second round heats are priced up and available, the first eight heats take place on Thursday with the remaining eight on Saturday.

All the specials are also revised, one that really catches my eye is Jaytee Dutch at 6/1 to be the last remaining Irish runner! Jaytee Jet looks to be the banker of the round in the final heat on Saturday night, this is only a five dog race and he should have the outside of the track to himself. Prices for all the specials, heats and ante-post markets are available online www.boylesports.com or pop into any one of our shops nationwide! #BetOnBoyle

*Prices correct at time of publication.