There were a few shocks in the Irish Independent Laurels heats over 525 yards at Cork on Saturday.
The biggest was the elimination of defending champion Vimmerby, who finished stone last behind top local bitch Drive On Royal, who scored in 28.38sec.
Easter Cup finalist Coren Sky was the hot favourite in heat five but veered right on the run-up leading a big gap for eventual winner Blue Cafu to make most in 28.45sec.
Another short priced runner Service Station was eliminated from the event in heat six behind all the way winning Burgess Rumble who did 28.71sec.
Coran Sky’s handler Graham Holland had better luck with his fellow Easter Cup finalist Gaytime Hawk, who stormed home from the third turn in heat to beat Miss Louise by six and a half lengths in 28.16sec, the fastest of the night.
Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Matt also caught the eye in heat ten when he went clear from the start to beat Burnt Le Bec by nine and a half lengths in 28.28sec.
Neilus O’Connell’s Knocktoo Garry was a trap to line winner of the second qualifier, when beating Madra Deas by two and a half lengths in 28.38sec.
Sean Mulcahy’s Greenisle Legend was never headed in heat two when beating Fair Prince by three lengths in 28.55sec.
Jackie Roche’s Rastafari Vic was another runner not to see another dog in heat four when beating Ivy Hill Oscar by three and a half lengths in 28.64sec.
John Kiely’s Mimis Ace caught Trinity Forest close home in heat seven to score by a short head in 28.59snine
Murt Leahy’s Ballybough Mike came late in heat eight to deny Skywalker Echo by a length in 28.54sec.
Mossie O’Connor’s Midtown Raffa came late in the last heat to deny long-time leader Iceroad Driver by a length and a half in 28.74sec.
