Blackstone Ollie (Ballymac Vic-Blackstone Mini, Aug 15) made a sensational return to the track on Thursday night at MONMORE.
The Pat Rosney trained coloured dog, whose disqualification for fighting caused a huge row during the Betfred Gymcrack, showed no sign of misbehaving when winning a 480m open by more than five lengths. He went from blue . . .
Now an adult, Ollie had been beaten in two races in Ireland but looked a serious player for the open race circuit with a ‘FON’ of 28.12 on normal going. (Next best was Tax Boost’s 28.40).
Quickest over the 630m course was the much travellled Jetts Holly (Milldean Panther-Kathleens Holly, Sep 14).
The former Towcester A1 and Nottingham A1 grader stepped up on an impressive Monmore win with a 38.00 victory for Chris Jones. She ran from stripes and would be followed home by favourite Vatican Rocco (6-4f T4).
It says much for big reputations when defeat is the night’s biggest talking point. That was the case at HOVE on Thursday as the track’s fastest four-bender this year, Donation, was beaten in a £500 bitch’s final.
The 1-2f ran from trap four with Rackethall Jess (Droopys Scolari-Leamaneigh Breda, Sep 15) in three.
Although the favourite appeared to have a problem, it should take nothing away from the 29.85 (-10) three and a bit length winner. John Mullins’ bitch arrived from Ireland with a big reputation having been an odds-on, short head, runner-up in the Puppys Oaks Final at Shelbourne Park.
Hove’s other £500 decider went the way of puppy Punkrock Rambo (Paradise Madison-Highview Grace, Nov 15).
Ken Tester’s 4-5f went from red. .
The winner’s time was 28.03 (-20) with On The Sozzle a six length second.
All footage courtesy of GreyhoundsNow
