Rycot Tales tell of a loss at Monmore
The stage was set for yet another exciting series of 480m greyhound races at Monmore Green Greyhound Stadium last night. The 12-race card featured some terrific competitors, and some thrilling finishes.
The first race of the night was an A10 race held at 19:25. Going into the race, odds makes listed Rycot Tales Told and Ballymac Lucy as joint favourites with 5-2 odds. The two dogs were expected to have a one-two finish atop the standings, but it was not meant to be. The favourites finished the race in fifth and sixth position, respectively. Both dogs are relative newcomers to British greyhound racing, and their records have been less than impressive thus far.
Sourcey Shootout, who was staked at 3-1 odds pre-race, was the winner, moving quickly away from the pack to finish in 29.72 seconds. The second-place finisher was Makemeafortune (7-2), who finished only ¾ lengths behind Sourcey Shootout with a time of 29.78. Had Makemeafortune won the race, he would have certainly lived up to his name.
Third place went to Johnny Hooker (8-1), whose 30.02 finish out of trap one was three lengths behind second place, while Dingle Harvester (7-2) placed fourth. He finished the race in 30.12, placing him 1¼ lengths behind Dingle Harvester. Co-favourites Rycot Tales Told and Ballymac Lucy brought up the rear in fifth and sixth place. Rycot Tales Told ended up with a time of 30.30, which was 2¼ lengths behind the fourth-place finisher. Ballymac Lucy finished in 30.74, 5½ lengths behind Rycot Tales Told.
Next up on the card was an A9 race at 19:39. This race also featured a poor performance by a favourite. Avoidance was the 2-1 favourite pre-race, but managed to avoid first place by finishing fifth. In four races at Monmore, the rookie placed first and third, but missed two others.
Avoidance’s loss ensured that the price was right for Andreas Prices (5-1), who was the winner of this race. He finished with a time of 29.51. 2½ lengths behind Andreas Prices was Ballymac Sun (3-1), who finished the race in 29.71. In third place was Rosemary Queen (5-2), whose 29.83 finish was 1½ lengths behind second place.
Holycross Ellen (5-1) placed fourth in 29.95, and was behind third place by only 1½ lengths. Avoidance, the fifth-place finisher, was two lengths behind Holycross Ellen in 30.11. In the last spot was Monkspath Mufti. He finished the race in 30.23, 1½ lengths behind Avoidance.
The favourites continued their failure to win in the 20:10 A8 race. Leonardos Rumble, whose odds were listed at 6-4 before the race, turned in a disappointing performance by finishing in fourth place. He has only managed seven first-place finishes since August 2009.
The win went to Ballidrum Spirit, a 9-2 long shot, who finished in 29.67. Lynam (4-1) lined up a second-place finish in 29.73, which was just ¾ lengths behind the winner. Third place went to Raparee Agassi (9-2) by a shoulder, who also finished in 29.73. Fourth place was also won by a shoulder, with favourite Leonardos Rumble finishing the race in 29.74.
Hope Diamond’s (3-1) fifth place finish was neither hopeful nor glittering, with a time of 29.90. This put her 2 lengths behind fourth place. Tyrones Rocket (4-1) ran out of fuel and finished in sixth with a time of 30.14, putting him 3 lengths behind Hope Diamond.
The greyhound racing action at Monmore Green Stadium will resume on 28 August at 18:38. Racing fans will be treated to another exciting 12-race card with some of the sport’s most fascinating competitors.
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