HANOVER GORM LANDS WGOBA DECIDER

Peter Farrell

There was €1,300 on offer to the winner of the WGOBA A3/A4 525 at Galway Greyhound Stadium on Friday night and it was Hanover Gorm that emerged a worthy winner.

Coming into the event, Lissatouk Robbie was installed as the 6/4 favourite, although it was a relatively open betting affair with Hanover Luna next best at 2/1 and Breaghmore Joeys available at 5/2. It was 3/1 bar those three.

At traprise, Hanover Luna flew from trap two and looked set to make it back-to-back victories despite the early intentions of Ballygibbon Fury on the run-up. However, ‘Luna’ ran off at the opening bend, handing the initiative to kennel companion Hanover Gorm, who seized the opportunity by driving up the inside to take control.

From there, Leeanne Fleming's charge always looked in command as he set a strong gallop down the back straight. The son of Slippery Robert and Ballyhale Chloe effectively sealed the contest approaching the third bend when edging across the improving Breaghmore Joeys, before maintaining his momentum on the demanding Galway hill. Staying on strongly throughout, Hanover Gorm crossed the line two lengths clear of Breaghmore Joeys, with the staying-on Lissatouk Robbie taking third. The winning time was a smart 29.29 on a track rated 20 slow.

Attention now turns to tonight's card at Galway Greyhound Stadium, which features three standout contests in the shape of the final of the Sean Scully Memorial 525, the decider of the July ON2/ON3 350, and the BOYLE Sports Irish Derby Trial Stake A1 550.