IGB Open Unraced - Sunday, January 4th
FLINTOFF’S MAIDEN HIT
There is invariably a major first round performer in the IGB Open Unraced Stake at Clonmel and this time we had to wait until the second last of eleven heats for the 2009 headline-maker. The dog was Albert Draper’s Magna Flintoff who went to traps a 1-3 favourite and duly scorched home by eight and a half lengths from Mohane Katie in a sizzling 28.69.
Magna Flintoff is a January ’07 son of Brett Lee and Farloe Princess and is trained by Graham Holland who went on to complete a double when Cornmallow Whizz took the final heat in 29.56. This Niall Murphy owned son of Top Honcho and Respectable Lady had two and a half lengths to spare over Dolittle Prince.
Generally, times were fast on Sunday evening and next best was Tom Henebery’s Ballybrazil Turk in 28.80. The Jim Scully trained son of Yeah Man and Ballybrazil Tara was too strong for his rivals and won by six and a half lengths from Elbony Ice Cool.
There was a good battle in Heat 9 which resulted in the Peter Cronin trained Global Hope (Droopys Maldini/ Jethart Baby) beating Kingsmill King by half a length in 28.87 with the Holland trained Georgeisgorgeous two and a half lengths back in third.
The opening heat of the evening resulted in Mairead McGrath’s Clash Youmaysay defying another Holland runner Schnozza. Clash Youmaysay, a son of Black Shaw/ and Clash Diva, scored by a length in 28.93.
The other qualifier saw the Michael O’Donovan trained Bourne Masons (Roanokee/ Honchos Trix) scored a convincing four and a half length victory over Attanagh Flash in 28.96.
Lifford Finals - Sunday, January 4th
TROY FOR ALEX
There were no less than five finals run at Lifford on Sunday evening and most valuable was the 1,370 Euro Christmas Cracker A3 575 where the Alex Kennedy owned Demesne Troy justified his rating as a 2-1 favourite. Quickly away, the son of Top Savings and Demesne Chaz was then passed by Cornamaddy Flyer but rallied strongly to get back up for a length and three parts victory in a smart 31.55.
First on the agenda was the A4 525 and here the 1,200 Euro prize was claimed by Jim Brady’s Sparkling Luke in 28.88. This Pat Kelly trained son of Droopys Maldini and Dynasty Beauty chased Conlig Violet throughout but stayed on strongly for a two and a half length verdict.
Next came the Novice 750 decider which carried a winner’s prize of 1,200 Euro. The 2-5 favourite was Michael Calvert’s Cals Action but this daughter of Top Honcho and Cals Tonic came through strongly at the finish to grab Goodview Cool late for a neck victory in 42.73.
The favourite was again on the mark in the A2 525 final as the Tom McAreavey owned Mica Blue (Hondo Black/ Baby Hazel) came through to beat the reserve Carmac Yank by three parts of a length in 28.99.
Another to make up significant ground to grab the laurels was Pat Hanna’s Keiths Baby (Honcho Classic/ Cold Rose) in the 850 Euro A1 575 final. Canon Star set the pace but Keiths Baby got up to win by a length and a half in 31.73.
Tote Gold Collar - Friday, January 2nd
MARY COPS IT
Mary O’Callaghan’s Have Some Cop was an all the way winner of the 12,500 Euro Tote Gold Collar final at Harold’s Cross on Friday.
The son of Top Honcho and Tutie Frutie got away smartly from trap two and led around the bend from Rosminion. The latter challenged all the way to the line but Have Some Cop held on bravely for a neck victory in 30.57. It was another length to Daleys Buzz in third.
There was a top class supporting card and the most valuable race was the 1,500 Euro A1 570 final. Here the Liam Hughes owned Cuil Running (Head Bound/ Princely Lady) was a runaway winner as he led home Westway Glory by eight lengths in 31.58.
The prize on offer in the A2 525 final was 1,250 Euro and the Joe Murray trained Split Shift (Dalcash Black/ Just For Penny) just got the best of a thriller as he edged out Knockard Honcho by a short head in 29.60.
The Seamus Graham trained Ballincur Lady (Top Honcho/ Corrig Nikita) made her early pace tell as she justified favouritism in the final of the D2 750. The 5-4 favourite was in control all the way a she ran out a four and a half length winner from Wannabuyadog in 42.80.
The other final on the card was the A5 525 and here the Michael McCormack trained Zoes Queen (Hondo Black/ Katies Direction) was another winning favourite as she just edged it from Ask Blue by a neck in 29.77.
Tralee News - Friday, January 2nd
A LIVE RECORD
Shakira Live set a new track record for the 750 yards at Tralee on Friday when winning the Select Bia Fastfood Restaurant 750 in 41.70.
The former record holder Iflookscouldkill was in the line-up but she could only finish second, beaten three lengths by Shakira Live. The time was an improvement of nine spots on the old record established by Iflookscouldkill in July 2007.
Shakira Live is a September ’05 daughter of Honcho Classic and Aughrim Side and is trained by Chris Houlihan for Sarah Gallagher.
Bob Daly Memorial - Friday, January 2nd
JACK’S THE LAD
Clearwater Jack claimed the 1,550 Euro prize when the final of the Bob Daly Memorial A1 Stake was run at Youghal on Friday.
Clearwater Jack went off a 3-1 co-favourite with Stone Rig Rascal and Knocknalyre Jim but it was Hawthorn Expert that showed the way. However Clearwater Jack proved too strong and came home a length and a half clear of Hawthorn in 29.11, with Compass Honey half a length third.
The winner is a July ’05 son of Larkhill Jo and Cooly Pantera and is trained by Denis Fitzgerald for Lauren and Cameron Whyte.
DROHANS BAKERY – Sunday December 28th
JOHN’S BAKERY MODEL
It was Drohans Bakery night at Clonmel on Sunday where a number of sweepstake finals were decided. One of the most popular winners was John Fitzgerald’s Dunbolg Model as she completed her unbeaten path through the Drohans D1/2 750.
The Owen McKenna trained Dunbolg (Big Daddy Cool/ Premier Tina) went off the 5-4 favourite and duly led home Forge Blue by two and a half lengths in 42.05.
Earlier in the evening Denis O’Donovan’s Denross Boy (Droopys Kewell/ Masgrove Mist) won the Drohans S1/2 Sprint when having a length in hand of Ballymac Jason in 16.38.
The last of the Drohan finals was the A2 525 and here the prize was claimed by Carmel O’Sullivan’s Claires Yaris, the daughter of Honcho Classic and Glenoak Nikita coming home three lengths clear of Bolas Negras in 29.26.
MARY BRIDGET DUNFORD MEMORIAL - Sunday, December 21st
MIKE’S MEMORIAL
The Stephen Potter trained Sunshine Mike ended a long losing run when winning the 1,350 Euro Mary Bridget Dunford Memorial final at Clonmel on Sunday.
The January ’07 whelp went off a 9-4 co-favourite of three and duly got the better of his two main market rivals, coming home a length and a half in front of Return Bound in 29.24, with Kranky Leona just a length back in third.
Sunshine Mike, a son of Mineola Farloe and Sunshine Sophie, is owned by Michael and Janet Smithson.
Mardoc Holdings Golden Jacket Classic - Sunday, December 15th
MARDOCS ROMPS HOME IN MARDOC DECIDER
The smile on the face of sponsor Denis O’Connell told its own story on Sunday night at Galway Stadium and he and son Cian accepted their own prize after Mardocs O Shea had captured the 35,000 Euro Mardoc Holdings Golden Jacket final.
O’Connell has been a very generous sponsor of racing at Galway track for a number of years and this was his second year as sponsor of the Golden Jacket. To win his own event was surely a special thrill and he received a great reception from the very large attendance.
It was quite a special night at the western venue with a great atmosphere and some superb racing. The final was the eleventh race of a marathon twelve race programme and there was a lively market with Tyrur Lee going off the 6-4 favourite.
However supporters of the favourite quickly knew their fate as he appeared to charge the traps and was last to hit the ground. But Slick Spiral made no mistake at the boxes and he led out narrowly from Mardocs O Shea and the pair raced almost together to the bend.
Black Spiral led into the far side but Mardocs O Shea was much too close for comfort. Drawing upsides as they raced around the third bend, Mardocs then hit the front and raced right away to win by three and three quarter lengths in a very smart 31.30. Kerrydale Celt finished strongly to take second money by two lengths from Slick Spiral in third and it was just a head to Tyrur Laurel who showed terrific pace along the back straight.
Mardocs O Shea is a son of Go Wild Teddy and Hoffmans Ticks and is trained by Frances O’Donnell for Denis and Cian O’Connell.
This was the second leg of a double for the O’Donnell kennels which were also on the mark with The Other Sonic when winning an Open 575 in 31.56. Local trainer Gerry Holian took the open sprint with Revenue Teddy in 19.18.
Pat Buckley scored an open double as Target Kewell won the 525 event by over three lengths from Ronnies Hustle in 28.61, while Droopys Teabag then held on well in a 575 to lead home Toledo James in 31.44.
The semi-finals of the 5,000 Euro to the winner John Morris Track Bookmaker A1 525 semi-finals were won by Denis Hannon’s Springwell Bend in 28.80 and Theresa Mitchell’s Calla Princess in 28.76.
HAROLD’S CROSS – Friday, December12th
TOTE GOLD SHOCKS
It proved to a long and frustrating night at Harold’s Cross on Friday. With the three heats of the Ted Hegarty Marathon going off as planned, the hare then shuddered to a halt before the first bend in the fourth contest, an Open 525. The problem was caused by a deluge of rain just prior to the race.
It was an hour and a quarter later before the fifth race was run and the track was running very slow. It resumed with the Seamus Graham trained Pennylane Flash (Ballymac Maeve/ Ballymac Minnie) in 18.07 and the syndicate owned Bungy (Droopys Vieri/ Carn Pride) in 17.86 winning the heats of the www.fpnconstruction.com Open Sprint.
Then followed the second round heats of the Tote Gold Collar and a succession of shocks which saw hotly fancied Ballymac Bondi, Ballintine Drum, Gas Magee, Cuil Class, Dundrum Minor, Laytown Lady, Accordello, Top Louis and Doitfordawn all fail to progress to the semi-finals.
The track was conservatively rated .40 slow for the four heats and fastest was the Davy Reynolds trained Ball Of Twine (Top Savings/ Isntshesupple) as she beat the dead-heating pair Daleys Buzz and Droopys Maestro by three and a half lengths in 30.71.
The opening heat saw Tony Byrne’s Florida Rooster (Larkhill Jo/ Scorduff Fairy) beat Droopys Cambyses by five lengths in 30.97 while Jerry Melia’s Try To Catch (Droopys Kewell/ One Cool Girl) led home fellow 6-1 chance Have Some Cop by a neck in 31.28 in a race that produced plenty of talking points. The remaining heat went to Francie Murray’s Call Late as he beat Rosminion by three and a half lengths in 30.91.
GREYHOUND & PETWORLD KINGDOM DERBY- Friday, December 12th
FERMOYLE KINGDOM FASTEST
John Sugrue’s Fermoyle Honcho (Top Honcho/ Dreghorn Lassie) led the way in the semi-finals of the Greyhound & Petworld Kingdom Derby at Tralee on Friday.
Fermoyle Honcho (went off a 4-1 chance but showed decent early pace to lead on the bend from the favourite Attykitt Admiral and then went on to win by two and a half lengths in 28.51. It was another two lengths to Everybody Saidno.
The first semi saw Compass Smash (Crash/ Blues Best Buzz) complete a great night for owner/ trainer Stephen Wadsworth when rallying strongly to pip Ballymac Bull by a head in 28.84. Ballymac had led from the second bend to the final strides. Allmightyjack recovered from a slow start to finish a two length third.
Wadsworth had early won both semi-finals of the Kingdom Derby Purse with Compass Don in 28.92 and Compass Mikey in 28.70.
Ted Hegarty Marathon – Friday, December 12th
FLYING A RUNAWAY WINNER
Chris Lund’s Flying Winner displayed her class when turning the third semi-final of the Ted Hegarty Marathon into an absolute procession at Harold’s Cross on Friday night. Come On Bob led for the first circuit before Flying Winner stormed to the front.
From here Flying Winner pulled right away and her margin at the line was fifteen lengths in a time of 58.00. Has Wings finished second, two lengths in front of Rough Quest with Ferdia Bound a head third. The winner is a daughter of Flying Penske and Wise Winner and actually ran her first few races around Harold’s Cross.
Paul Hennessy’s Hello Hippy ran out a very easy and impressive winner of the opening heat in 58.35. Come On Larky cut out the running from Saving Jamie but the latter hit the front at the fourth bend. Then the Gerry Lundberg owned Hello Hippy (Tyrur Ted/ Happy Said So) really clicked into gear and she shot past Saving Jamie into the fifth bend.
From here Hello Hippy stretched clear and went on to win by nine lengths from Saving Jamie in 58.35, with Ardagh Charm another length adrift in third.
There was a major upset in the second heat where Navan Blue didn’t qualify for the final. The red-hot favourite had every chance but didn’t run up to expectations. Instead it was the Chris Houlihan trained Shakira Live (Honcho Classic/ Aughrim Side) led for much of the journey to reach the final for a second year on the trot, having finished fourth last year.
Shakira Live was chased all the way by Give Ita Chance but the latter was caught on the line and pipped by a short head by his litter sister Ashwood Dancer. Shakira Live’s time was 59.17 and the margin of victory was a length and a half.
TRAP DRAW -* Final to be run Friday, December 19th
1 Shakira Live
2 Saving Jamie
3 Has Wings
4 Flying Winner
5 Hello Hippy
6 Ashwood Dancer (m)
SUPPORTERS CLUB A5 575 FINAL -Sunday, December 7th
Sean’s Major Success
Sean Morrissey’s Lissakyle Major was the star of Sunday’s show at Clonmel when winning the 2,200 Euro Supporters Club A5 575 final.
The son of Droopys Vieri and Lissakyle Fairy was winning his fourth race from five career outings and looks a really decent prospect. Going off the 9-4 second favourite, Lissakyle Major led all the way when beating Compass Glenys by seven lengths in 31.60.
Ted Hegarty Marathon – Friday, December 5th
WINNER SHAVES SPOT OFF RECORD
Flying Winner set a new track record when winning her first round heat of the Ted Hegarty Marathon at Harold’s Cross on Friday but she was made to dig deep in order to win the second heat from Ferdia Bound.
Flying Winner raced in fourth place early and was still third on the seventh bend as Ferdia Bound showed the way to Saving Jamie. But the Chris Lund trained Flying Winner then unleashed a big finishing run that carried her to a two and a half length victory over Ferdia Bound in 57.67, with Saving Jamie another two lengths back in third. The time of 57.67 bettered the old track record set by Debidee Lane by one spot.
But the first heat saw the record take a real shaking as the Sean Devlin trained Navan Blue was a runaway winner in 57.77. The daughter of Elite State and Hi Dash took it up from Shakira Live at the fifth bend and powered clear to win by almost ten lengths from Shakira Live, with Come On Bob some two lengths back in third.
Another fine run was turned in by the Ann Guilfoyle trained Has Wings as she beat Rough Quest by a length in 57.93 in the fifth and final heat. Things looked good for the favourite Rough Quest when he hit the front off the fourth bend but Has Wings (Honcho Classic/ Wing Wonder) was moving well in second and she pounced late to take it.
The Paul Hennessy trained Hello Hippy was the banker for many and she duly turned Heat 3 into a procession. Gerry Lundberg’s Hello Hippy (Tyrur Ted/ Hippy Said So) hit the front on the fourth bend and quickly pulled clear to win by ten lengths from Ballysimon Madam in 58.55.
There was a second British trained winner when Denis Curtin’s Ardagh Charm (Hallucinate/ Appleby) unleashed a big late run to win Heat 4 in 58.56, Pretty Nicola chased Ardagh Charm home with Kenpo Star two and a half lengths adrift in third place.
TOTE GOLD COLLAR - Friday, December 5th
BONDI THE TOTE SAVIOUR
The punters took a real hammering in the heats of the Tote Gold Collar at Harold’s Cross on Friday and it was capped by a 16-1 victory for Mary O’Callaghan’s Have Some Cop in the concluding heat.
The one bit of solace for the punters was provided by the Liam O’Rourke trained Ballymac Bondi (True Honcho/ Lady Lenson) in the opening heat as he led from the first bend to beat Laytown Lady by three parts of a length in a fast 29.90.
From there it was all down hill. Favourite Top Louis walked out of traps in the second heat but ran on well to finish third. Victory here went to the Kevin Losty trained Doitfordawn (Black Shaw/ Chestnut Lotty) while held Try To Catch’s persistent effort by a length and a half in 30.52.
There was a real turn up in Heat 3 where Michael Mulleady’s Navajo Hailpin (Crash/ Elton Village) held the challenge of Call Late and then held off the flying finish of favourite Dundrum Minor by half a length in 30.21.
The fancied Forest Baby took a tumble in the early yards of Heat 4 and Stitch In Time (Droopys Scholes/ Precious Jewel) shot ahead to complete a double for trainer Losty. The favourite Accordello challenged all the way but Stitch In Time held on for a two length margin in 30.30.
So the final heat where Target Kewell was the 11-10 favourite but the trap one factor struck. He walked out of traps and never looked like getting into contention. Meanwhile Have Some Cop (Top Honcho/ Tutie Fruitie) took it up and refused to concede, finally holding the effort of Droopys Maestro by two lengths in 30.30.
GREYHOUND & PETWORLD KINGDOM DERBY - Friday, December 5th
BULL THE KINGDOM FASTEST
Shane Dowling’s Ballymac Bull (Ballymac Maeve/ Ballymac Minnie) posted the fastest time in the second round of the Greyhound & Petworld Kingdom Derby at Tralee on Friday. Ballymac broke fast and led all the way to beat always second Attykitt Admiral by a couple of lengths in 28.50, with Evons Murralli two and a half lengths third.
The James Roche trained Sprint Cup winner Allmightyjack (Tucks Mein/ Lethal Claudia) was another all the way winner when holding the challenge of Fermoyle Honcho by half a length in 28.55. Everybody Saidno was a length third.
The Owen McKenna trained Bellmore Ranger (Head Bound/ Artesian Snowy) took it up from Compass Honey at the third bend in Heat 3 and went on to win by three lengths in 28.62.
In the final heat the inside draw proved crucial for the Ray Fleming trained College Finsceal (Go Wild Teddy/ College Tina) as the field were virtually in a line to the bend. College Finsceal went on to beat the strong finishing Compass Smash by two lengths in 28.64.
AIB Bank A1 575 – Friday, November 21st
BRENNANS FASTEST IN AIB
Brennans Pride may be well into his fifth year, but he is still as sprightly as ever and on Friday night the Brendan Murphy trained powerhouse posted the fastest semi final time in the AIB A1 575 at Newbridge, in turn claiming his twenty fourth career success.
Sent to traps the even money favourite, the powerful black led from the start to come home with 4 lengths to spare over Sober Scholes in 31.59. Liquid Sunshine went closest to his time when beaten Fagans Wish by a length and a half in 31.63 in Heat 2, while Good Ahane stayed on best of all to win the final heat by 2 length from Allen Pride in 31.88.
Tom Daly Consultants Unraced 525 – Friday, November 21st
HAWK A PROSPECT
Willie O’Connor unveiled a very promising youngster in the form of Henrys Hawk at Waterford on Friday night in the Tom Daly Consultants Unraced Stake. The well bred son of Ace Hi Rumble and Droopys Williams was obviously well thought of prior to his first start as he went to traps a 1-3 chance and duly obliged in style.
Leading throughout he came home with 12 lengths in hand on his nearest rival, Cool Linda, in a slick 28.60. Clearly this is a litter to keep an eye on, as his litter brother, Droopys Vinny, won his racing debut at Harold’s Cross in October, posting 29.25.
Henrys Hawk may not have things all his own way in the decider however as the opening semi final saw William Phelan’s massive Ballyneale Brett (Brett Lee/ Rhincrew Zara) leading from the start to score in 28.91.
For the record, the third heat saw Tigroe Mentor (Daves Mentor/ Knock Princess) emerge on top. Despite stumbling at boxes, he came through to land the spoils by 5 lengths in 29.40. Expect this well bred sort to also improve greatly in the coming weeks.
KENILWORTH MOTORS A2 570 – Friday, November21st
SPRINGMOUNT GOES LOCO AGAIN AT THE CROSS
After posting new figures for the 570yd trip at the Cross last weekend, Springmount Loco continued his rise up the ranks with another dominate display in claiming the €2,500 Kenilworth Motors A2 570 on Friday night.
The powerful son of Big Daddy Cool is a galloping machine and once leading around the corner he never looked under threat. Credit must go to Try To Catch, who chased him hard throughout, but the Peter Cronin trained Springmount Loco was simply too good on this occasion and he eased clear to cross the line with 4 lengths in hand in 31.42 on a track rated .40 slow. Keep an eye out for this fella in the future.
THURLES BOOKMAKERS CHAMPION BITCH STAKE - Friday, November21st
JOSIE IMPRESSES AGAIN AT THURLES
Defending champion Hillcroft Josie maintained her unbeaten record in this year’s Thurles Bookmakers Champion Bitch Strake when once again impressing as she came home a mile clear of her rivals on Friday night.
The daughter of Larkhill Jo certainly seems at home around Thurles and again she made light work of her assignment, leading from the opening corner for an easy six and a half length victory over Lemon Razza in a fastest of the round 28.76.
Light Shift made an ideal draw on the fence count in Heat 4. After a slick exit, she was always in the driving seat. Sadie Vieri ran well to give chase throughout, but Light Shift dug deep to hit the line with a length in hand in 28.82. Maireads Fantasy was a further length and a half adrift in third.
The clash of Danmar Pudsy and Rising Smoke delivered a belter in Heat 3 with the former just getting the better of her rival. The pair had a battle royal throughout, but Danmar Pudsy called on extra reserves of strength on the run in to land the spoils by a neck in 28.98.
Earlier in the evening Lughill Jewel impressed when coming home clear in Heat 2. Leading throughout, she saw off Her Eyesare Blue by six and a half lengths in 28.94.
On paper the opening heat was perhaps the most competitive of the night and the potent finishing kick of Borna Del saw her add to her already hefty reputation. In a thrilling finish, Borna Del got up late to beat Wilcos Sonia and Plan by a neck and a shorthead in 29.19.
Lassa Experience had never won a race at Thurles, but she put that stat to bed in the final heat when coming home clear of her rivals headed by Semolina. Leading from the drop of the hat, Lassa took the verdict by two and a half lengths in 29.10.
HPW Super Sprint - Sunday, November 16th
ARMAGH VIERI WAS SUPER
Armagh Vieri claimed the biggest prize of his career at Lifford on Sunday night when running out a convincing winner of the €7,000 HPW Super Sprint. Luck hadn’t been his ally in previous outings, but despite suffering defeat in his both the quarter and semi finals, the powerful son of Droopys Vieri was sent to traps the 6-4 favourite.
Those that backed the favourite knew from an early stage that he meant business. Coming away smartly from trap four, the August ’06 whelp assumed control before the opening turn and he proceeded to come home with a length and a three quarters in hand on Roseville Sparky in 18.62, with Trygal Joe a further 5 lengths adrift in third.
Also on the card were the semi finals of the North West 600 and again the black jacketed runners were worth following. The progressive Must Be Keano dominated in the opening heat after a fast start. The Fraser Black trained star came home five and a quarter lengths clear of Tullymurry Darcy in 32.73, while Dartrey Spring won the second heat by a similar margin. Taking charge down the back, he went on to beat Crown Captain by five and a quarter lengths in 32.85.
KENILWORTH MOTORS A2 STAKE - Friday, November 14th
LOCO’S NEW RECORD
Waterford trainer Peter Cronin has a new star on his hands in Springmount Loco which set a new track record for the 570 yards at Harold’s Cross on Friday. Contesting a semi-final of the Kenilworth Motors A2 Stake, Springmount Loco led before the first bend and drew away to win by seven lengths from Nikitas Daft in 30.97.
A finalist in the Diarmuid Coffey Unraced Stake at Youghal, the Noreen Quilty owned son of Big Daddy Cool and Springmount Doll was very impressive when winning his first round heat last week but moved up a gear or two on this occasion when producing a clock that is an improvement of four spots on the old record held by Analyse.
In the second semi-final the Liam O’Rourke trained Feora Rambler (Goldmine Rumble/ Keepers Filly) had a length in hand of All Tied Up in 31.59 while the third qualifier saw the Jerry Melia trained Try To Catch (Droopys Kewell/ One Cool Girl) gain a convincing seven length victory over Cupids Risk in 31.27.
Earlier in the HX card the 2,000 Euro A3 525 final was won by Echo Lady in runaway style. The daughter of Brett Lee and Graigues Echo dominated the contest and had seven lengths to spare over Shes A Legend in 29.11.
There was a prize of 1,250 Euro for the final of the A6 525 and this was claimed by the Jayne Hegarty trained Kilmessan Honcho at odds of 7-1. the son of Top Honcho and Talita Beauty came home a couple of lengths clear of Millies Crash in 29.35.
PAKIE COSTELLO & JAMES GLEESON A4 570 - Friday, November 14th
McDONAGH’S BEAUTY
The Francis McDonagh owned Whyso Beauty claimed a fine payday when winning the final of the 3,300 Euro Pakie Costello & James Gleeson A4 570 at Longford on Friday.
The diminutive daughter of Big Daddy Cool and Kiltrogue Beauty was always prominent with Aghagay and led in the final strides for a half length verdict over the staying Trasna Fawn in 31.62, with Aghagay a neck back in third.
BUY A CHAMPION AT THURLES SALES - Friday, November 14th
ROGER’S WINNER
Roger Dwan’s Borna Fastner (Brett Lee/ Armani Pearl) completed her unbeaten run through the Buy A Champion At Thurles Sales 525 when winning the final of the A4 event on Friday.
The 4-5 favourite looked to have it all to do when in trouble on the opening bend but she finished strongly to snatch a half length verdict over Coolera Prince in 29.67.
RED MILLS GRAND PRIZE - Thursday, November 15th
MIKE EYES PRIZE
Fresh from his McCalmont Cup success just six days earlier, Ballygur Mike got the Red Mills Grand Prize off to a flying start at Enniscorthy on Thursday. The evens favourite led all the way for a 3 length margin over Quam Celerrime in 29.06.
The time was equalled by Kitesboy Boy in the concluding heat as ran out a five length winner from Compass Denis. The 2006 Champion Stakes winner Large Mac continued his comeback when beating Daleys Buzz by five lengths in 29.14.
The other heat winners were Green St Lass 29.22, Raz 29.25, Shanacashel Lad 29.26 and Kellymount Max 29.26.
Moran & O’Donnell Newbridge Oaks - Sunday, November 9th
RESERVE PUDSY SCORES AT 10-1
The amazing sequence of shock winners in the major finals all around Ireland this year continued at Newbridge on Sunday evening when reserve Danmar Pudsy grabbed her opportunity in style and gained an all the way victory in 29.02.
Danmar Pudsy only got into the final on the scratching of Longford Lady but she made the most of the reprieve when taking the 8,000 Euro prize at odds of 10-1. There was no fluke about as Danny Potter’s bitch broke fast from two and led up.
There was some crowding in behind on the corner and Danmar Pudsy enjoyed a three length lead down the far side. The favourite Kildallon Maid improved into the third bend but was held up and it proved costly for her followers.
Danmar Pudsy kept on strongly up the straight and held the runs of Zip Fastener and Kildallon Maid by a length and three parts of a length. The winner is a February ’06 daughter of Droopys Scholes and Tyrur Fiona and so is a half sister to 2007 Derby runner-up Tyrur Laurel. There is a strong connection between Danny Potter and the Tyrur team as he is a brother-in-law of P.J. Fahy and has been known to give a hand with the Tyrur dogs.
The Consolation final was won by Jenny O’Driscoll’s 5-1 chance Lady Glenard in 28.99. Again it was all about early pace as Lady Glenard (Head Bound/ You Said So) led around the opening bend and the Mick O’Donovan trained bitch went on to beat Forest Baby by a length.
There was a prize of 1,000 Euro for the final of the Ann & Mick Moran Quick Dash Sprint final and the winner was Peter Raine’s Weather It Wont (Blackjack Tom/ Coolemount Joy) as he won by a couple of lengths from Denross Boy in 17.87.
Another race carrying a prize of a grand was the Ramsbottom Family A3 600 and here the winner was the John Leahy trained Old Mill Wish (Tucks Mein/ Oldmill Angel) as she led all to beat Black Choice by a length and a half in 33.41.
HPW Super Sprint - Sunday, November 9th
SPARKY A SHOCKER
John Byrne’s Roseville Sparky was a shock 8-1 winner of the first semi-final of the HPW Super Sprint at Lifford on Sunday. The daughter of Crash and Adeles Belle flashed from the outside box and led all the way to beat Armagh Vieri and Marty Party by four lengths and a neck in 18.88. The fancied pair of Johnny Gatillo and Hond The Gond were in trouble on the bend and finished at the rear.
The second heat went more along expected lines with 11-4 joint favourite Tyrur Jay proving best. P.J. Fahy’s son of Droopys Scholes and Tyrur Fiona made most of his inside position to win by two lengths from Tyrgal Jo in 19.47 with Richmond Ruler qualifying for the final in third. Joint favourite Pepe Le Pue was slowly into stride and didn’t have the clearest of runs.
The card also featured the first round heats of the North West 600 and the best run came from the Hugh Deery trained Ballyard Timmy in the opening heat in 32.74. Must Be Keano was a close second best when a convincing winner of Heat 2 in 32.89 while the other heat winners were Aislings Choice in 33.17 and Dartrey Spring in 33.62.
KILKENNY - IT'S MIKE'S McCALMONT
Friday, November 7th
There were great celebrations at Kilkenny on Friday night after Ballygur Mike had won the Kilford Hotel McCalmont Cup for owners Billy Hanlon and Henry Kelly.
The son of Droopys Agassi and Big Picture went off second favourite to capture the 3,650 Euro prize and he emerged from the ruck to win by two lengths from Hay Ted in 29.60, with Snow Fall a length adrift in third.
The Paul Hennessy trained Firshill Boy justified favouritism when winning the final of the Graded 700. He had a couple of lengths in hand of Grangepark Girl in 41.80.
YOUGHAL - URSULA's ROCKET
Friday, November 7th
The favourites battled out the finish of the Compass Kennels A5 Stake at Youghal on Friday with the Ursula Knox owned Lounge Rocket taking the 1,200 Euro prize by a couple of lengths from Avaune Thunder.
Lounge Rocket, a son of Jamella Prince and Lemon Sugar, was in front on the opening bend and kept on well for a two length margin over Avaune Thunder in 29.53.
SHELBOURNE – Wednesday, November 5th
PEGASUS HAS WINGS
There were two finals on Wednesday’s card at Shelbourne and Tictac Pegasus gave a superb exhibition of early pace in winning the 800 Euro A4 525 decider in 28.94.
Owned jointly by Faye Harrison and James Rose, Tictac Pegasus (Kiowa Sweet Trey/ Ardaghs Jodie) came away fast but she displayed big early pace to be clear on the first bend. From this point it was really only a question of by how far. Strong Sunrise ran on well but was still two and a half lengths adrift of Tictac Pegasus at the line with Kingtone Angel some four lengths adrift in third.
The other final on the card was the €600 Restaurant & Corporate 525 and here the start also decided matters. Liz Noonan’s Chico Chico (Head Bound/ Ballyroan Flurry) flew from traps and moved straight for the inside from his trap five draw. He was clear around the bend and raced on to win by five lengths from the reserve Camryknowsbest in 29.48.
Another winner to dip under the 29 mark was Billy Connell’s Fawn Express (Crash/ April Miss) in a heat of the Shelbourne A5. He led all the way for a five and a half length margin over Kilmaine Style in 28.96.
It was the first leg of a quick double for trainer Larry Mason who turned out Doggieandgabanna (Ahane Lad/ Catunda Ashley) to win the next heat in 29.43 for Ciara McNeice. Other heat winners were Kings Fable 29.85, Ardavagga Billy 29.41 and Dynamite Stripes 29.36.
NORTH WEST DERBY
COLLEGE BEATEN – BY KENNELMATE
Sunday, November 2nd
Pat Buckley duly won the North West Derby at Lifford on Sunday – but it wasn’t with his 2-5 favourite College Causeway! Instead, it was Target Kewell that led all the way and held off his kennel companion by half a length to claim the 32,000 Euro prize in the fast time of 29.46.
College Causeway was a red hot favourite to win the five-dog race, with Cash Dream an absentee from the two box. Oran Classic was the 4-1second favourite with Forest Master at 7-1 and Target Kewell at 8-1. The
10-1 outsider was Frisky Fantasy.
Target Kewell, a son of Droopys Kewell and Lady Ermyn owned by Craig Dawson and N. Hook, broke fast from the inside box and led up from Forest Master and College Causeway. The favourite lost ground around the opening bends but the came with a big run on the run-in. However Target Kewell held him by half a length in 29.46, with Forest Master another two and a quarter lengths adrift in third.
GATILLO STARS
The card also included the four second round heats of the HPW Super Sprint and fastest was last year’s Sprint Award winner Johnny Gatillo. The odds on favourite led all when b eating Marty Party by two and a half lengths in 18.54.
Next best on the clock was Hond The Gond as he held off the powerful finish of Armagh Vieri by half a length in 18.66.
The first heat saw Tyrur Jay beat Tyrgal Jo by a length and a quarter in 18.89, while Pepe Le Pue finished strongly to beat Forest Patriot by over seven lengths in 18.86. Among the high profile second round casualties were Clonrooske Bart, Kryptonite, So Handsome, Diego Meister and Gingko.
MUNSTER PUPPY CUP FINAL
MALDINI ON THE MARK
Sunday, November 2nd
Eamonn Cronin’s Soviet Maldini was the winner of the 9,000 Euro Supporters Club Munster Puppy Cup final at Clonmel on Sunday.
The son of Droopys Maldini and Soviet Georgia went off at 4-1 but made best use of his trap six draw and then held the late run of the favourite De Bottom Line by a length in 28.81, with Riverside Champ another length adrift in third.
There were a few very fine runs on the supporting card. Stephen Wadsworth’s Compass Mikey clocked a flying 16.01 when winning the Boherduff Light Open 300 by three and a half lengths from Cahills Bar.
Then the Graham Holland trained Rough Quest produced a big run in the 1,015 yard Griddle Bakery Open as he strode to a nine length winning margin over Shakira Live in 58.26.
The first round of the Celtic Bookmakers Open Unraced was run and in the opening heat Michael O’Donovan’s Judicial Audit (Top Honcho/ Proper Lu Lu) clocked 28.72 when beating Glenard Sunrise by three lengths.
In the next heat the Joe Hayes owned Toomaline Jack (Hallucinate/ Mercury Queen) produced another fine debut performance as he beat Skywalker Ghost by six lengths in 28.74.
Just two short heads separated the first three home in Heat 3 as the Shane Murphy trained District Court (Ballymac Maeve/ Ballymac Diane) just edged out O Garney Lar and Deposit Box in 29.19.
Frances O’Donnell’s Ardfert Ammo (Pacific Mile/ Pony Tina) won the Droopys Stud Open 550 when having two lengths to spare over Good Boy Errol in 30.09.
Vetsearch Irish Grand National Final
DISTANT A HURDLING LEGEND
Friday, October 31st
In only his fifth race over hurdles, Distant Legend won the 12,000 Euro Vetsearch Irish Grand National final at Harold’s Cross on Friday.
Trained by John Brennan in Dungarvan for his sister Julie Power. Distant Legend raced to the bend with Billsdad Bill but burst his way to the front on the corner and raced away to win by five lengths from 2007 champion Comans Joe with Priceless Paddy taking third spot.
Billsdad Bill hit the ground in front but Distant Legend got up his inside on the run up and then proved the more determined on the corner. He was chased down the back by his kennel companion The Other Outlaw but already the prize was on its way to Waterford.
Distant Legend powered on to win by five lengths in an excellent time of 29.04. Comans Joe stayed on well for second and it was then a length to Priceless Paddy in third. The winner is a son of Hondo Black and Talktothehand and is a third National winner to be supervised by the legendary Mick Brennan from Dungarvan.
TIMMY’S T.R.
The favouirite was also on the mark in the 4,000 Euro T.R. Motors A1 570 final as Peggie Ryan’s Ballyard Timmy took it up halfway to the bend and proved too strong for his rivals in 31.08.
He was chased into the back by Doitfordawn and Try To Catch but once in front this son of Droopys Kewell and Bower Sheila was never going to be overhauled. Doitfordawn ran on really bravely but Ballyard Timmy had three and a half lengths to spare over Doitfordawn with Try To Catch three lengths away in third. The winner is trained by Huge Deery for Peggie Ryan.
NEWBRIDGE UPSETS
Friday, October 31st
There were two big upsets in the semi-finals of the Moran & O’Donnell Newbridge Oaks on Friday and Longford Lady and Sadie Vieri scored.
In the first heat the Jimmy and Eamon Curran owned Longford Lady got up late to win by a short head from Graigues Toss in 29.38, with Hillcroft Josie three parts of a length back in third.
The second semi saw Kildallon Maid miss the start again and despite traffic problems she made it through to next week’s final. Vidtory here went to John Brennan’s Sadie Vieri which led all the way to win by two and a half lengths from Zip Fastener in 29.12, with Kildallon Maid a length and a half third.
NORTH WEST DERBY SEMI-FINAL - Sunday, October 26th
CAUSEWAY SMASHES LIFFORD RECORD
Having given it a fright in his last three outings, College Causeway smashed the Lifford 550 yards track record when an easy winner of the second semi-final of the North West Derby on Sunday.
His time of 29.31 is some eight spots faster then the record set almost exactly a year ago by Farloe Black and maintained College Causeway’s impressive unbeaten record around the Lifford circuit.
College Causeway went off the 1-2 favourite for the second semi-final with Oran Classic at 3-1 his only serious rival in the ring. And the race was to rest between them also.
Oran Classic, formerly known as An Tochar Blue, got away to his usual fast start and led up but College Causeway was giving chase around the opening bends. College then closed to challenge into the third and went through on the inside to take it up. From here it was typical College Causeway as he went into turbo power and raced clear to win by four and three quarter lengths from Oran Classic in the new record time of 29.31. It was another three parts of a length to Frisky Fantasy in third.
Pat Buckley, trainer of College Causeway, was also on the mark in the opening semi-final where Target Kewell led all the way in 29.90. Target Kewell got off to his usual slick start and led up from Cash Dream and Forest Master.
Cash Dream challenged into the third bend but was forced to check and Target Kewell opened up a gap again. However Cash Dream was running on strongly at the finish where he was a length and a quarter adrift of Target Kewell in 29.90. Forest Master was third all the way and finished just three quarter lengths back in third.
The HPW Super Sprint got underway and the winners were Armagh Vieri 18.63, Hond The Gond 18.66, Clonrooske Bart 18.71, Karma Royale 18.75, Diego Meister 18.65 and Marty Party 18.94.
TRAP DRAW
The trap draw for next Sunday’s North West Derby final is:
1 TARGET KEWELL
2 CASH DREAM
3 COLLEGE CAUSEWAY
4 ORAN CLASSIC
5 FOREST MASTER
6 FRISKY FANTASY
MUNSTER PUPPY CUP
Alert In Clonmel
Sunday, October 26th
The David Flanagan trained Kauri Alert (Moyne Rebel/ Bandicoot Rose) was fastest semi-finalist in the Munster Puppy Cup at Clonmel on Sunday.
Owned by Michael Wray, who also owned the sire, Kauri Alert emerged best from a thrilling finish that saw him beat Shaneboy Lee and Black Gnat by a neck and a short head in 29.23.
The other semi saw Eamonn Cronin’s Soviet Maldini (Droopys Maldini/ Soviet Georgia) win in 29.31. This 3-1 chance held the big run of De Bottom Line by a length while it was just half a length to Riverside Champ in third.
Vetsearch Irish Grand National - Friday, October 24th
LEGEND’S RECORD ROMP
The John Brennan trained son of Hondo Black and Talktothehand flew from trap six and raced to a five and a half length victory over the always chasing Tommy Bahama with last year’s champion Comans Joe four lengths back in third. The time was an improvement of 21 spots on the previous record set by Jimmy The Lad four years ago.
Tony Taylor’s Billsdad Bill was the solitary UK trained winner as he took the opening heat in 29.40. Billsdad Bill led all the way for a two and a half length verdict over Time Me with The Other Outlaw almost a length back in third.
Thomas Lynch’s Leading Layer produced an impressive performance when winning Heat 3. He flashed out of traps and held the run of Woodys Express by two lengths in 29.41, with Sawpit Samurai a length third.
The final heat produced a thrilling battle and it was the Neilus O’Connell trained Razldazl Denys that edged it by a head and the same from Bubbly Magic and Priceless Paddy in 29.32.
Also on the Cross card were the semi-finals of the T.R. Motors A1 570 and the star performer was the Hugh Deery trained Ballyard Timmy (Droopys Kewell/ Bower Sheila) as he led all the way to justify his odds on rating. A fast start set it up as he quickly went clear and raced home a highly impressive nine and a half length winner from Florida Penny in 31.13.
The opening heat saw the Kevin Losty trained Doitfordawn (Black Shaw/ Chestnut Lotty) battle on bravely to get the better of Crash Landing by a neck in 31.38.
Moran & O’Donnell Newbridge Oaks - Friday, October 24th
IT’S MAID IN A RUSH AGAIN
Larry Dunne’s Kildallon Maid continued to set the pace when the second round of the J.P. Moran & T. O’Donnell Newbridge Oaks was run on Friday.
Despite breaking slowly, Kildallon Maid (Premier Fantasy/ Linger) took it up on the fourth bend and stretched away to win by two and a half lengths and the same from Zip Fastener and Sadie Vieri in 28.77.
This time was just two spots faster than Alan Dunne’s Forest Baby (Top Honcho/ Colorado Tina) in the final heat. The Francie Murray trained Oaks runner-up broke fast from four and led all the way for a 2 length victory over the staying Graigues Toss in 28.79. Hillcroft Josie ran on to finish less than a length back in third.
The opening heat saw Tony and Brian Walsh’s Another Issue (Black Shaw/ Dromana Flower) get back on the winning trail as she won in 28.80. The Mick O’Donovan trained bitch took it up down the back and she raced right away for a seven length margin over Danmar Pudsy with Champagne Linda two lengths third.
The other heat winner was Jimmy and Eamon Curran’s Longford Lady (Jamella Prince/ Pass The Two) in Heat 3. This 6-1 chance got away best and led all the way for a length and a half verdict over always prominent Geneva Style in 28.85, with Lady Glenard three lengths third.
Kilford Hotel McCalmont Cup - Friday, October 24th
ASCOT ON FIRE
Billy Murphy’s Ascot Podge (Top Savings/ Ascot Leah) was the shining star in the second round of the Kilford Hotel & McCalmont Cup at Kilkenny on Friday. The Owen McKenna trained 2-1 favourite was much too good for his rivals as he raced to an eight length victory over Mt Leinster Kate in a flying 28.76.
Next best was the Dolores Ruth trained Dundooan Dan (Droopys Scholes/ You Said So) as he had two and a half lengths in hand of Jackos Catch in 28.92.
Ann Guilfoyle’s Mt Leinster Sam (Honcho Classic/ Mt Leinster Beck) clocked 28.93 as he got the better of a driving finish by a pair of heads from Bootsandslippers and Kellymount Max. The opening heat was won by Mary Buggy’s Snow Fall (Mustang Yank/ Lemon Mandy) as he had a length to spare over Ballygur Mike in 29.21.
Galway Action - Friday, October 24th
DON’T MENTION IT!
P.J. Fahy would have derived considerable pleasure from the victory of Nawhobberthadda in the 1,000 Euro Shiven Rovers Buster 575 at Galway on Friday. The son of Top Honcho and Maroochydore has never lived up to his billing of last year but he battled nicely to win this prize.
Getting away smartly, Nawhobberthadda led all the way and held the strong finish of Faithful Laura by half a length in 31.67.
On the same card there was a fine performance from the Eddie Wade trained Rebel Brett as he won an A1 575 in 31.46. The son of Brett Lee and Rebel Babe was always in control and won by three lengths from the staying Moycullen Pride in 31.46.
Curraheen News - Friday, October 24th
PALMETTO IN TUNE
Friday’s benefit meeting at Curraheen Park produced some fine racing and the featured Radley Engineering 575 was won by Palmetto Dukes in a smart 31.35. Andrew and Jessica McCarthy’s son of Droopys Mal and Great Dancer was hampered early but he proved too strong for the leading Shanaknock Black to win by a length and a half.
Best run of the night was the 28.49 from Paddy Meany’s Rapid Express in winning the Noel C. Duggan 525. The Ann Wade trained son of Boherduff Light and Raggletagglerosie got up close home to beat Compass Mikey by half a length.
Dundalk Report - Friday, October 24th
GRANNY’S NIGHT
It truly was granny’s night at Dundalk on Friday when Ronan Smith’s bitch of that name, Grannys Night, won the 800 Euro October A1 620. The daughter of Top Honcho and Corrig Nikita was up there throughout and kept on nicely for a length and a half verdict over Ballymaglave in 34.11.
Recent Lifford Champion Stakes winner Freedom Lark (Head Bound/ Borna Sky Lark) credited owner Des Gilroy with another success as he finished strongly to beat Sudden Halt by a couple of lengths in 28.72 in an open 525.
There was also a smart run from the DDPM Syndicate owned Piladica (Ahane Lad/ Good Luck) as he outstayed Glebe Jamella by half a length in the Happy 80th Terry Kelly 550 in 30.19.
North West Derby - Sunday, October 19th
COLLEGE IN TOTAL COMMAND
College Causeway didn’t let down his growing band of supporters as he powered his way to another hugely impressive victory in the second round of the North West Derby at Lifford on Sunday evening.
Going off at 2-5, College Causeway was handily placed on the bend as Crown Rock led and Forest Master was also very prominent. But it was down the back straight that College Causeway turned it on and he was in front by the third bend before storming clear to win by eight and a half lengths from Crown Rock in 28.48. Forest Master finished three parts of a length back in third while Tyrur Bertie failed to make it through to the semis.
Next best on the night was the John McGee trained Oran Classic (formerly An Tochar Blue) as he led all the way for a near four length victory over Farloe Newborn in 29.69, with Cash Dream over five lengths back in third.
It was the second leg of a double for McGee who was also on the mark with the Pat and Aoife Coffey own