HOLIDAY AND BOGGER STAR AT KILKENNY

Ian Fortune

Front runners captured both semi-finals of the Champion Open Unraced at Kilkenny on Friday evening with Another Holiday and Bogger Bible both making every inch after a fast start.

The Michael O’Donovan trained Another Holiday posted a brilliant 28.74 in the second round and it was probably a bit much to expect him to repeat that effort but, not only did he match it, he bettered it. Again, flying from traps, the son of Dorotas Wildcat and Vigorous Lindsey flew up the middle of the track to dominate from the outset. Deadly Crusader and Yankee Doodle were closest for much of the way but Pablo Escobark flew home to take second spot.

There was no stopping Jack Roche’s Another Holiday, however. The October ’20 whelp again displayed massive promise and ability as he held off the fast-advancing Pablo Escobark by a length in a stunning 28.71. Deadly Crusader was the same distance away in third.

NO PRAYERS NEEDED FOR BIBLE

Bogger Bible won in very similar fashion for Liam Peacock in the second semi. Making a good start from the inside box, the son of Skywalker Farloe and Bottle Of Banter disputed the lead into the turn alongside Fennis Trigger before asserting on the bend.  

Droopys Gravy also improved his position into the turn to move second and he gave chase throughout. It was futile, however. Bogger Bible maintained a strong galop throughout to emerge a comfortable four and a half length scorer in 28.98. Fennis Trigger grabbed the third qualifying spot, a further four and a half lengths adrift.

Champion Open Unraced

Final draw

1 PABLO ESCOBARK

2 ANOTHER HOLIDAY

3 DROOPYS GRAVY

4 BOGGER BIBLE

5 DEADLY CRUSADER (M)

6 FENNIS TRIGGER (M)