ORLA ROMPS TO LIAM BRUSSELS SUCCESS

Peter Farrell

Boasting €1,800 to the winner, the final of the 2024 Liam Brussels Memorial 525 concluded at Galway on Saturday night and Lemon Orla made it three straight victories as she won comfortably for Cork handler Tom O’Neill.

Jointly owned by T.J Lyons and Noel Crowley, Lemon Orla ran an unbelievable race in the semis as she recovered from an early stumble to still prevail and she understandably was installed as the 1/3 favourite to make it four straight wins and indeed five wins from just six career starts. Donning the white jacket, ‘Orla’ was again only moderately into stride, however, she displayed her fantastic early pace to navigate between runners and turn a close second behind Burnpark Taylor. In doing so, the daughter of Jacob Tashadelek and Foyle Lucy quickly hit the front and within the blink of an eye, she opened a three length lead over her rival. Thereafter, it was a matter of how far for this lady as she upped the ante around the bottom two bends, before drawing clear on the run for home to storm to a six and a half length victory. Burnpark Taylor ran a gallant race to claim second, however, was no match for the winner as she stopped the clock in 29.00 .10s and claim a deserved victory in the decider.

IN OTHER RACES

The semi finals of the Parade Jackets ON2/ON3 525 got underway earlier on the card and Half Jarred was the standout performer for Paul Brussel’s as he made a blistering start to his career.

Just a May 23’ pup, Half Jarred was flawless in qualifying and he was duly installed as the 5/4 favourite to make a winning start to his career. Drawn in six, the son of Ballymac Cashout and Crescent Tibet made his intentions felt from the outset with a devastating turn of early speed to quickly take charge on the run-up. In doing so, ‘Jarred’ drew clear down the back and he stayed on in brilliant fashion to cross the line eight and a half lengths clear of Annadown Tommy in second. The time was a rapid 29.24 .10s.

Donal Duggan’s kennel has been in fine form and he recorded another double later in the card as Petes Noah and Washington Sky both prevailed. Owned by Peter Russell, Petes Noah was the first to score as the 5/2 chance came from off-the-pace to win in style. Chasing Thisisthelife throughout, the son of Burgess Bucks and Notimetotalk took over between the bottom two bends to stay on well and win by two lengths from the equally staying-on Bumblebee Granny in second. The time was 29.22 .10s. In the very next race, Washington Sky (Slippery Robert - Clodaghs Legend) produced the quickest time of the night as Vincent Sweeney’s tracker arrived with a wet sail to bring up his half dozen. Running from four, the 3/1 chance had no answer to the early pacers in the opening exchanges, however, benefited from traffic to round the bend in second. Lissatouk Dave was setting a monstrous gallop at this point and looked the likely winner, however, ‘Sky’ wore down the leader to cross the line with a half length to spare. The time was 28.99 .10s.