ROYAL THE STANDARD-BEARER IN DUNDALK’S ROYAL STAKE

Ian Fortune

With a whopping €4,000 on offer to the winner of the Up The Royals A2/A3 525, it was perhaps no surprise to see a number of superb runs from improving trackers at Dundalk on Saturday night.

Rather fittingly, the fastest winner was Royal Hotshot as she emerged a clear winner of Heat 2 for Nalin Monerawela and Lorraine Hyde Banning.

Making the most of an inside draw, she would go to the front as they hit the back straight before going on to win by a length and a half from Sals Sapphire in 28.57.  

JOHNSON AND HOFFA A MATCH ON THE CLOCK

Next fastest were Graham Kelly’s Beretta Johnson and Paul Ryan’s Blackstone Hoffa.

The former hit the front soon after halfway before holding off Blacknose Celt for a half length success in 28.68.

The Michael Taggart trained Blackstone Hoffa won in similar fashion, striking the front before the third turn to see off early pace-setter Tahina Adam by four lengths in 28.68.

DOMINICA AN EASY WINNER

On a night when his half-brother was winning a heat of the BOYLE Sports Derby, Dominica won the opening heat for Tina McGrane and Michael McGovern.

The son of Dorotas Wildcat hit the front on the second turn before going on to score by seven and a half lengths in 28.76.

DA PUCA FLOATS HOME

There was much to like about the manner in which Da Puca won Heat 4.

A long way off the pace for much of the way, Patrick McConville’s daughter of Ballymac Cashout would cut through the pack in the closing yards to get up for a half length verdict over Matts Meraki in 28.77.

RUBY LEAVES IT LATE

Frisky Ruby also came from off the pace to win the final heat for Brendan and Ethne Mullan.

Third for much of the way, she would charge up the straight to score by a head from Robbies Goal in 28.95.