CHARLIE HAS CHARM AND PACE

Barry Caul

Tuesday’s card at Shelbourne Park featured some fine displays, including a couple of big runs by the many newcomers on show.

The undoubted highlight was the display of Charming Charlie. 

The impeccably well-bred Charming Charlie (Droopys Sydney/ Susie Sapphire) made a real impression over the sprint in an ON1 contest.

The familiar team of Peter Comerford and Owen McKenna had little to worry about as Charlie flashed from traps and made every yard. Posting an impressive 5.99 split, Charlie was some eight lengths clear of Ohtheretom and Poppys Queen at the line in 18.63.

ROBBIES A FLYER

Shea Campbell is no stranger to success over the sprint trips, and he introduced a highly promising youngster in the shape of Robbies Flyer (Dromana Bucko/ Ballymac Sanjose) to land the second semi in a slick 18.78.

It was Mufasa who was first to show, edging to the middle of the track on the run to the corner and slightly hampering the eventual third, Epic Jack, in the process. Meanwhile, Robbies Flyer ranged up on the outside of Mufasa on the opening bend and shot to the front. To his credit, Mufasa and Epic Jack both closed on Robbies Flyer up the home straight, but Shea Campbell’s runner, who happens to be a half-brother to former Oaks and Laurels champ Crafty Shivoo, was always doing enough and held on by a length. There seems no doubt there are three promising youngsters to follow.

A DOUBLE FOR PILLAR LADS AND BYRNE

The Pillar Syndicate and trained David Byrne enjoyed a fine double on the evening as Jacktavern Quick (28:81) and Jacktavern Susie (29:21) won semifinals of the April Monthly Novice ON2.

Epic Hermes (28:98) won the last of the three semis for Maria Kennedy.

TAYLOR TRIUMPHS IN DUAL DISTANCE DECIDER

David Murray’s Clonbrien Taylor won the final of the A4 525/550 Dual Distance for owner William Delahunty.

There was some trouble on the opening bend where hot favourite Coonough Laura suffered interference but Taylor shot to the front off the second bend and stayed on well to open her account by three lengths over the unlucky in running Coonough Laura with Kerlouge Jet back in third. 30:31 was the winner’s time.