EXCEPTIONAL FRIDAY FARE IN DUBLIN
Ian Fortune
Shelbourne Park was the place to be on Friday night with the twelve race-card offering so much entertaining action.
From start to finish there were performances of real quality, including in each of the three finals up for decision.
BRISTOW BOUNCES OUT
The richest prize on offer was in the final of the This Runs Deep A1 525 and Bristow followed up his semi-final victory with a comfortable trap to line success.
Representing Liam and Debbie O’Rourke, the son of Laughil Blake and Ales Smile flew into the turn to set the pace and he kept on finding out front to contain the persistent Coolavanny Story by a length in 28.76. Twilight Call was two and a half lengths further adrift in third.
WINDOW SHINES
Headinthewindow emerged a good winner of the Upcoming Events A2 Bitch 525, flashing from trap four to dominate for Michael O’Donovan and Murt Leahy.
The daughter of Good Cody and Drifting Abby always had her rivals at arm’s length before going on to win by a length and a half in 28.65. Location was a good second with Smile That Smile third.
MAGIC FROM UP FRONT
The final of the Bet with the Tote A3 525 saw the Francie Murray trained Up Front Magic come through to score.
Import Duty set the pace from five but Up Front Magic slipped around in third but soon found himself chasing the pace-setter in second.
Motoring into the third turn, Kathleen Murray’s son of Dromana Bucko and Date Due took over before edging on to win by three lengths in 28.69. Dear Me came through for second with Boyne Road third.
ALDO SHOWS HIS CLASS
There were Derby clues aplenty on offer in the finale with former Irish Sprint Cup champion Carrick Aldo showing his class to see off a brilliant field.
The David Murray trained star went up fast to just contain Clonbrien Treaty and the pair had a great tussle to the third turn.
With the three-time classic winning Clonbrien Treaty steering a middle to wide path, Carrick Aldo made the most of the inside line to extend his advantage. Phoenix Memphis ran a huge race to get involved but Carrick Aldo stayed on best of all to win by a length in 28.31. Phoenix Memphis was second with Clonbrien Treaty blowing away the cobwebs another length adrift in third.
METAPHOR AND FERGIE STRIKE FOR GLEESON
There were two fine displays in the semi-finals of the Upcoming Boylesports Derby Dual Distance with Robert Gleeson sending out both Droopys Metaphor and Carrick Fergie to clock 28.50.
Droopys Metaphor (Dromana Bucko/ Droopy Zero) flew into the turn to open a clear lead and he would go on to hold Prince Naseem by three lengths.
The second heat was won in similar fashion by Carrick Fergie. Thomas Glynn’s son of Dorotas Wildcat and Droopys Zero proceeded to see off Ridgemount Sonic by three lengths.
MOLLY LEAVES HER BACKERS SINGING ALONG
Earlier on the card, Singalong Molly looked a bright prospect when setting the standard in the semi-finals of the RCETS A1 Dual Distance over 575yds.
Representing the lucky combination of Gilbert Anderson and Pat Buckley, the daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and Blundel Bridie soon took control and eased on to beat Good Izzy by five and a half lengths in a fast 31.16.
SHAY SLIPS AROUND
Coolavanny Shay displayed fine track craft on the opening bend to emerge a good winner of the opening semi-final for Daniel Kerr and Michael Taggart.
Once going to the front, he could never completely put the race to bed but did stay on well to hold the persistent Ballinabola Jake by a length in 31.68.