EXILE A RUNAWAY WINNER OF RIVERSIDE KENNELS CHRISTMAS CUP
Peter Farrell
The last big pot of 2024 was on offer at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium on Sunday night as the final of the €6,000 to the winner Riverside Kennels Munster Christmas Cup came to a conclusion and it was Im An Exile that landed the spoils in terrific fashion for owner Andrew Lynch.
Im An Exile set the standard in the opening round when romping to a red-hot 28.27 clock, however, she found life difficult thereafter as she was forced to play second fiddle to the brilliant Swords Hero in the two subsequent rounds. As a result, the latter came into the decider as the even money favourite, however, it was a case of roles reversed as I'm An Exile proved flawless on the night that mattered most and she crossed the line to emerge a very comfortable winner for connections.
Sent to traps as a 10/3 chance, Im An Exile had produced a miraculous recovery in the semi finals to slip through in third and that ultimately proved crucial seven days later as she returned to a more favourable draw in trap two to ping out and shave some three lengths off her semi final opening sectional. In doing so, Lynch’s charge raced into the opening bend in command, while next in line were the likes of Mustang Marydel, Tempestade, Knockroe Fern and Dakota Drive, who were all pacing up similarly in behind. In contrast, Swords Hero was luckless at traprise as he went up with the boxes, in turn ending any hopes of making it a hat-trick of wins in the event.
ONE WAY TRAFFIC
At this point, Im An Exile had already stolen a march on her rivals and with space very much at a premium at the opening bend, traffic ensued which allowed Im An Exile to skip into a three length lead over the determined Mustang Marydel in second. The field fairly strung out at this point, ‘Exile’ extended her lead to five lengths approaching the penultimate bend and she stopped the third-bend sectional clock at a rapid 16.08. Mustang Marydel continued to give chase in behind, however, she was now coming under pressure from Tempestade, who was showing eye-catching pace in third.
A WORTHY WINNER
While the minor placings were still very much up for grabs, there was to be no doubt about the winner. A most dominant display was capped off in real style on the run for home as Im An Exile, a daughter of Burgess Bucks and Trusted Exile, pressed home her commanding advantage to cross the line five and a half lengths clear of Mustang Marydel in second. Tempestade ran a fine race to finish just a neck further back in third, while the clock stopped in a rapid 28.48. Congratulations are extended to Andrew Lynch and appreciation much also go to the Riverside Kennels for stepping in to sponsor such a brilliant stake which capped off the year in style at Clonmel.
*****
CHAMBERLAIN HAT-TRICK ON THE UNDERCARD
Elsewhere on the card, there was a brilliant hat-trick of wins from the kennel of David O’Neill.
The first of the O’Neill trackers to emerge victorious was Chamberlain Suzy (2/1) in race two as she came from off-the-pace to score. Only moderately into stride from trap three, ‘Suzy’ tracked expertly at the opening bend to slip through in third but she still had plenty to find on the early leader, Ruling Spice. However, showing the superior stamina at the business end, the daughter of Good News and Wolfofallstreets came with a wet sail to call the judge into action and seal a short-head victory. The time was 29.11.
Next up was Chamberlain Ruby in race five, which was an A3 525-yard event. Sent to traps as one of the outsiders at 5/1, ‘Ruby’ had this contest sewn up from the outset as she came away with intent from trap one to make the early running. In doing so, the daughter of Newinn Taylor and Keplar Fourteen maintained a strong gallop to emerge three and a half lengths better off than Popular Monto in second. The time was identical to her kennel companion, 29.11.
The hat-trick was completed in the very next race as Chamberlain Anne came out on top at odds of 11/4. Drawn in one, ‘Anne’ used her inside berth to her advantage as she slipped around in front after both Ascot Benny and Radioactive Boy bumped when challenging. As a result, the daughter of Pestana and Glenegat Mildred took a two length lead down the back and she stuck to her guns well to see off the staying-on Tullovin Duchess in second. The time was 29.05.