HERO SETS THE McCALMONT PACE

Ian Fortune

Rathfalla Hero was fastest of the four heat winners in the second round of the McCalmont Cup at Kilkenny on Friday night, showing real determination to overcome early traffic.

Cheque For Sir, Bonkersinyonkers and Bogger Dusty came home in front in the remaining heats, leaving a strong twelve ahead of next weekend’s semi-finals.  

HERO SHOWS HIS METAL

Rathfalla Hero, owned by Thomas Whelan and Denis Hughes, was actually fastest into stride in the final heat and led into the turn, only to be joined by Delirium Tremens.

Forced to check his stride, Rathfalla Hero was relegated to third but remained close enough to have a big say at the finish.

Delirium Tremens was joined into the third turn by the advancing Sawdust Storm, who then seemed the most likely scorer but Rathfalla Hero had other ideas. The David Flanagan trained son of Grangeview Ten and Ballybrack Lexi charged home to get up in the closing yards.

Rathfalla Hero took the verdict by a half length from Sawdust Storm in 29.17. Rural Kihei was another length adrift in third.

YONKERS GOES BONKERS OUT FRONT

Next fastest was Bonkersinyonkers as she made all after a fast start in Heat 2.

Representing Murt Leahy and the McLean Avenue Syndicate, the son of Droopys Sydney and An Cailin Alainn was pursued throughout by Deadly Crusader but emerged a comfortable two and a half length winner in 29.26. Millroad Bolger was best of the remainder in third, a length and a half further back.

DUSTY DELIVERS

Liam Peacock’s Bogger Dusty drove the first bend to take charge at the second turn in Heat 3.

Pulling away to halfway, the son of Droopys Biker and Mustang Swift had matters well in hand. He galloped all the way to the line to score by three lengths from Droopys Kamari in 29.33. Cunnigar McQueen was just two and a half lengths further back in third.

CHEQUE DOMINATES

The ever-consistent Cheque For Sir did what was necessary in the opening heat.

He was challenged around the opening two bends by Tribal Syd but forced his way to the front as they entered the back straight.

Once taking over, Cheque For Sir always had those in behind at arm’s length. Trained by Karol Ramsbottom for the Cash Back Syndicate, the son of Droopys Sydney and Yahoo Ava emerged a length and a half scorer in 29.44. Burgess Canon was second with Seek The Kingdom another half length back in third.