IMPRESSIVE TRIALS AHEAD OF RACING AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

With the Derby less than a fortnight away, there were plenty of interesting trials at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night. The most eye-catching trials came from Droopys Faithful, Grouchos Chief, Bills Harbour and Ballymac Ralf.

The last named trialed over the 550yd trip, moving well as he posted 29.45. The inexperienced Grouchos Chief looked a serious prospect in the early rounds of the Puppy Derby, only to make his exit in the semi-finals. He trialed over 525yds and moved with real purpose as he stopped the clock in 28.10.

Not far behind him on the clock was Bills Harbour. After some serious runs through the early rounds of the Tipperary Cup, the son of Grangeview Ten had his first look at Shelbourne Park and flew around in 28.17.

Droopys Faithful hasn’t been seen since taking a tumble in a sprint contest last month at Tralee but she left scorch marks on the sand as she posted a sizzling 18.38 for the 350yd sprint trip.

Others to trial included Roarin Ogara 29.77 (550yds), Sure Exile 29.72 (550yds) and Curraghmoredaisy 18.83 (350yds).