OUTSTANDING ORLA LEADS LIAM BRUSSELLS CHARGE AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

There were just eight races on offer at the Connacht venue on Saturday night, however, it was a case of quality over quantity as the semi finals of the Liam Brussells Memorial A4/A5 525 produced two impressive performances.

Lemon Orla is in the midst of a purple patch at present for Cork handler Tom O’Neill and she duly made it three wins on the spin as she came from last to first in the second semi final. Installed as the red-hot favourite at odds of 4/7 after a polished win in the opening round, ‘Orla’ got off to the worst possible start as she walked from trap one before almost hitting the deck in the early exchanges. However, the daughter of Jacob Tashadelek and Foyle Lucy, jointly owned by TJ Lyons and Noel Crowley, quickly showed her superiority as she nestled into fourth rounding the opener, before stepping on the gas down the back straight to reel in the leader Burkos Breeze. In doing so, Lemon Orla drew clear around the bottom two bends and she quickly manufactured an unassailable lead in the closing yards to cross the line five and a half lengths clear of Uphill Climb in second. The time was 29.09 .10s and given the start that Lemon Orla had, one would suggest that this lady has at least another thirty spots up her sleeve.

GOB SMACKED JUSTIFIES SUPPORT

In the opening semi final, the favourite also obliged as Gob Smacked justified her 1/2 billing for Donal Duggan, Mary Flynn and Irene O’Sullivan.

Forced to settle for second in behind Ard Roxy last time out, Gob Smacked was to reverse the form on this occasion in spite of her poor exit from trap four. The early lead was disputed by Burnpark Taylor and Ard Roxy, however, Duggan’s charge tracked like a veteran to nip up the inside and turn a close third. Quickly asserting within a matter of strides, the daughter of Broadstrand Bono and Blacklabel Magic proved a class above thereafter as she pressed home her advantage down the back, before cementing her victory by crossing the line four and a half lengths clear of Ard Roxy in second. The time was 29.32 .10s.