SECRET AND BILLY LAND BAR 1 BETTING IRISH SPRINT CUP SEMIS

Ian Fortune

The stage is set for a fascinating Bar 1 Betting Irish Sprint Cup decider next weekend following two wonderful semi-finals at Dundalk on Saturday night.

Montana Secret atoned for a third round defeat but emerging a superb standard-setting winner of the second heat, while Rallying Billy caused something of a surprise when dominating in the opening semi-final.

BILLY PUTS THE FOOT DOWN AT BOXES

Rallying Billy would have been available at a decent price for the opening heat but he read the brief and did what was needed.

Flashing from two, he was soon in charge for Chris Delaney and owner Dan Flynn.

Tiermana Dream was favourite from trap five but missed the start and had to recover into the bend. Buddy Bruno was second early but it was Looking Splendid that looked the main threat as they hit the turn.

After a slow start, Looking Splendid displayed great pace into the bend to sit right on the heels of Rallying Billy only to lose his footing before taking a tumble. Suddenly, Rallying Billy found himself in a more comfortable position. Tiermana Dream had also moved well into the turn and he sent second but Rallying Billy was in control and h stayed on well to emerge a five and a quarter length scorer in 21.12. Tiermana Dream was second with Buddy Bruno another two and a half lengths away in third spot.

SECRET SHOWS HIS CLASS

The second heat was a wonderful spectacle with Montana Secret finding a way to come out on top.

The Other Wild and Barefoot On Fire broke fastest to dispute the early lead but were soon joined by Bomber Nina and Montana Secret.

Bomber Nina got the better of Barefoot On Fire into the turn, while Montana Secret also advanced on her right shoulder. By the turn, the duo had just gone to the front and were duking it out. Montana Secret stayed wide of his rival and ran a superb opening bend to edge on. It would prove a decisive factor.

Trained by Johnny Linehan for Barry and Martin O’Reilly, the son of Signet Ace and Droopys Alice maintained a powerful gallop to the line to contain the best efforts of Bomber Nina by a length in 20.97. Veteran tracker Barefoot On Fire again stayed on strongly to qualify in third, a further length and a quarter adrift.

Bar 1 Betting Irish Sprint Cup

Final draw

1 BAREFOOT ON FIRE

2 MONTANA SECRET

3 RALLYING BILLY

4 BUDDY BRUNO

5 BOMBER NINA

6 TIERMANA DREAM (M)