SHOCKS APLENTY IN RIVERSIDE KENNELS CHRISTMAS CUP

Peter Farrell

There were plenty of shock results as the second round of the Riverside Kennels Munster Christmas Cup continued at Clonmel on Friday night but something that was not surprising was the performance of Swords Hero as he bounced back from his opening round defeat in emphatic style.

Trained by Graham Holland for Barbara Lowndes, Swords Hero was hugely eye-catching in round one despite being beaten by Im An Exile in a blistering 28.27 and he went into many notebooks as a result. Indeed, the aforementioned ‘Exile’ re-opposed on this occasion in heat four, however, the tables were to be turned this time around as Swords Hero pounced late to score. Sent to traps as the even money favourite to reverse the form, the son of Droopys Sydney and Rural Aloha was again slowly into stride from trap three but he showed fine determination to follow the fast-starting Im An Exile around the opening bend. In doing so, the race that everyone wanted was on as the fancied pair went toe-to-toe down the back with just one and a half lengths separating these two magnificent trackers. However, at the midway point Swords Hero was absolutely flying and he was screaming for racing room as he loomed large on Im An Exile on the approach to the penultimate bend. Going for a daring run up the inside, this proved decisive for Swords Hero as he tracked expertly to steam up the inner of I'm An Exile and run out a brilliant winner. Staying on strongly to record a two and a half length winner, the time was 28.68, which was the fastest of the four heats on offer. The final qualifier was Glenhead Jack in third.

FERN DOWNS TEMPESTADE

In the opening heat, Tempestade was expected to land the spoils but he had no answer to Knockroe Fern as he made every inch to score.

Owned by Eamonn Lloyd, Knockroe Fern (Ballymac Best - Rosmult Racer) was second best in the opening round behind Haydeezrebel but was an eye-catcher in defeat, giving the impression he still had plenty to offer in this competition. Tempestade was understandably installed as the 2/1 favourite, however, he missed the kick by his standard and, in contrast, ‘Fern’ showed sizzling early speed to outpace his rivals in the early exchanges. As a result, the 5/2 chance built up ahead of steam and he opened a six length lead down the back to stop the third-bend sectional clock in 16.19. Staying on well thereafter, Tempestade did make late inroads, however, it was too little too late as Knockroe Fern crossed the line three and a half lengths clear, in a fast 28.73. The final qualifying position went the way of Vivaro Ceyian.

MONGYS WINS, LUCKLESS JULIES OUT

Heat three was a five-dog affair and it was Mongys Belle that emerged a good winner for owner Michael Spillane.

Julie's Gem was installed as the 7/4 favourite in this contest and she looked well on her way to victory after blasting from a tricky draw in five to lead. However, cruel luck at the opener saw Westside Ranger and Julie's Gem get tangled, in turn leaving both trackers occupying the rear positions at the opener. In contrast, Mongys Belle benefited greatly from the traffic and the daughter of Roxholme Olaf was left in front midway down the back. Two lengths clear of Syds Button at this point, the 3/1 chance took her chance with both paws thereafter as she never looked under pressure in staying on strongly to secure a one and a half length victory over Syds Button in second. The final qualifying position went the way of Dakota Drive in third and the time was 28.87.

RUBY LEAVES IT LATE

In the remaining heat, heat two, Danish Ruby prevailed for Fergus Slattery.

Another five-dog affair, Danish Ruby was a 2/1 market chance with Yorkie Ollie understandably installed as the even money favourite for the sponsors in trap one. However, the favourite took a tumble at the opener, ultimately ending his chances of progressing any further in the stake. In contrast, Haydeezrebel was in charge at the opener and he looked certain to make it back-to-back wins from trap two. Danish Ruby had other ideas. Showing excellent stamina prowess, Slattery’s charge came with one final push in the closing yards to get up in the shadows on the post to win by a short-head, in 28.95. Mustang Marydel secured the final qualifying spot in third.

CAMPION HAT-TRICK

On the undercard, there was a notable treble for local trainer Paraic Campion as Hollyhill Max, Boozed Mac and Boozed Debra all notched victories in their respective contests.

The first tracker to score came in the curtain raiser as Hollyhill Max (Coolavanny Hoffa - Hollyhill Tess) scored for owner Gerard Gubbins. Sent to traps as the 5/4 favourite to get his career off to the best possible start, ‘Max’ didn’t break too fluently from four and he sat some seven lengths adrift off both Seefin Top and Giglis Freya down the back. However, ‘Max’ showed fine determination to go about his business in a professional manner in behind as he ate into the lead, before arriving late to win by a half length. The time was 29.96.

The double was completed by Boozed Mac in race three as he justified his 4/6 favouritism. Running from trap one, the handy 66-pounder bolted from red and he quickly established a comfortable lead rounding the opener. Five clear of Barra Toffee down the back, the son of Ballymac Bolger and Road Queen wasn’t for stopping thereafter and although the lead was halved crossing the line, this was a comprehensive first victory for ‘Mac’ as he stopped the clock in 29.14.

The treble was completed by Boozed Debra in race six as she too justified her 6/4 price tag for Campion. Reverting to the two-bend trip on this occasion, the daughter of Ballyhimikin Jet and Sober Butterfly was returning from a layoff but she showed no signs of any rust as she outpace her rivals early on, before soaring up the Clonmel home straight to win by an extending seven lengths. The time was a brisk 16.31.