TEMPESTADE CEMENTS STATUS AS ONE TO BEAT IN KILSHEELAN STAKE

Peter Farrell

For the second week running, Tempestade set the standard in the Kilsheelan Gallop A3/A4 Guys & Dolls stake with another polished performance for Larry Dunne and Graham Holland.

Given that the September 22’ whelp posted a rapid 28.49 in last week’s opener, it was hardly surprising to see him installed as the 4/5 favourite to make it back-to-back wins, however, he was made to work hard in the early proceedings. Breaking well from one, Tempestade was matched early on by Pandereto in five and the two came together at the opener. Holding his inside line well, it was Tempestade that barged his way through and in doing so, the son of Droopys Sydney and Rural Aloha quickly excelled into a four length lead. Drawing clear, the split was an impressive 16.21 and he maintained a relentless gallop to cross the line nine lengths clear of Pandereto in second. Considering the early bump, the time was a fine 28.65.

HEAT WATCH

In the opening heat of the second round, Blueway Storm (Malachi - Cloncunny Eye) justified his 4/6 favouritism with a fast finish for trainer David Whelan. Jointly owned by Thomas O’Neill and Michael Ryan, ‘Storm’ also scored impressively in 28.54 last time out but was made to work hard as Ascot Noah set a blistering gallop. However, despite lots of traffic at the penultimate turn, Blueway Storm managed to avoid this as he finished at speed to collar ‘Noah’ by one and a half lengths. The time was 28.90.

Trained by Dave Bourke for Conor Sherry, Peteshesquick (2/1) made it four career wins in heat three as she produced a fine display to put her rivals to bed. Disputing early from five with Monroe Bella, ‘Pete’ swooped the opening bend to course around runners and in doing so, she was well on her way to landing the spoils. Making every post a winner thereafter, the daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and Last Lady stayed on stoutly to record a four length victory over Vine Cottage Pet in second. The time was 29.14.

David O’Neill got in on the act in the concluding heat as Chamberlain Lily bounced back to winning ways. Running from trap four, the 2/1 chance could only manage a midfield berth early on as Still My Honey set a soaring gallop out wide. Still plenty of work to do entering the penultimate turn, the inside parted like the red sea and this allowed the daughter of Good News to quickly excel into second. Finishing best of all thereafter, ‘Lily’ stormed past her rival to win by a half length, in a time of 29.37.