ALL ABOUT SEVEN BEACH IN THE DROOPYS STUD SELECT STAKES

    ALL ABOUT SEVEN BEACH IN THE DROOPYS STUD SELECT STAKES

    Barry Drake

    SEVEN BEACH is certain to start as favourite for next Saturday night's final of the €10,000 to the winner Droopys Stud Select Stakes after the Jennifer O'Donnell trained runner set the standard in the semi-finals on Saturday night. 

    It was all pretty straightforward for the 4-6 market leader as he led early, pulled clear on the back straight and he came home well clear, in 28.41. Barefoot on Song was next best, five and a half lengths back with two lengths back to Glengar Martha in third place. Owned by the Beach Boys Syndicate, Seven Beach will take plenty of stopping in next weekend's feature final.

    MESSY FIRST BEND

    It was messy at the first bend in the opening semi-final, but that didn't stop Down To Business as the Bernadette Connolly trained runner went on to land the spoils for owner Sharon Mulcahy.

    Just in front heading into the opening turn, the 6-1 shot took a bump from Shanahee Boomer, but he recovered quickly and he led down the back straight. Road Exile was in the mix out wide, but the winner had all the answers upfront. Keeping on best, Down To Business held Road Exile, by a length, in 29.08. Ballinabola and Shanahee Boomer crossed the line together in third, just half a length back.

    ALL ABOUT TWENTY BENSON

    In the final of the €1,450 to the winner Nolan, Farrell & Goff Solicitors A3 Stake Final, it was Twenty Benson who ran out a fantastic winner for trainer Michael Donnelly and owner the Babe Magnets Syndicate. Following up on last week's impressive victory, the short-priced 1-2 favourite produced another flying start to win the early lead. In truth, the outcome was never in doubt. A 28.72 winning run, two lengths back to Toker Paulie in second place.

    DOUBLE FOR SCOTT PHELAN

    Trainer Scott Phelan produced two smart winners on the night. Harlequin Gee Up looks like a youngster going places after the July puppy ran out a wide-margin winner of the third. The 4-6 favourite displayed stunning early speed and he proved a different class to the A5 grade. All one-way traffic up front, the exciting talent clocked 28.60, 14 and a half lengths clear of his nearest rival.

    Phelan doubled up in the ninth, Paw McGrath winning for owners the Between The Ditches Syndicate. The 6-4 joint favourite made the most of what looked like a drop in class to return to winning ways. In front right away, Paw McGrath was locked in an early battle with Coolemount Ger and he kept finding upfront. Pulling out all the stops, Paw McGrath battled well to score, in 28.83, a length clear of Coolemount Ger.