RAVEN AND SHERLOCK TAKE OFF AT ENNISCORTHY

Ian Fortune

It has happened that often over the past ten years that it should be no shock that the latest unraced stake at Enniscorthy, the Public House ON2 525, has produced a number of potential stars.

Monday night’s action in the sunny south east saw Coolavanny Raven and Dysert Sherlock really impress in their respective semi-finals of the competition.

RAVEN SOARS

Coolavanny Raven is from one of the fastest families in Ireland with his half comrades including Skywalker Rafa, Skywalker Calvn, Skywalker Duke, Coolavanny Pet, Outnumbered etc and he has many similar qualities to those mentioned.

Trained by Garry Dempsey for Noel Browne, the son of Ballymac Best and Coolavanny Royce has sharpened up with each run and he quickly found himself in front from trap two. Forest Icon turned second and did all he could to bridge the gap.

While Forest Icon did close from the third turn, there was no catching Coolavanny Raven as he emerged a comfortable two length winner in a very fast 28.80. Forest Icon lost nothing in defeat, while the third qualifying spot went to Mooncoin Wildcat, some eight lengths adrift.

SHERLOCK TOO HOT TO HANDLE

Dysert Sherlock didn’t go as fast but did impress in the second heat as he emerged a good winner in a fast 28.87.

Representing the Global Racing Syndicate and trainer Nicky Turner, Dysert Sherlock broke fastest to lead into the turn.

He lost his advantage at this point, taking a bump from Swift Halo. The later moved on and led the field into the back straight but Dysert Sherlock was soon back in front. Showing big pace down the back straight, the son of Ballymac Best and Cherry lane hit the front well before the third turn.

Once gong back to the front, the talented September ’20 whelp eased on to score by two and a half lengths. Rushmor Queen was a big eye-catcher in second. Staying close to the fence, she came from well off the pace, storming home to grab second on the run in. Swift Halo was another length and a half adrift in third.

The resulting final is one to look forward to. Whatever the result, a few of those in the line-up seem destined to go onto bigger things in the future.

Draw for final:

1 FOREST ICON

2 COOLAVANNY RAVEN

3 SWIFT HALO

4 RUSHMOR QUEEN

5 MOONCOIN WILDCAT

6 DYSERT SHERLOCK (M)