ALDO SIMPLY STUNNING IN IRISH SPRINT CUP

Ian Fortune

Carrick Aldo produced one of the great displays of sprinting to emerge a brilliant winner of the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup at a packed Dundalk on Tuesday evening.

For David Murray and Thomas Glynn, it must have seemed like a dream as Carrick Aldo rocketed from traps to dominate, banishing the ghosts of their previous finalist, Brodys Magic, who fluffed his lines in the 2020 decider.

Carrick Aldo was certainly not short of support in the ring going off the third choice in the betting. Who Have I was warm favourite in the ring at even money, while Rathdown Molly was clear second choice at around the 6-4 mark. Ballymac Samuel, Chelms Skippy and Radical Hero were the three outsiders of the field.

AN ELECTRIC START

Those that stayed loyal to the rapidly progressive Carrick Aldo were richly rewarded but even his most optimistic supporters would have been taken aback by the speed of his exit.

Shooting from trap five like a bullet from a gun, he effectively gave his rivals no chance to get involved.

Indeed, rarely has a classic decider been over so early. Within five strides, he had a length on his rivals and he quickly made it two lengths. Who Have I, Ballymac Samuel and Rathdown Molly were next at traps with Radical Hero and Chelms Skippy the last to hit the ground.

Who Have I and Ballymac Samuel did all they could to bridge the gap into the bend, reducing the margin to a length and a half but there was no chance of Carrick Aldo not turning in front. The presence of Ballymac Samuel on the fence ended the hopes of Who Have I.

As the latter attempted to cut the bend, he and Ballymac Samuel bumped. The advancing Chelms Skippy was no challenging on their outer but Carrick Aldo was gone. Running a fluent corner and showing real purpose of movement as he turned for home, he opened up a three-length margin his pursuers.

NO MORE THAN A PROCESSION

The remainder of the contest was little more than a procession for the hugely talented son of Droopys Sydney and Minnie Hazel galloping onto a famous victory.

Who Have I emerged from the chasing pack to take second but, despite running his heart out, he was never gong to threaten the leader.

Carrick Aldo raced on to emerge a two and three quarter length scorer in a sensational 20.80, the fastest time ever recorded in the final of the sprint classic. Who Have I ran another fine race in defeat in second with Ballymac Samuel just three quarters of a length adrift in third. Chelms Skippy was best of the remainder in fourth.

SOME SUPERB UNDERCARD ACTION

There were some superb displays on the undercard.

Fire Time posted a fast 28.33 to win a supporting open 525 for Ian Reilly, while Pintsnotpilates clocked a decent 21.16 in winning an open sprint for Martin Lanney but the headlines on the supporting card went to the rapid improver Stellas Sparkle as she clocked a brilliant 31.07 on her way to victory in the finale over 575yds. Her time was the second fastest ever recorded for the trip around Dundalk.

The Paul Cronin trained daughter of Laughil Blake and Blundel Spark flew home to lead late for a length and a half verdict over Onetwoonetiger. Owned by Paul Spittle and Deanna Williams, she looks destined to be a top-class stayer in the future.