SUPER SETANTA IMPRESSIVE IN JOE MANGAN MEMORIAL SEMIS

Peter Farrell

The Joe Mangan Memorial semi finals featured on the undercard at Limerick on Saturday night and Ballymac Setanta again outlined his immense talent with a runaway win in his semi final contest

Owned by Liam Dowling, Ballymac Setanta was quality last time out as he powered to a 28.37 victory and the January 24’ pup was expected to make it back-to-back wins. That said, he was to face another opening round eye-catcher in Velvet Ring, however, that particular buckle didn’t materialise after the latter wasn’t afforded any type of run at traprise. In contrast, Ballymac Setanta recovered from a tardy start to motor up the inside of his rivals and lead around the opening bend. In doing so, it was always going to be a case of how far thereafter. Holding a two length lead entering the second bend, the son of Ballymac Kingdom - Ballymac Art quickly trebled his advantage at the midway point. Now running to a virtual solo, this was another hugely impressive victory for ‘Setanta’ as he raced to a seven length win over Tipsy Ailbhe in second. The time was 28.35 .10f.

In the second semi, Weekend Drinking made every post a winner for owner Cathal Meaney. Sent off as the 6/4 favourite, the daughter of Ballymac Anton - Laughil Irene broke smartly from her striped berth and she took a three length lead into the back from Ballygibba Milly in second. Bright Malachi showed an eye-catching turn of speed at this point to storm into second, however, despite his best intentions, he fell just short as Weekend Drinking prevailed by three parts of a length. The time was 28.98 .10f.

LITTER DOUBLE FOR SNUGGIE

In race four, the final of the ‘Race Entries By Text A2 525’ was up for grabs and the €850 to the winner final was landed by Snuggie Battie for Breda Casey and Myles Cummins.

It was Lauras Pick that set the gallop in this contest as she broke best of all to hold Snuggie Battie by one and a half lengths into the back. The latter bided his time well down the back before going neck and neck with his rival around the bottom two bends. Showing good stamina thereafter, the son of Jacob Tashadelek, a 5/2 chance, crossed the line with one length to spare over another fast finisher in the form of Rockstar Willie. The time was 28.72 .10f.

The double was completed in race eight as Snuggie Tasha claimed a fourth career success. A 5/2 chance at the outset, ‘Tasha’ didn’t receive the cleanest of passages early on from trap five as Tally Ho Rose shot into a clear lead from one. However, the daughter of Jacob Tashadelek - Miles Girl, a litter sister to Snuggie Battie, made rapid inroads into an eight length deficit to fly past Tally Ho Rose in the closing stages and win by an extending one and a half lengths. The time was 28.57 .10f.