BOTH BIG AND LITTLE BROTHERS IMPRESS AT DUNDALK

Ian Fortune

Dundalk’s decision to run an open 400 every Saturday night through December is paying dividends as Saturday’s race produced an absolute belter with Mccool Blue emerging a brilliant winner, be it only by the minimum margin from Crafty Bonanza.

Crafty Bonanza flashed form traps and led by over a length after a few strides but Mcool Blue displayed superb early speed into the turn to take up the running. Crafty Bonanza ran a tremendous second bend to carry real momentum into the home straight. As a result, he joined Mcool Blue halfway up the straight only for the latter to rally.

In a desperate finish the pair flashed past the post locked in battle but the nod went to Shea Campbell’s Mccool Blue as he prevailed by a short head in a very quick 21.00.

Incidentally, earlier on the card, Neon Night made an impressive racing debut for Paul James and Ian Reilly. The son of Ballymac Best and Ballymac Natalie happens to be a full brother to Mccool Blue from a repeat mating. The June ’21 whelp is clearly very promising. Despite posting only a 7.23 sectional, he came home clear in 21.23. there’s clearly better to come from the youngster.