CHEQUE GOES QUICK IN CUP

Ian Fortune

Cheque For Sir may be a couple of months over two years of age but he seems to be improving all the time with his latest run, in Thursday’s Dublin Cup semis, the best of his relatively short career.

The other heat saw Flaminmoneybags return to winning ways but the headlines had to go to Cheque For Sir as he posted a rapid 28.35 from the front.

Trained by Karol Ramsbottom for the Cash Back Syndicate, the son of Droopys Sydney and Yahoo Ava came into the contest in tremendous form after winning six of his previous seven starts and was installed an odds-on favourite.

Those that took the prohibitive odds weren’t left to sweat. Breaking fastest, the fluent tracker eased into a clear advantage before halfway and eventually coasted home four lengths clear of the staying on Craggan Mor. Press Unlock again ran on well to take the third qualifying spot.

MONEYBAGS TOO SHARP

Flaminmoneybags added to his already impressive tally in the second heat, showing his superb early speed to dominate from the opening yards.

Despite heading for the fence in the opening strides, the son of Laughil Blake and Killaheen Queen comfortably cleared those on his inner.

Owned by the Four Laois, Two Kilkenny Syndicate, Flaminmoneybags entered the back with just over a length in hand on Marshmello but he increased his cushion to the third turn. Marshmello did stay on well but Flaminmoneybags emerged a comfortable scorer by two lengths in 28.61. Jirano Supreme was a further three and a half length back in third. 

GREMLINS UP TO NO GOOD

The gremlins were at play in the opening round of the Shelbourne Marathon with the hare coming to a halt after the opening lap, a full 500yds early.

It means that the semi-final will now be run as part of the opening night of the Winter Racing Festival next Thursday, with the final delayed to the following week.

Both Lyrics Murphy and Garfiney Legend will be in the decider after coming home clear in their respective semi-finals.

LYRIC EASES CLEAR

Lyrics Murphy was first up.

Hitting the front in the closing yards of the opening lap, GJ McKenna’s daughter of Good News and Scissors eased on to see off the early pace-setter Jamies Rocky by seven lengths in 60.33.

LEGEND AN EASY WINNER

Garfiney Legend went almost a second faster in the second heat for Liam O’Rourke and Michael Lynch.

A son of Vulturi, who was a finalist in the marathon some seven years earlier, and Dolcino Rose, he was always to the fore.

Breaking fastest from the inside, Garfiney Legend never saw a rival. Gortkelly Mona did close the gap to the sixth turn but couldn’t maintain her challenge and Proper Rebel came through for second. Garfiney Legend was too good, however. Staying on well, the June ’20 whelp emerged a facile seven length scorer in a good 59.40.