TRAINER PAUL HENNESSY ON THE DOUBLE IN OPENING ROUND OF CORK CUP

Barry Drake

Trainer Paul Hennessy was on double form in the opening round of the Cork Cup at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

Jaytee Wexford, trained by Hennessy for owner John Turner, produced a smart performance to win heat two. Taking over from Ballyboy Deme at the second corner, the 6-4 shot showed plenty of pace to land the spoils. A length back to Ballyboy Deme in second with a further three and a half lengths back to Witches Ethiopia back in third place. A 28.77 winning run.

Two races later, Luna Rocket completed the Hennessy double when winning for owners Michael McGlynn and Wayne Leonard. Mid-division for most of the journey, the 7-4 joint-favourite made her move from the second last corner. Lady Blake had set strong early fractions, but the winner finished much the stronger, getting up in the dying strides to deny the early leader by half a length, in 28.92. A length and a half back to Droopys Highest in third place.

IN OTHER HEATS

Battaash made all the running to win the opening heat in great style. Owned by James and John Nevin, the 5-4 market leader delivered a superb front running display. With the outcome never in any doubt, the impressive winner cruised to a five and a half-length success. Mulcair Jet best of the rest, a further five and a half lengths clear of Lockdown Blues.

Heat three went the way of Bartlemy Jas (Evens) for trainer Kieran Lynch and owner Liam Mannix. A plucky and brave performance to land the spoils, a length clear of Ballydague Bella, in 28.85. A neck back to Ashgrove Moana in third place.

Haven Blue was another to make all the running in heat five. Trained by James Kelleher for Anthony Hegarty, the 3-1 shot was making it back-to-back wins in 28.76. In three grades for a recent success, the improving winner came home with three and a half lengths to spare over Rockybay Rusty in second. A length back to Giddyupgonzo in third.

Heat six went the way of Rowlers Road. Owned by the Liars-Club-Syndicate, the 6-4 market leader flew from traps, showing big early gears, he made every yard of the running to win in 28.79. A fine performance to beat the running on Brogan Highway, by a length and a half, in 28.79. A length back to Ballycowen Luka in third place.

Heat seven produced a very exciting finish with Triangle Ricardo landing the spoils. Owned by Nicholas Nolan, the 2-1 shot had to dig deep in the closing stages to get the better of favourite Toolmaker Zipper. A neck the difference, in 28.69. Two lengths back to Quivers Pebbles in third.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEKEND AT CURRAHEEN PARK

The performance of the weekend at Curraheen Park came in the closing race as the exciting Droppys Nextone clocked a fabulous 28.27 .

An April puppy, the Raymond Hamilton Jnr owned runner was sent to traps as the even-money favourite. Breaking well from the middle of the track, the winner just had enough early pace to slip around in front. Moving six clear to halfway, that lead increased throughout. Showing bundles of pace up front, the classy winner came home 14 lengths clear of her nearest rival. A magnificent 28.27 winning performance for the Johnny Linehan trained runner. A previous 28.45 winner around Shelbourne Park, she's one to follow going forward.