O’MUIRCHEARTAIGH FLYING FLAG IN NEWCASTLE

Ian Fortune

National Puppy Stake third OMuircheartaigh was flying the flag for Ireland at Newcastle on Thursday evening as he went fastest of the three semi-final winners in the Arc Northern Puppy Derby.

One had suspected he had been sold across the water as he is now under the care of exciting young trainer Tom Heilbron but further inspection confirmed that he is still owned by the Wayne McCarthy led FOMO Syndicate.

Indeed, McCarthy confirmed on Friday morning that they are still the happy owners of the powerful son of Broadstrand Bono and are looking forward to watching him in the final next week. There were limited options for him at this early stage of the year in Ireland so the decision was made to send him over to Heilbron and it is certainly working out well. He may well stay on in the UK for a crack at the Monmore Puppy Derby.

Omuircheartaigh beat a familiar name in Thursday’s semi-finals, leading early to contain the hugely fast Clona Curly. There was just a neck between the pair in 28.54.

DISPLAY IMPRESSES

Incidentally, the second heat went to Droopys Display.

The son of Dromana Bucko looked very useful as he got the better of hot favourite Droopys Eunice. If the pedigree of the winner looks familiar, it’s because he is a litter brother to the hugely exciting Carrick Keano, who ran in the final of the Rural Kennels Open Unraced at Clonmel. Droopys Display came home almost four lengths clear in 28.60 and is a pup to follow. For the record, the final heat went the way of Coppice Saphire in 28.79.