KINTURK TAKES THE ROAD TO CORN CUHULAINN GLORY
Ian Fortune
The very nature of six-bend racing means that it can often go right down to the wire but Kinturk Road had no such concerns at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night as she produced a truly brilliant front running effort to land the 2023 RPGTV Corn Cuchulainn.
This was a contest that was effectively over after five strides with the Liam Dowling trained bitch coming away racing to dictate from the outset. Unbeaten over six bends ahead of the decider, she hadn’t a moment’s worry as she saw off the gallant Hanover Phantom and the joint favourite Garfiney Blaze.
Frank Thornton’s Kinturk Road was chased into the opening turn by Newport Pier but Hanover Phantom took up the chase off the second turn. The latter closed slightly into the third turn but was cut off as Kinturk Road closed the door at the third turn, effectively sealing her victory.
From that point, the powerful daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Ballymac Arminta was always in complete control. Hanover Phantom shook off the challenge of Newport Pier into the back straight but could never land a glove on the pace-setter.
Behind the front two, Garfiney Blaze and Ballymac Katie closed into the third turn only to find further traffic. It made little difference to Kinturk Road who remained clear at the head of affairs. Maintaining a relentless gallop to the line, she emerged an impressive five length winner over Hanover Phantom in 41.66 on a track rated .40 slow. Garfiney Blaze stayed on late to finish a further two and a half lengths adrift in third.
Kinturk Road now boasts a record of six wins from six starts over six bends, a run that has seen her pick up the two biggest prizes on offer or the stayers. It’s clear she is very talented and could be a force to be reckoned with for some time given the fact that she won’t be two years of age until September.
Rober Catterson presents the trophy to Frank Thornton after Kinturk Road won the final of the 2023 RPGTV Corn Cuchulainn Open750 at Shelbourne Park. Also included are trainer Liam Dowling, handler Alan Bonn, Jane & Ellen Dowling, Padraig and Declan Thornton, Michael Dempsy Racing Manager Shelbourne Park and Ann Shannon GRI. Pic: Imelda Grauer
SIMPLY STUNNING FROM LAHDEDAH
Liam Dowling had quite the night. Aside from Kinturk Road, De Lahdedah looked a potential superstar in winning the RCETS Open 550 for June ’21 whelps and younger.
This was a contest packed with hugely promising youngsters yet De Lahdedah turned it into a procession.
Owned by the Garsuns Syndicate, the son of former Derby champion Lenson Bocko and Ballymac Sarahjo was razor-sharp to the turn, moving to the front into the bend. The exciting duo of Boylesports Bob and Jetara gave chase but neither could match the pace-setter. De Lahdedah was simply brilliant as he ran out a three length winner in 29.44.
BAILEY GIVES TREATY THE SLIP
The Rachel Wheeler trained Annagh Bailey produced a tremendous display to see off Kirby Memorial champion and hot favourite Clonbrien Treaty in the eighth race.
The latter missed the start before flying into turn but he couldn’t get to the fast-starting Annagh Bailey.
Owned by Dan and Peter Stackpoole, the son of Droopys Sydney and Bellmore Fantasy was always going to be difficult to pass. Clonbrien Treaty closed into the third turn but Annagh Bailey kicked on to emerge a three length scorer in 29.66.
DUKE LAYS DOWN A MARKER
Daleroad Duke made a big impression in the fourth race over 550yds, forcing his way to the front into the turn before being left clear.
Thomas O’Keeffe’s charge displayed fine pace around Cork in his previous outings through the Denis Linehan Solicitors Open Unraced and this was his Shelbourne debut.
It was scarcely evident as he quickened into the turn to take charge before maintaining a powerful gallop throughout to see off Box Office Benny by nine and a half lengths in a rapid 29.64 given the conditions. The winner is clearly a very progressive youngster and is one to put in the notebook.
JO JO SO IMPRESSIVE
Cree Jo Jo couldn’t have been much more impressive in the third race as he left a very talented rival standing.
Fresh from breaking the track record at Limerick in the Treaty Cup decider, the son of Laughil Blake and Coolavanny Chick displayed awesome early dash to go clear into the turn and he always had a comfortable advantage over the warm favourite Clogheen Lass.
Despite the best efforts of the latter, Cree Jo Jo emerged a note-worthy winner by two-length in 28.69, highlighting how slow the track was running at this stage of the evening.
ROCKO MAKES IT FOUR
Clona Rocko has been in inspired form in recent weeks and he made it four wins on the bounce in the penultimate race on the card.
Daniel Kerr’s son of Ballymac Bolger and Bellmore Lucy again went up fast to challenge on the outside of the track.
As those on his inner clashed, Clona Rocko ran a tremendous bend to move to the front. It was all very straightforward thereafter. Skipping clear down the back straight, the Michael Taggart trained star ran out a ready seven length winner over Cryptopunk in 28.41.
VIC LEADS LATE
There was a desperately tight finish to the fifth race with John Boyle’s Boylesports Vic finally getting the better of long-time leader Millridge Levi.
The pair were always to the fore with Boylesports Vic challenging on more than one occasion only for his rival to repel him.
It wasn’t until the run in that Boylesports Vic finally got to the leader. In a tight finish, the Paul Hennessy trained son of Ballyhimkin Jet and Hugh Dream got up to beat his rival by a half length in 30.14.
BULLET FIRES
The aptly named Bulletfromagun, owned by the Inos Boys Syndicate, came home in front in the A1 second race over 550yds, making every inch after a slick exit.
He was chased throughout by Hawkfield Abbie but she could never quite get back on terms despite looking threatening off the final turn.
Instead, the Brendan Maunsell trained Bulletfromagun rallied on the run in to emerge a good winner by a length from Hawkfield Abbie in 30.03.
HEWICK WINS FINALE
Tommys Hewick, owned by the Horse that Bought A Dog Syndicate, was an easy winner of the final race on the card over 575yds.
Sent to traps the 4-6 favourite, he soon took complete control. Moving to the front into the turn, he quickly put daylight between himself and his rivals.
Laughil Rocky came through for second but the Michael Donnelly trained Tommys Hewick (Jaytee Jet/ Me Penny) was never under any pressure as he ran out an easy five and a half length scorer in 31.12.
SHOOTING STAR
Kilbride Star shot from traps to put the result beyond doubt in the opener.
The Keeley McGee trained son of Droopys Sydney and Casanova was challenged from behind into the third turn by Milkybar Kid but never looked like being headed. Jerry Connors’ improving tracker went on to score by two lengths from Milkybar Kid in 28.89.
ADRAVILLE IS BEST TO THE TURN
Adraville Best displayed fine early dash to skip around the turn in front in the ninth race before going on to score for Denis O’Sullivan.
The son of Ballymac Best and Mags Chaperal was chased hard down the back straight by Riverside Bocko but stayed on to secure a comfortable three lengths victory in 28.81 (.20 slow).