MCKENNA DOUBLE THE HIGHLIGHT AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

Galway hosted a nine race card last night and there were a number of fine performances with Ballygraigue Jim the standout winner over the 550-yard trip.

Trained by Vincent McKenna, who scored a double on the night, Ballygraigue Jim produced an outstanding performance to end the night on a high for joint owners, Thomas and Charlie Bourke. A 3/1 chance at the off, the son of Silverhill Shay and Newlawn Millie meant business from the off as he paced up impressively from trap three to take command. In charge down the back, Ballygraigue Jim showed terrific speed thereafter to put the contest to bed in fine style. Running to a three length victory over Magical Benji in second, the time was a slick 30.04 .20s.

SUPER KICK-STARTS DOUBLE

Earlier in the card, Aulton Super got the double off to a flier for Vincent McKenna as he won at his leisure over the sprint trip.

A 6/4 chance at the off, the well-named Aulton Super was just that at boxes as he pinged the lids from trap two to hold all the aces on the approach to the opening corner. Owned by Patrick Hogan, the well-bred son of Superior Product and Portumna West sealed his first career win in style thereafter as he raced to a five length win over Breaghmore Rob in second. The time was a hot 19.05 .10s.

IN OTHER RACES

In race one, Magical Hugo showed a lovely turn of foot for joint owners Emer Guilfoyle and Cathal Brennan. A 6/4 chance at the off, Magical Hugo didn't come away too fluently from five but he tracked incredibly around the opening bend to find himself in front. Showing brilliant pace thereafter, the son of Ballymac Best and Ballymac Natalie was never under pressure as he ran to a three length victory over Cardi Lilly in second. The time was a good 29.40 .20s.

Seamus Leahy got on the scoresheet in race two as Headford Ash bounced back from a debut defeat to break his duck in style. A well supported 4/5 shot, the December son of Droopys Cain and Annaghdown Sky knew his job at traprise as he broke swiftly from six to clear his rivals into the opening turn. It was a case of how far thereafter as Headford Ash proved a class above his rivals to cross the line seven lengths clear of Greyhford Ireland in second. The time was 29.45 .20s.

The favourites kept on coming and in race seven Feed Me Nandos justified his even money pricetag to hold off the fast-finishing Abigails Mystery. Quickest into stride from trap two, Feed Me Nandos held a decent advantage down the far side and although challenged strongly by Abigails Mystery in the closing stages, the son of Pat C Sabbath and Me Lika Lucy held firm to win by half a length. The time was 29.21 .20s.

In the penultimate race of the night, Fast Fit Drop produced one of the performances of the night as he ran to a virtual solo for John Quinn and Declan McDonagh. An even money shot at the off, the impressive black was chasing a fourth career win and he broke in front from two to dictate proceedings early on. From here, the son of Dorotos Wildcat and Fast Fit Maeve drew clear of his rivals and you needed a set of binoculars crossing the line. Over fourteen lengths separating him from nearest rival, Flyaway Home, in second, the time was a slick 30.25 .20s.