FAITH FASTEST AS LIGHTS GO OUT EARLY AT HQ

Barry Caul

A power cut in the Ringsend area just before 10pm put a halt to racing at Shelbourne Park with the last three races postponed. They will be run at a later date. Of the action that managed to go ahead, Owen McKenna’s Ventry Faith the standout winner.

FAITH A PROSPECT

Ventry Faith came in as a reserve in the third race and, despite not recording a top three finish in his two previous outings, rewarded those that stayed loyal to the Paraic o Murchu’s tracker. Coming away racing from trap two, the Owen McKenna trained tracker, who is a brother to Race of Champions finalist and Lee Strand winner Dashing Toro, was initially headed by the fast-starting Gallant King.

There was little to separate the pair down the far side but Ventry Faith moved on at the third turn. Keeping close to the rails, Ventry Faith came home comfortably clear of the appropriately name Gallant King in second place. The pair were separated by five and a half lengths in a rapid 28.37.

OREO ROLLS HOME

Drumcrow Oreo (Drumcrow Darwin-Ballymac Meo) was costly to follow on debut for Roy Ruddy, but made no mistake on his second outing. Moderately away from one, he displayed fine early pace to lead the fast-starting Benbradagh Rise before the opening bend.

Benbradagh Rise turned into the back straight in a menacing second but seemed to be clipped from behind by Swift Kedisha. Reserve Crokers Fluffy gave chase, but it was futile. Drumcrow Oreo kept his foot on the gas and increased his lead all the way to the line in an impressive 28:77.

NASEEM KO’S RIVALS

Da Bold Falcon was well supported in the second race of the night, but his supporters soon knew their fate after he was badly hampered around the opening turns along with several of his rivals. It was left to the fast-starting Prince Naseem for Kim Bergin and trainer Shaun Conway to try fend off the improving Glenlara Blue.

Glenlara still had four lengths to find approaching the third bend and, to his credit, closed all the way to the line but couldn’t get to the impressive Prince Naseem who made all in a slick 29:85.

SLICK CHICA

Ravenswood Chica made all for a comfortable success for Anna and Gerard Barber when taking the second heat of the valuable This Runs Deep A2 525. Fastest away from three, the daughter of Laughill Blake and Ravenswood May shot to the rails and never looked in any danger once leading. Bristow gave chase for much of the way before the eye-catching Highview Scan ran on strongly for second, but they were no match for the easy winner Ravenswood Chica who stopped the clock in 29:07.

ORLA DOMINATES

Ballygur Orla ran out a game winner of the fifth race on the card for owners William Hanlon and Paul Byrne. Trained by Michael Donnelly, Ballygur Orla was fast away from trap two and led narrowly around the opening turn from Old Chicago. Down the far side Old Chicago continued to press Orla with Uncle Tom now moving into a close third. Ballygur Orla was brave out in front and gamely held off Old Chicago who finished a half-length back second place with Highview Mia running on well from off the pace to snatch third in 28:71.

WUMBLE GETS THERE LATE

Greenmount Bale seemed likely to win the sixth race, He5atr 4 of the This Runs Deep A2 525 when ranging upsides the fast-starting Black Bridges to lead into the third turn. Feelsawumble had other ideas, however.

With Greenmount Bale swinging wide off the final turn, Feelsawumble was afforded room to make his challenge. The Murt Leahy trained son of Droopys Buick and Droopys Saab ran out a length winner over Greenmount Bale in 28.89.

DASH WINS A THRILLER

Less than a length separated the first three home in an exciting finish to the seventh race on the card. It was Sliabh Gcuillian who was first to show and he led for much of the trip with Getup Me Son giving close chase.

This pair dominated to the top bends where the eye was drawn to the slow starting Good Dash for Carol O Riordan and trainer Paul Hennessy. He was making giant strides in behind the leaders. They fanned out across the track turning for home with Sliabh Gcullian and Getup Me Son now joined by the fast-finishing duo of Hendos Dream and Good Dash out wide. It was the lightly raced Good Dash who opened his account at the third time of asking with a big finish to get there, recording 28:85 in the process. He looks a type who will go on to better things in the future.

DIAMOND SHINES BRIGHT

Laurence Jones has enjoyed plenty of success around Shelbourne in recent times and his Speed Diamond ran out a facile winner of race eight. Starting fast from trap five Speed Diamond got the better of Ballybough Carol on the run to the opening turn before opening up an unassailable lead down the far side.

With the leader having winning form over further, the pursuing Highview Coaster had her work cut out. Speed Diamond kept up a strong gallop all the way to the line, beating the fast-finishing Urban Delight who got up to beat Highview Coaster for second in a time of 28:61

NOTHING CAGEY ABOUT PAULINE

Cagey Pauline went to traps as one of the outsiders in race nine for Christopher Delaney and Billy Finnerty, but made no mistake when making all in 29:26. Flashing from Trap six, Pauline led up from Cloverfield Clan.

The latter tried to get up the inside of Cagey Pauline at the third but was forced to check. He renewed his challenge up the inside on the run to the line, but Cagey Pauline was too strong and held on for a brave success.