WHISPA ROARS HOME

Ian Fortune

The feature of Friday’s action at HQ was the valuable final of the RCETS A1 550 and Ballymac Whispa turned the early round form on its head by emerging a deserving winner for Liam Dowling.

The well-bred daughter of Ballymac Anton and Ballymac Minton had finished third to Leinster Leo in the previous two rounds but was far sharper on the night that mattered. Leinster Leo again made a slick start but so too did Ballymac Whispa and she held up the favourite before making her own move into the turn. 

Both Cocooner and Glory Katy also broke well but they were soon joined by Ballymac Whispa, who had the inside line in her favour. Going to the front on the bend, Ballymac Whispa always seemed to be on control thereafter.

Entering the back straight with two lengths in hand, she increased her advantage to the third turn before staying on strongly to land the €2,500 prize by three and a half lengths from Cocooner in 29.99. Ringthemoon was another two lengths back in third.   

MASSIVE RUNNER LEAVES IT LATE

I wasn’t Liam Dowling’s only winner on the card.

His Ballymac Runner had come from a seemingly impossible position to win the opening semi-final of the This Runs Deep A2 525. Nitro Anto set a strong gallop but Ballymac Runner recovered from a slow start to move a distant third early in the back straight.

The massive son of Ballymac Bolger and Ballymac Cameo flew into the third turn to close on the leader and Mallogs King before pouncing in the closing yards. Ballymac Runner got up to win by a head in 28.96.

ANOTHER NIFTY DISPLAY ROM NEWINN

Newinn Nifty went faster in the second semi.

Simon Taylor’s daughter of Droopys Buick and Newinn Expert is a younger full sister to former Derby champion Newinn Taylor and she too has fine early zip. Going to the front early, the Graham Holland trained youngster was always containing the challenge of We All Matter and she went on to strike the line a length and a half to the good in 28.75.