BOLGER QUICKEST BUT MCCALMONT CUP LOOKS COMPETITIVE

Ian Fortune

The best was left to last as far as the opening round of the Frightful Flash Kennels McCalmont Cup at Kilkenny was concerned with Burgess Bolger emerging an easy winner of the final heat, posting a fastest of the round 28.98 in the process.

As many as five of the seven heats winners did so on the back of an early advantage but Burgess Bolger failed to set the pace into the turn. He was close to the pace, however, and once taking over between the opening bends, there was nothing any of his rivals could do.

Johnnys Gem led into the turn but was forced out of the way on the corner by Burgess Bolger. Bogger Dusty found herself second entering the back straight but couldn’t land a glove on the leader. Instead, Sheila Spillane and JJ Fennelly’s son of Burgess Bolger and Clear Mountain puled right away to eventually score by eight and a half lengths. Bogger Dusty was second with Boothebest another two and a half lengths adrift in third.

PORT MAKES ALL

Michael Hogan’s Grangeview Port (Grangeview Ten/ Blastoff Khalesi) was next fastest.

Making every inch to contain the persistent challenge of Gortkelly Nestor by three parts of a length in 29.07.

CRUSADER AND TREMENS WIN FROM THE FRONT

Both Delirium Tremens and Deadly Crusader set the pace in their respective heats to stop the clock in 29.18.

Delirium Tremens had to really dig in for Murt Leahy to hold the late challenge of Lynchy Boy by a head. Crokers Spirit ran with promise to finish just a half length away in third.

Deadly Crusader was always in charge in the following heat, seeing off Priceless King by seven and a half lengths. Ballybough Bela was third.

ONE TIME ONLY TOO HOT

As expected, 2022 Champion Stakes and 2021 Laurels winner One Time Only made light work of his task in Heat 3.

He displayed early dash from trap three to lead before the corner. Once doing so he eased on to eventually see off Ruffian Angel by four and a half lengths in 29.23.

FLYING ROAD DOMINATES

Rowlers Road was at his professional best in the opening yards of the first heat.

The Gary Walsh trained son of Laughil Blake and Tiddly Winks rocketed from trap two to slip around in front and he was never under any pressure once doing so. He went on to see of Urban Captain by four lengths in 29.40.

VIEW COMES FROM OFF THE PACE

Urban View ran a huge race to lead late in Heat 4.

Reggie Roberts’ charge was off the pace in the early yards and lost further ground at the turn but he cut through the pack in the second half of the race to lead under the shadow of the post. The son of Droopys Sydney and Urban Time led late to win by a neck over Bulletfromagun in 29.39. Yankee Doodle was a length away in third.