CHICO STEALS HEADLINES AT ENNISCORTHY

Ian Fortune

After briefly fluffing his lines in the second round, Optic Chico returned to his brilliant best to set a blistering standard in the quarter finals of the Future Champion & Michael Fortune Memorial Unraced at Enniscorthy on Monday night. 

The Robert Gleeson trained star broke fastest but was headed into the turn by Burgess Supreme. The later stayed tight to the fence to move on by over two lengths but Optic Chico was in a different league in the second half of the contest.

Motoring into the third turn, he joined and headed the leader before easing clear. The hugely talented son of Droopys Sydney and Zola Princess pulled right away to emerge a facile seven and a half length scorer in a brilliant 28.55. Burgess Supreme was second with Ballyroe Buckeye over eight lengths back in third.

A SWEET RUN BY TOFFEE

Not far behind him on the clock was Toffee Man as he left his rivals chasing shadows.

Now owned by Chris and Patricia Flanagan, the exciting son of Droopys Jet and Palermo broke fast and quickly asserted along the fence.

Once doing so, the Peter Cronin trained star eased on to eventually come home seven lengths clear of Roanna Fiona in a sizzling 28.61. Donishall Lola was the best of the remainder in third, a length and a half further back. Given his rapid rate of progression, its clear Toffee Man could be a real star going forward and he is certainly one to keep an eye on.

BORA A TREMENDOUS WINNER

Niamh Murphy’s Ballinabola Bora displayed real determination to slip around the field on the opening turn.

Moving on at the second bend, she got first run on the hot favourite Glengar Martha, who found a little traffic on the bend.

This was to prove decisive. Despite the best efforts of Glengar Martha, Ballinabola Bora was never going to be picked up. The daughter of Pestana and Ballinabola Mia stayed on well to contain her rival by two lengths in a very useful 28.85. There was a three and a half length gap top the third qualifier, Haka Carlo.

BILLYBOY WINS MESSY AFFAIR

Heat 2 was the messiest of the of the four heats. Here Vivaro Billyboy came through to score despite missing the kick.

Kiltrea Ned led early but was involved in crowding at the third turn and this allowed Vivara Billyboy to come through to lead late. Kenneth Busteed’s son of Kinloch Brae and Right So Belle hit the line a length and a half to the good in 29.41. Bazz Manto also found plenty of traffic before finishing second, while Droopys Clone was just a short head away in third.