TREMENS SETS THE PACE IN MCCALMONT CUP

Ian Fortune

While he may have missed the kick, Delirium Tremens displayed fine early dash to slip around in front in the second heat of the Frightful Flash McCalmont Cup at Kilkenny on Thursday night.

In doing so, he was the only semi-finalist to receive a clear passage before coming home clear, setting the standard with a 29.11 return.

Both Ruffian Angel and Ballybough Bela broke fast to dispute the running in the early yards but neither could contain the early dash of Delirium Tremens. The Murt Leahy trained son of Ballymac Eske and Knockdrinna Miss was left further clear on the corner as the pack came together.

By halfway, the Tiny Pharma Syndicate owned speedster was upwards of five lengths clear and he maintained a strong gallop to the line to score by six and a half lengths. Black Summer was second while Ballybough Bela was the third qualifier.

NESTOR REMAINS SPRIGHTLY   

Gortkelly Nestor may be a little grey around the snout but the veteran displayed plenty of dash and determination to win the opening heat.

Rowlers Road played a big part in this contest despite finishing fourth.

The flying started cut inwards to the turn rom trap five, causing the inside five runners to get very tight. Gortkelly Nestor took advantage, going up strongly to turn second. He didn’t avoid all the traffic, however.

As he attempted to head Rowlers Road on the second turn, the pair clashed but Andy Murray’s charge quickly recovered. Showing fine pace down the back straight, Gortkelly Nestor took over into the third turn, just containing the advancing Crokers Spirit.

This was to prove decisive with the son of Droopys Jet and Dream Queen easing clear on the run in to score by four and a half lengths in 29.45. Crokers Spirit was second with Lynchy Boy just a half length back in third.

FRIGHTFUL FLASH MCCALMONT CUP

Final draw

1 BALLYBOUGH BELA

2 LYNCHY BOY

3 CROKERS SPIRIT

4 BLACK SUMMER (M)

5 DELIRIUM TREMENS (M)

6 GORTKELLY NESTOR (W)

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DYNAMO RAZOR-SHARP IN BROWNE MEMORIAL

Kells Dynamo was mighty impressive in the Tom Browne Memorial A3 525 as h shot from trap three to make every inch for Thomas Leahy and Seamus Martin.

The son of Crash and Physical Power was never under any pressure as he emerged a three and a half length winner over Carneys Power in 29.08.

LEO TOO STRONG

The second heat saw Kilgraney Leo come out on top for Thomas Buggy and Colin Dempsey. Prominent from the start, he finally got the better of the persistent Kilara Roberto to win by a length and a half in 29.34.