CESAREWITCH FIELD HALVED FOR FINAL TIME

Ian Fortune

The stage is now set for a tremendous conclusion to the RPGTV Irish Cesarewitch next weekend following two high-quality semi-finals on Sunday.

Honour of going fastest went to Toolmaker Beach as he emerged a tremendous winner of the opening semi-final but Beaming Scarlet also went very quick as he saw off the hot favourite for outright glory Magical Mary.

BEACH GOES BALLISTIC

Pierno was installed the warm favourite for the opening heat and seemed to be in charge going to the bend clear of his rivals.

The complexion of the race changed at this point, however, as Pierno seemed to put his foot on the brakes.

In an instant, both Toolmaker Beach and Ballyard Taylor shot past Pierno who then found further problems on the second turn. It was now a two-dog affair, although Willie Hyslop’s Toolmaker Beach quickly asserted.

Easing three lengths clear by halfway, the Robert Gleeson trained son of Droopys Jet and Kilara Lizzie further increased his advantage to the third turn before powering home a facile six length winner in a rapid, fastest of the competition 32.98. Ballyard Taylor was second with local runner Bective Cherry flying up the home straight to secure the third qualifying spot a further five lengths adrift.   

SCARLET DIGS DEEP TO HOLD MARY

The second heat quickly developed into a three-dog affair.

Beaming Scarlet moved with real purpose into the corner to set a blistering gallop, although Glendalough and Magical Mary were soon a clear second and third.

AS early s the second turn it was pretty obvious the winner would only come from the front three. Beaming Scarlet continued to set a blistering gallop for Corona Ryan although Glendalough improved to sit on his heels passing halfway.

Magical Mary sat over a length behind the duo in third but close enough to look threatening. Glendalough ran a better third turn than Beaming Scarlet to momentarily take over at the head of affairs but his lead was short-lived.

Beaming Scarlet slipped back up his inner of the final turn to hold a narrow lead up the straight. By this point Magical Mary was also launching her challenge up the fence. In a desperate finish, Beaming Scarlet seemed to dig deep to repel his rivals. The son of Garryvoe Bobby and Beaming Shiraz took the verdict by a half-length from Magical Mary in 33.04. Glendalough was just a neck away in third.

RPGTV Irish Cesarewitch

Final draw

1 BEAMING SCARLET

2 MAGICAL MARY

3 TOOLMAKER BEACH

4 BECTIVE CHERRY

5 GLENDALOUGH (M)

6 BALLYARD TAYLOR (M)