RAZOR SHARP HOLIDAY GOES FAST AT KILKENNY
Ian Fortune
Given the very nature of the event, there was always going to be a number of improved displays in the second round of the Champion Open Unraced but that scarcely describes the brilliant performance of Another Holiday as he posted a rapid 28.74.
The Michael O’Donovan trained son of Dorotas Wildcat and Vigorous Lindsey didn’t just come home clear of a talented field but also posted a record breaking 16.56 to the third turn. Owned by Jack Roche, Another Holiday was electric at boxes and comfortably led his rivals into the turn.
Pulling right away down the back straight and home, he eventually crossed the line eight and a half lengths clear of Yankee Doodle. Minglers Nitro was another five lengths away in third.
DIFFERENT GRAVY
Droopys Gravy may not have hit the ground in front in the second heat but Sean Dunphy’s son of Loughteen Blanco and Droopys Isabella displayed awesome early speed to master his rivals into the bend.
Getting across to the fence from a wide draw, Droopys Gravy cleared those on his inner and set about putting the result beyond doubt to halfway. Maintaining a strong gallop throughout, the Robert Gleeson trained August ’20 whelp emerged an impressive three and a half length scorer in 28.96. Blackstone Gorgy ran on well for second with Grangeview Port a long way back in third.
DEADLY ON A CRUSADE
Gary Hannon’s Deadly Crusader came out on top in the third heat. Despite a moderate start, the son of Droopys Sydney and Mysterious Ways went up fast to challenge into the turn.
Lemon Gavin managed to slip around in front but Deadly Crusader was in his slipstream.
Closing into the third turn, the Karol Ramsbottom trained star made his move before the final bend, slipping up the inside of Lemon Gavin. Bobber Bible stayed on to grab second but Deadly Crusader came home with a length in hand in 29.15. Lackenhill was another length and a half adrift in third.
JOCK SEES OFF A TALENTED FIELD
The final heat boasted so many potential stars with an early advantage proving decisive for Tom Lennon’s Lemon Jock as he contained the late flourish of Pablo Escobark.
The son of Droopys Sydney and Lemon Ariana went up fast to clear the turn.
Hot favourite Hes The Greatest missed the kick and found traffic on the turn. Fennis Trigger and Shady Bueno turned closest to Lemon Jock but neither seemed likely to get to the leader, however. Instead, Pablo Escobark came with a withering run to close in the latter stages but it was too late as Lemon Jock held on to score by a neck in 28.89. Fennis Trigger was two and a half lengths further adrift in third.