HOLLYWELL BROTHERS LAND BOTH SWEEPSTAKE FINALS AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

There were a couple of sweepstake deciders on offer at Galway on Friday night, and it proved a ‘Hollywell’ takeover as both Merlin and Buster landed the spoils in their respective finals.

The first to prevail was the Alison Coxon-owned Hollywell Merlin in the October Unraced ON2/3 350, as he coursed around his rivals to arrive late on the scene. Running from six, the 2/1 chance broke well from his wide berth but was forced to play second fiddle to the blistering early speed of Small Few Quid in one. ‘Merlin’ had plenty of work on his plate at this point as he ran extremely wide off the final bend; however, the son of Ballymac Bolger – O Mahoney soared up the home straight to overcome a four-length gap and chin Small Few Quid by half a length on the line. The time was a smart 19.34.

The ‘Hollywell’ double was completed in the Upcoming Sweepstakes S5/S6 350, as litter brother Hollywell Buster finished with a flourish. Owned by Hugh Keleghan, ‘Buster’ was chasing a three-timer on the night, but the 2/1 chance broke only third behind Peteles Prospect and Burnpark Cashout. Showing fine track craft to get onto the rails, he quickly powered past Peteles Prospect to take charge and thereafter stormed up the home straight to win by two lengths. The time was 19.21.