UNCLE AND TRENT TAKE HEADLINES ON SPECIAL NIGHT AT ENNISCORTHY

Ian Fortune

On what was a memorable night at Enniscorthy on Sunday, Angry Uncle and Marlfield Trent took the headlines as both emerged good winners of the two feature races on the card.

Meanwhile, the opening race on the card which boasted an impressive €1,500 to the winner set the tone for the subsequent action with canine superstar Ballinabola Ed winning as so many were expecting.

In what was his first start at Enniscorthy, the one-time English and Irish Derby favourite justified very short odds to lead home the gallant Monbeg Zinzan. Leading early, the Pat Buckley trained Ballinabola Ed was always in control but he was kept honest by Monbeg Zinzan, who finished just a length adrift at the line. Ballinabola Ed posted a quick 28.79.

TRENT ARRIVES LATE AND FAST

The time in the opener was quick but it wasn’t the fastest of the night.

Instead, that came from the aforementioned Marlfield Trent as he ran on strongly to lead late in the final of the Michael Donohoe Memorial Leger.

Caroline Fielding’s powerful so of Laughil Blake and Droopys Alberta was fourth into the turn but moved third down the back straight before pouncing late. It was Picture Parade that took up the pace-setting duties and he led for almost every inch of the trip only to surrender his lead in the closing stages.

Finishing with real purpose and speed, Marlfield Trent got up in the final strides to land the €3,000 prize by a neck in a rapid 28.63. Picture Parade was second with Dysert Sherlock four lengths adrift in third spot.

UNCLE FEELING LESS ANGRY AFTER FINE VICTORY

Angry Uncle won the final of the Kiltrea Kennels Open Unraced in similar style, showing great tenacity and strength to get up in the latter stages for Liam Walsh and Peter Cronin.

Cloneden Flash was favourite after a couple of superb displays in recent weeks but he failed to get loose from trap five and encountered traffic when it mattered most.

It meant that the pace-setting duties went to Swithins Teejay, a brother to the eventual winner, as he led from the opening corner. Angry Uncle began to advance down the back straight and by the third turn he was close enough to mount a decisive bid. Storming home, the young son of Ballymac Best and Angry Lauren went on to score by two and a half lengths in 28.99. Swithins Teejay was second with Coolpeach Flash just a short head back in third.

THREE FINALS ON UNDERCARD

There were three other stake finals on the card.

Cormac Doyle’s Monbeg Tanya was always prominent in the final of the A7 October Members Stake before taking the verdict by a short head from Hes Ordinary in 29.56.

Noel and Ben Freeman were on the mark in the final of the A5 October Members Stake as Rains Annamay stayed on best of all to beat Philipstown Dan by a length in 29.28.

The last of the three supporting finals on the card was wedged between the two big races and Swift Halo led early to run out a ready winner for Peter Nolan and Cora Doyle. The daughter of Droopys Sydney came home over five lengths clear of Swiminwithsharks in 29.14.