WHYAYE FLIES IN MERRIMAN MEMORIAL

Ian Fortune

In his relatively short career, Whyaye Man has always given the impression he had pace to burn and on Friday night at Shelbourne Park he rewarded those that spotted his talent early with a stunning display or front running as he set a strong standard in the semi-finals of the Paddy Merriman Memorial A1.

Coolavanny Raven was a good winner of the second heat but there was over five lengths between the heat winners on the clock with Whyaye Man posting a rapid 28.26.

Trained by Robert Gleeson for Martin Langley, the son of Droopys Jet and Droopys Megan really meant business. Going up well from five, the January ’21 whelp cleared Johnny Gem into the turn before putting daylight between himself and his rival in the second half of the contest.

Maintaining a superb gallop all the way to the line, Whyaye Man emerged a comfortable and most impressive four length scorer in 28.26. Third spot went to the 5-4 favourite Undulation, a further length adrift.

RAVEN LEADS LATE

Coolavanny Raven had run into the trouble spots in recent starts but finally got his nose in front in Dublin in the second heat.

Never far off the pace, he was headed by Ross Dame down the back but stayed on well to repel the fast-finishing Urban Captain by a half-length.

Trained by Garry Dempsey for the Craic Only Syndicate, the impeccably bred son of Ballymac Best and Coolavanny Royce stopped the clock in 28.63. Urban Captain was second with Sawdust Good Job a further two and a half lengths adrift in third.