ALL ABOUT JACKTAVERN BOLT IN THE A1 KASKO DERBY

Barry Drake

JACKTAVERN BOLT, trained by Graham Holland for owners the Pillar Syndicate, once again lit up the Cork track on Saturday night with another top-class performance in the semi-finals of the A1 Kasko Derby.

Sent off the well-fancied 2-5 favourite in the second heat, the in-form tracker made no mistake as he made it four straight wins in the event. Quickly into top gear, Jacktavern Bolt was in front early and the pacey performer ran out a very convincing winner. Always in control, it was another really impressive winning performance, seven and a half lengths clear of Da Gonzo, with a length back to Rebel Ocean in third, the time, quickest on the night, a flying 28.13.

RETURNED TO WINNING WAYS
In the opening heat, Mendelson returned to winning ways for trainer Thomas O'Donovan and owner Gerard Hutton.

After a couple of second placed finishers in recent weeks, the 3-1 shot found himself in front early and he pulled out all the stops at the head of affairs. Strike It Alice kept on well for second, three quarters of a length back, with four and a half lengths back to Bartlemy Droopy, in 28.55.

FIVE WINS FROM FIVE CAREER STARTS
The €1,700 to the winner final of the Curraheen Park A3 stake went the way of Crafty Supremo as the February youngster made it five wins from just five career outings for Shane Divilly and Eimear O'Dwyer.

Just like last week, Star Syd took them along at a strong early pace, but the winner was always within touching distance and the exciting puppy dug deep in the closing stages to maintain his unbeaten record. A 28.50 winning performance, two lengths clear of the early leader.

IN OTHER RACES
Local trainer Kieran Lynch ended the night with two smart winners. In the tenth, an A0, Move To Soon made the most of what looked a fantastic winning opportunity to make all the running, in 28.21, at odds of evens, for owners the Length And A Half Syndicate.
In the closing race on the card, Bartlemy Sham shot clear early and the 6-4 second favourite displayed huge pace up front. A powerful display to beat a strong field of runners easily, clocking 31.13 for the 575 yard trip for owner Liam Mannix.
Elsewhere, Why Pennyash ran out a stunning winner of the sixth, an A2, for John Condon. Pulling clear early, the 5-4 favourite ran out a wide margin winner, in 28.49.
In the fifth, Filibustor delivered a great effort to win, in 28.60. Showing his usual big early speed, the 6-4 winner then kept on strongly to score for Ned Kerrisk.