BARRY TAKES SHELBOURNE FEATURE

Ian Fortune

Karol Ramsbottom and Sean Malone have shared many a success as a combination in the past and they were at it again at Shelbourne Park on Thursday night with Sober Barry landing the feature, the final of the Christmas Party Night A5/A6.

Sent to traps the 4-5 favourite after a sub 29 second run in the semis, he had to work for his victory, stalking the fast-starting Millbrook Dancer for much of the way before pouncing in the closing yards. 

The pair bumped on the run in as the tiring Millbrook Dancer edged to her right but Sober Barry wasn’t going to be denied. The son of Skywalker Barry and Sober Pearl went on to beat his rival by a length and a half in 29.08. 

SAPPHIRE FASTEST IN MONTHLY NOVICE

Earlier on the card there were some decent efforts in the opening round of the December Monthly Novice ON2 with Danikas Sapphire posting the fastest time of the night in Heat 2 as she emerged a facile winner for Stephen Townsley.

A litter sister to recent Puppy Oaks winner Ballydoyle Tina, Danikas Sapphire chased the fast-starting Fancy Fada into the back straight before moving through the gears to assert on the third turn. It was a most impressive maneouvre from the daughter of Ballymac Kingdom and Ballydoyle Rossa. She went on to win by an ever-increasing seven length margin from Fancy Fada in 28.94.

TULLY WINS WELL

Less than a length behind her on the clock was Razldazl Tully as he emerged a comfortable winner of the opening heat for the Dazzling Syndicate.

A well-bred son of Ballymac Best and Razldazl Mya, he shot to the front in the early exchanges and proceeded to dominate for a two and a half length victory over Alian Kylie in 29.00.

A CLANCY DOUBLE

Barry Clancy recorded a double in the remaining heats with Rolo Kate and Aviendha.

John Schofield’s Rlo Kate won the final heat. A daughter of Malachi and Distant Sal, she struck the front early to see off Ardera Harbey by a length and a half in 29.19.

Mark Boland’s Aviendha completed the Clancy double when always for the fore in Heat 3. The daughter of Dromana Bucko and Illa Tahin saw off the challenge of Rearin N Tearin to the third turn before containing the late charge of Abbeyville Bee by a short head in 29.64.