CERT SETS CARROLL MEMORIAL STANDARD

Ian Fortune

After showing plenty of promise in the recent Bar One Betting ON1 400 at Dundalk, it was perhaps no surprise to see Josie Burns’ Highview Cert emerging a good winner at Dundalk on Friday night to set the standard in the opening round of the valuable Paddy & Eamon Carroll Memorial.

Not everything was straightforward for the Paul Matthews trained son of Mcinerney and Highview Secure but, once asserting as they hit the back straight, he eased on to score by almost five lengths from Barnhill Dancer in 28.94.

A DOUBLE FOR DOYLE AND SMITH

Next fastest were Coolemount Blaze and Makedatup.

The former won Heat 2 for Michael Doyle and Dermot Smith, coming from off the pace to lead on the run in. Although breaking smartly from six, he steered a middle to wide path to lose his place around the corner and was only fifth into the back straight.

The son of Orchestrate and Highview Jewel would improve his position into the third turn, however, setting him up for a decisive late charge. Staying wide of his rivals, he was almost on terms by the time they entered the back straight and powered home to eventually beat Dryland Roxy by a length and a half in 29.06.

Matching that time in Heat 5 was Makedatup, who is also owned by Michael Doyle and Dermot Smith. A son of Orchestrate and Highview Audi, Makedatup was making his four-bend debut but was too sharp for his rivals, leading early to score by four lengths from Ravenswood Roo in 29.06.

CALM ACE GETS UP LATE

Geroge Matthews was on the mark in the opening heat sending out Calm Ace to lead in the final strides for a head verdict over Autumn Darcy.

The son of Ballymac Cashout and Slippery Thelma ran on well to stop the clock in 29.21.

PEAR IN A TIGHT AFFAIR

There was also a tight finish to Heat 5 with Woodcliff Pear (Ballymac Cashout/ Sweet Pear) getting up on the line to beat Ronnies Debruyne by a short head in 29.42.

There was never much between the pair but Woodcliff Pear got the nod for Martin Lanney and Michael Scanlon.

TOM SHOWS PROMISE

Ohtheretom made a successful four-bend debut in the final heat, overcoming early traffic to win for Kurtis Bain and the Liquorice Allsorts Syndicate.

A son of Droopys Got It and Ohtheresky, he rode a bump on the turn before coming through to lead between the last two bends. He would go on to beat Rosies Cashout by two lengths in 29.20 but gives the impression he will go considerably faster in the near future.