DEFENDER GOES QUICK AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

After a series of fine displays in the Fair Warrior Sprint at Mullingar, Defender made a bright return to four bends at Shelbourne Park on Friday night, posting a fastest of the night 28.37 for Kathleen and Francie Murray.

The talented daughter of Dromana Bucko and Date Due made every inch after a fast start from the inside box to win the Bernard Barry Xmas Oaks Starts Next Week A1 Bitch 525 by two lengths from Innfield Riddle.

BUNDLE FIRES

Droopys Bundle (Droopys Sydney/ Droopys Sweet) also impressed.

he overcame a moderate start from a tricky draw in the stripes to lead on the turn. The Robert Gleeson trained star eased on from that point to hit the line six lengths clear of Kilcolgan Whitney in 28.45.

A KILCOLGAN DOUBLE IN DUAL DISTANCE

Kilcolgan Norman set the standard in the semi-finals of the www.irgt.ie A2/A3 Dual Distance, in turn completing a double for Neilus O’Connell and Karen Geoghegan.

The son of Domana Bucko and Razldazl Annie made the most of the long run to the turn to assert and he went on to see off Noirs Ben by five lengths in 31.39.

His litter brother Kilcolgan Eddie had to work a little harder to win the opening semi-final, coming through to lead on the final turn. Taking over from Town Pearl, he stayed on to contain his rallying rival by a length in 31.74.