GOLDEN DISPLAYS HEAT UP PROCEEDINGS IN DUBLIN
Ian Fortune
It may have been a cool evening in Dublin but the action on offer certainly warmed up proceedings with the two semi-finals of the Tote Gold Cup very much the feature.
Carrick Aldo was priced to win the opening heat but he had to work hard before eventually winning in brilliant fashion, while the second heat went right down to the wire with Grangeclare Lady clinging on for a deserving success.
AWESOME ALDO TOO STRONG FOR LADY
Carrick Aldo was sent to traps the 2-5 favourite in the opening heat but his followers had reason to sweat when Kerogue Lady shot from trap five to dictate proceedings.
Carrick Aldo was hot on her heels, however.
Showing great pace and determination, Carrick Aldo drew closer into the third turn before moving around the long-time leader. It would prove a decisive manoeuvre. The David Murray trained star clearly meant business and he quickly put daylight between himself and those in pursuit.
Thomas Glynn’s brilliant son of Droopys Sydney and Minnies Hazel would ease on to beat Kerogue Lady, who again ran her heart out, by three and a half lengths in 28.56 (.30 slow). In Good Time was third throughout but had to dig deep to repel the challenge of Da Bold Falcon to hold on to his qualifying spot, a further two lengths adrift.
LADY GAINS REVENGE ON BLUE
Grangeclare Lady and Hawkfield Blue had a great tussle seven days earlier in the second round with the latter getting up the final strides but the form was reversed in the second semi-final.
Seven Beach was the favourite but he missed the kick slightly and was always playing catch up.
In contrast, Peter Comerford’s Grangeclare Lady was doing her best impression of her sensational Derby winner dam Susie Sapphire, showing great early speed to take the field along out front. Hawkfield Blue and Seven Beach battled it out for second into the third turn with the former winning the argument and he quickly set his sights on Grangeclare Lady.
IN another tremendous finish, the Owen McKenna trained Grangeclare Lady held off her rival with the daughter of Droopys Sydney taking the verdict by a short head in 28.79 (.30 slow). Hawkfield Blue ran a big race in second with Seven Beach finishing two lengths further back in third.
Tote Gold Cup
Final draw
1 HAWKFIELD BLUE
2 GRANGECLARE LADY (M)
3 SEVEN BEACH (M)
4 IN GOOD TIME (M)
5 CARRICK ALDO (W)
6 KEROGUE LADY (W)
******
NO SEPARATING CHICO AND BOY
Without doubt, the closest finish of the night came in the final of the Upcoming Bresbet Easter Cup with Quarry Boy and Bounceback Chico sharing honours after the judge failed to separate them.
Quarry Boy forced his way to the front on the corner or Paula Heffernan with the son of King Sheeran and Mean Beauty then setting sail for home.
In contrast, Bounceback Chico turned third although he was certain to finish strongly, as he did seven days earlier in the semi-finals. Owned by Anthony Kehoe and William Byrne, the son of Wolfe and Jaytee Jordan began to close into the third turn before making his move on the run in.
In a tremendous finish, the pair flashed past the post locked in battle with both stopping the clock in 30.70 (.30 slow). to highlight how close it was at the finish, Le Pepinillo and Old Chicago were just a neck and a half length behind the front two.
LORD BACK TO WINNING WAYS
There were two impressive winners in the semi-finals of the Shelbourne Park Regulars A0 525 with Glory Lord going fastest in the second heat for Barry Clancy.
A narrow leader into the bend, the son of Droopys Sydney and Glory Lady continued to hold a narrow lead over Basking Shark into the back straight before pulling away in the latter stages. He would go on to win by four lengths from Basking Shark in 28.85 (.40 slow).
FREYA JUSTIFIES FAVOURITISM
Silverhill Freya was sent off an odds-on favourite in the opening heat and was always in the driving seat for Graham Holland and Eugene Buckley.
The daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Silverhill Joyce burst her way to the front on the corner and proceeded to claim her first victory since capturing the Christmas Oaks by three and a half lengths in 28.97 (.40 slow).
REGIMENTAL THE TRI DISTANCE STAR
Refgimental was the star of proceedings in the opening round of the Barking Buzz A1 Tri Distance, charging home in the last of the four heats to win by an ever-widening margin in 30.26 for the 550yd trip.
Pivatol Time set the pace early but was under immediate pressure from Curraghmorecoco, who challenged on the third turn. Regimental was always too close in third, however, and Michael Phelan’s powerful son of Good News and Good Poppy made his move around the front two between the last two bends.
Pulling right away, the Scott Phelan trained star would go on to win by four and a half lengths from Curraghmorecoco in 30.26 (.20 slow).
JIM ALWAYS IN CHARGE
Swithins Jim provided Peter Cronin with a good winner in Heat 2.
Owned by the Swithins Syndicate, the son of Ballymac Cashout and Cloncunny Peecee made light work of his task, moving to the front early before dominating. In what was his first start beyond 525yds, he held on to beat Typical Bono by three lengths in 30.41 (.20 slow).
A COMFORTABLE FLIGHT
Urban Flight won Heat 3 in similar fashion for Reggie Roberts.
Sharpest at trap rise, the son of Dorotas Wildcat and Droopys Megan quickly built a near three length advantage. Templeville Meg did close into the third turn but Urban Flight kept finding and would go on to win by two lengths in 30.52 (.20 slow).
THIS BEE STINGS
De Beeswing (Malachi/ Burkos Dream) may have been last into the first turn in the opening heat but she stayed wide of her rivals, avoiding traffic to take charge into the back straight.
Saleen Mateo did emerge from the pack and looked a serious threat but De Beeswing, owned by Megan and Genia De Souza stuck to her task to win by a length in 30.78 (.20 slow).
BEAUTY WINS THE FINALE
On a night when there were a number of odds-on winners, it was somewhat apt that Drive On Beauty won the finale at 4-5 for Chris O’Donovan.
The hugely talented daughter of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Alice outpaced her rivals into the turn to dominate before coming home three lengths clear of the fast-finishing Youandme Babe in 28.84 (.40 slow).
FRED COASTS IN
Racing commenced with the high class Dunnanelly Fred making virtually all for Damian Maginn and owner Doonan Richie.
A finalist in the National Puppy Stake at the end of 2023, he had an interrupted 2024 but has returned to form in recent months and was always in charge on this occasion. The son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Ring rode a bump on the bend to shoot clear and proceeded to cruise home five lengths clear of Lotto Other News in 28.76 (.20 slow).