Barry Drake
LEMON BUNDEE, in the ownership of Killian Cronin and Kevin Barry, ran out a brilliant winner of the €2,200 to the winner Davy O'Brien Memorial Tri Distance Final at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.
The 6-1 outsider, a popular local winner, produced one of his better starts to turn handy around the opening corners. In a great early battle with Millridge Timmy, the strong running winner was getting the better of the argument from halfway and well on top in the closing stages, the impressive winner pulled right away late on, winning in style. A 31.88 winning run, six and a half lengths clear of Millridge Timmy at the winning line.
Owner by Killian Cronin and Kevin Barry, Lemon Bundee runs out a popular winner of the €2,200 to the winner Davy O’Brien Memorial Tri Distance at Curraheen Park.
BACK TO BACK WINS
In the following race, Ardrath Ali, trained by John Kiely for owner Richenda Kelly, made it back-to-back wins around Curraheen Park with a stunning front-running winning performance.
The 5-2 shot was quickest into stride and the in-form tracker beat a strong field of runners. Always in control, it was a superb 29.93 winning run over the 550-yard trip, two and a half lengths back to Millridge Nadia in second place. (A0).
FANTASTIC PERFORMANCE
In the closing race, Timmys Bucks delivered a fantastic run to land the spoils for young handler Tim Cliffe.
The 5-2 winner displayed a nice touch of early pace to win the early lead and from there, he was always going to take the world of catching. Showing bundles of speed up front, the classy performer clocked 31.06 for the 575-yard trip, with a length back to the running on Da Tapper Flynn in second place.
SMART-STAYING PERFORMANCE
Earlier, in the second, an A1 575, Brogan Hillbilly put on a smart-staying performance to win for John and Marguerite O'Donoughe.
The 6-4 winner did his best running from halfway and he ran out a great winner, in 31.27, five and a half lengths back to Ballycowen Jay in second.
GER GUBBINS CONSTRUCTION LTD A2 STAKE
The opening round of the €4,455 Ger Gubbins Construction Ltd A2 Stake also got underway, producing some good racing on the night.
Millridge Zara went quickest on the clock when winning, in 28.63, for the O'Mahony kennels.
The next best were, Ferryworth Wild in 28.95, and a double for trainer Tom O'Neill with Lemon Orla, in 29.02 and Ballydague Rebel, in 29.03.
Check out Barry's chat with Dan Cronin after the race below.