NO PAIN FOR BARRIER BACKERS IN DUBLIN

Ian Fortune

There was some wonderful sweepstake action at Shelbourne Park on Friday night and plenty of fine displays but none could live up to that of Pain Barrier as he clocked a sizzling 28.15 to set the standard in the opening round of the Guys And Dolls A2/A3 525.

Indeed, it will be his final start in A2 company for some time as he left his rivals standing on the way to a wide margin success. Trained by the newest member of the Hall of Fame, Brendan Matthews, the son of Ballymac Bolger and Dolce Vita was in a league of his own.

Going to the front early, he would ease right away to eventually beat Town Lucky by eleven and a half lengths. One suspects, Brendan Matthews could well be eyeing bigger prizes with his promising youngster in the near future.

PEP IN HIS STEP

Le Pepinillo also impressed on the clock, posting 28.39 in the opening heat for Roy Ball, Trevor Pearson and handler Micky Corr.

The son of Ballymac Bolger and Coolavanny Chick was a winner over 750yds seven days earlier, so it was no shock to see him coming home clear once hitting the front early.

Posting a 2.03 sectional, La Pepinillo made every inch to see off Vivaro Ceyian by an ever-increasing four lengths.

SYD GIVES RIVALS THE SLIP

Stephen Parker’s Airdown Syd (Newinn Taylor/ Airdown Rena) was the other winner on the male side of the draw.

Again making every inch to win by five lengths from Meenagh Milan in 28.85.

ME GIRL FASTEST OF LADIES

Daniel Ornstein’s Getup Me Girl was the fastest heat winner on the female side of the draw.

The Mark Robinson trained daughter of Malachi and Please Blossom was dominant, leading throughout to get the better of Da Bold Rose by four lengths in 28.63.

SISTERS COME TO THE FORE

As it happens, the two remaining heats went to litter sisters Chelsea Pat and Nushkas Best.

Both daughters of Ballymac Best and prolific brood Killeeen Princess, both would race prominently from the outset.

The Laurence Kelly trained Chelsea Pat would have a protracted battle with Droopys Goddess but stay on best to score. Owned by the Manor Racing Syndicate, the May ’21 whelp would see off Droopys Goddess by a half length in 28.89.

Nushkas Best would win by the same margin. Owned jointly by Maureen Finnegan and Arthur Ryan, she would contain the staying on Innfield Coco by a half length in 29.06.

RECOVERY INITIATES MATTHEWS DOUBLE

Earlier on the card, Recovery would initiate a double for Brendan Matthews in the opening heat of the Sporting Press A3/A4 575.

A well-bred daughter of Malachi and Love Island, she would go to the front on the turn before easing on to beat Tartan Grace by five lengths hi 31.25.

BILLY ALWAYS IN CHARGE

Chris Delaney’s Cagey Billy would run out a comfortable winner of the second heat.

Making every inch after a fast start, the son of Pestana and Lilly Lula would emerge a five length winner over Cayan Lady in 31.42.

PATRICK FASTEST IN A3 STAKE

There was an improved display from Georgina Gibbons’ Croagh Patrick in the semi-finals of the Update Your RCETS App A3.

Forcing his way to the front on the bend, the Declan Crossan trained son of Ballymac Cashout and Sliabh Liag would go on to beat Stringer by two lengths in 28.87.

HOFFA TOO HOT

Paul Ryan and Michael Taggart were on the mark in the opening semi-final with Blackstone Hoffa making all to win the second heat.

The son of Coolavanny Hoffa and Calzaghe Jan would go on to win by two lengths from Raha Maverick in 28.96.